fullsmoke

Saw a few huge posts on tranny issues but didn't find one that related to my issue. I am not sure if this is normal or not, but when I am at a full stop with the clutch pushed all the way down to the floor, when I push the shifter into first, somtimes you can hear like a 'thud' noise and a very slight jolt when the noise occurs. I've taken it in before because the 6th gear seemed tight, but Mazda said nothing was wrong--just put it in neutral and try 6th again. 1600 miles, brand new 2004--not sure which flash (my build date on the door says 1/04--which flash do I have?) FS

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Go48

If the car is FULLY warmed up and has been idling at the warm idle speed of about 750 rpm for a few seconds, and the car is completely stationary, you should not get a thud-jolt when shifting into first gear. Could be a clutch problem so take it back to the dealer and duplicate the problem for their mechanic with him in the car. Don't accept their no-problem response.

If you are not satisfied with their response, calmly tell them you are not satisfied and that you are going to contact MNAO. If that doesn't get their attention, go ahead and contact MNAO. There have been clutch problems with some 8's as you, and Mazda, are well aware.

fullsmoke

Yes, it is fully warmed up. Sometimes when you let off the gas the rpm does not immediately drop to 750 rpm--it will hover around the 1000 range and then slowly decline. Could it be because I put it into first when my rpms are still in the 1000 range? On that note, is that slow decline supposed to be there?

FS

Go48

Could be. If you depress the clutch and instantly shift into first, that could be causing the thud-jolt. Try letting the revs drop to normal rpm, depress the clutch, wait 2 seconds (count um) and then shift into first. (Of course, the car must be at a complete standstill.) You should not feel any thud-jolt.

Keep in mind that first gear is primarily intended for starting off from at a complete standstill. Although it IS possible, using the proper technique, to shift into first with the car in motion at a slow speed.

Don't know, but I doubt that it's any thing to be concerned about unless it takes a LONG time to drop.

fullsmoke

I've only had the car for about half a week now. I can't remember about how long it takes for the RPM to fall to 750, but it isn't long. I think the thud-jolt usually happens when I come to, say, a 4 way stop--I don't come to a complete, complete stop and so I just throw it back into first. When I do this, I usually take it out of gear and let rpms settle before I put it in first again, so I am not just throwing it into first while rpms are up. I own 3 rx7s and drive the living hell out of them on the track and have never felt this problem before.

Next time I'm crusing I'll see how long it takes to fall to 750 and see exactly what causes the thud-jolt. Any other ideas?

Thanks
FS

Go48

I think shifting in general will improve as the tranny wears in a bit. You may also want to eventually (i.e., after break-in) replace the tranny oil with a synthetic like Redline. There is a definite improvement in shifting smoothness with the syn oil. Might want to change the differential oil while you're at it, too. Keep in mind that they take different types of oil. There is an excellent DIY in that section of the forum that details the process.

army_rx8

royal purple royal purple royal purple..hehe i have it and i love it..no sounds from teh tranny anymore...she is very smooth ...granted she never had any loud noises befor i switched to synthetic (about 7k miles ago)..but the tranny seems smoother now:D

Silver_04

Mine unfourtiantly has this clunk whenver I shift into gear while the car is rolling. It clunks only once when the car is standing still. After taking off, Clutch pushed all the way in, grab second, CLUNK, grab third CLUNK. Coasting up to a light, I can make it go clunk, clunk, clunk by moving the shifter from 1st and second with the clutch pushed all way in. Passengers don't seem to notice, sounds/feels horrible from the drivers seat. So when I took it to the dealer I had the tech drive it. He of course found everything to be normal.
I will need to know what exactly the problem is and point it out to them if I am going to have any chance of having it resolved. I am try to ignore it, I admit it's lessoning a otherwise enjoyable experience. I would like to try swapping out the fluid however I am concerned that it will eventualy just grenade itself and I don't want to give the dealer any excuses as to why it's my fault.

army_rx8

how can changing out the fluids void your powertrain warrenty? i mean as long as you put what is required in it no problems. not like you are gonna fill up your tranny with diet coke....b/c we all know that regualr coke is what's required:p

ezrider55

My dealer changed the tranny and diff for me. So no warranty worries.