Aston Martin DB9 Manual 1st & reverse gear select difficult

[3LDN]

Hi guys

I've had my 2005 manual DB9 for almost a year now and and have noticed over that period selecting 1st & reverse gears is becoming more and more difficult, so much so that I am sometimes having to gentley pull away in 2nd then then quickly select 1st and this always seems to happen when I'm at traffic lights with a queue of traffic behind. Once on the move the gear selection is absolutely lovely.

Before deciding to post this I have spent many weeks researching this subject on various forms including this one and the common theme suggests the need for a clutch bleed and maybe transaxle fluid change too. The gear linkage would appear to be fine.

I welcome thoughts and thanks in advance for anyone that can provide any suggestions and advice.

Many thanks

[V8V Pete]

I wouldn't be surprised if your clutch is dragging and if it's 14 years old (how many miles has it done?) then it may be time for a new one. How heavy is the peddle?

[3LDN]

Sorry I should have said, the car has covered 13k miles with FAMSH

[john ryan]

Clutch drag is not particularly associated with age or wear. I would change the fluid, and bleed the system carefully. Cheap, and probably effective. Failing this, you have an expensive dismantling exercise, as part of which you may as well spend the extra for a complete clutch and release bearing change. This latter will help you sell when the time comes.

[8Tech]

Almost certainly needs a clutch although clutch fluid that has absorbed a lot of moisture could cause it, but unlikely.

I suspect the poor clutch has had a hard life in its 13,000m and would be 95% sure, thats what you will need.