I'm not overly adept with cars, however I'm learning. Keeping on top of my 8's care requirements is a joy and a learning experience at the same time.

I have a question in regards to the methodology of changing my tranny and diff fluid....

I looked over the very insightful tutorial pictures, and have a near clear sense of how to go about this process.. so ultimately my question is if this process I'm thinking of is a bad idea..

I was going to do this change with one jack.. my plan was to jack the car up juuust so I can get under there enough to undo the fill and drain bolts.. then place the collection pan... then undo the jack and let the fluid all drain out... then jack it up juust a little again to insert the pump, again lower the jack all the way down and fill it up with the pre-specified amount of fluid... then jack it up one more time to set in the new crushable washers and replace the plug....

Is this a bad idea to be jacking the car up repeatedly on one side like this? I dont have access to a lift I can use, and the thought of using 4 jacks and climbing under the car doesnt seem too appealing to me (*squish*)..

I havent done anything yet.. just something I was thinking about for the weekend..

Any info on if this is a baaad idea would be greatly appreciated..

 

I would think going under a car with just one jack would be a lot worse than with 4 "squish". Unless you have back up supports.

 

Invest in some jack stands.

 

Better yet take it to the shop and get a good breakfast while you wait.

 

Proper jacking and safety for working under the car is covered extensively in the Tech Garage forum. If you don't like the 4 jackstand approach, use ramps and 2 jackstands.

Since you are new to fluid changes, I hope you know the proper disposal practices. Most states require facilities that change oil to take waste oil from consumers (Jiffy Lube etc). If the ones in your area do not, then your local sanitation dept, highway dept/dept of trans, city or county should offer a collection site. Bring the fluids as well as the used oil filter and even your oily rags.

Whatever you do, do not dispose in your trash or dump it somewhere.

 

These fluid changes are not called for until 60,000 miles, if you have put 60k on your 8 already i am impressed....

 

Ok cool.. thanks for the advice guys... those jackstands sound like the way to go..

60k miles? Nah, I would have shot myself in the head already for doing that to such a young car...

I read on this board in the tech section that its a good idea to do this after you first get the car.. after 3k miles to replace the fluid to get rid of all the metal filings (which I read can accumulate extensively in the time frame).. I also want to relpace the existing fluid with Redline..

Maybe you should be thinking about doing the same sometime soon LOUS? *shrugs*

Beachdog.. loud and clear. thanks for the heads up

 

Not to be a wise ***, but if you have these filings after 3 k ,would you not have them every 3k meaning doing the fluid changes every 3k? i realize the 8 is a different car but this could get very expensive. and if the filings stop i would imagine that there would be nothing left to wear ? imho.

 

He's talking about the break in period. It isn't going to continue doing that for the rest of the car's life.

The RX-8 is different (motor wise), but the transmission is nothing out of the ordinary. This applies to all cars.

 

As good as modern CNC machining is, there are always some rough edges that are going to get knocked down. That's what breaking-in means.

There are better quality fluids out there than Mazda puts in from the factory. If you want to stick to the factory schedule fine. That'll keep your warranty in force. Some of us do these changes much sooner.

 

point made and heard

 

I plan on doing the change more for the chance to run the Redline fluids than for the filings, which I'm assuming aren't that big of a deal or the maintenance schedule would be different. The magnetic drain plug captures free metal.

But I have read many good reviews of the redline fluids in this forum and also from Miata owners, in terms of improving the feel of the shifting.

 

Thanks again for the help... I do have another question though..

I called my Mazda dealer to get the crushable washers.. they didnt have any and said it would be a while before they get them..

I figured I could get the same thing at an auto store such as Pep Boys, but I'm real fuzzy about what the size is...

transmission drain plug (24mm)
transmission fill plug (24mm)
differential drain plug (24mm)
differential fill plug (23mm)

I found those specs, but Im guessing thats just the size of the socket I use to refasten them to the specified torque figures...

So yeah, Im at a loss about these washers I suppose... I'd even buy a new plug if it came with the correct washer.. I just dont think I know the size.

Any help would be appreciated.. Im sure its real simple..

 

Takes about 2 days for the parts from Mazda....about 20is for all

 

sorry.. whats 20is?

 

Two ramps and two jackstands.

Back the car up the ramps, it's rear wheel drive so it will climb nicely.

Put in gear, and heave on the handbrake. Now it is nice and solid you can jack up the front onto jackstands, steady as a rock, ain't goin nowhere.

Now you can put your precious Redline Synthetic in. 75w90 GL5 in the diff, and MT90 GL4 in the tranny. Clean the magnetic fuzz off the drain plugs, don't worry about the crush washers, they are good copper ones, can be reused 4 or 5 times before they are 'crushed'.

60K......... who would leave their oil in for 60K?

S

 

I had my tranny and diff fluid changed at the dealership when I took it in for an oil change (free oil change). I just gave them Red Line fluid to use. I thought about doing it myself but changed my mind. I can drain the fluid without problem but refilling it will be a bit of a problem. I didn't want to go buy a turkey baster or other devices to fill the fluid from below. More problem than it's worth.