Difficulty shifting into reverse....
 

For some reason, my RX8 has trouble shifting into reverse (6 Speed manual). I do everything correctly, but unless I ram it into gear, it won't go into reverse. My dad's corvette (1984 4 + 3 transmission) has the same issue, but if you rev the engine a couple of times it goes into gear fairly easily.

Any ideas? I don't know why it's doing this.

Try putting it into another gear (maybe 1st or 2nd) first, then try reverse. Or if it does not go into reverse on the first try, let the clutch up briefly and try again.

Has it always done this?

Ken

try doing a search. this is a diy on how it works.

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-how-use-search-function-rx8club-com-forum-73846/

here is a link that already covered this topic

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/shifting-into-reverse-100389/

Put it into 1st then go straight into reverse, thats the smoothest way to do it. i test drove about 15 of these things i wanna say about 12 of them had a problem with reverse.....and man does it sound like shit when its not really in and you grin the shit out of the gear.

Don't slam it! Make sure you push down. It has to be a full push down. This must be down before you move the stick.

It's Groundhog Day. This sounds exactly like a thread from last week.

I completely agree regarding the grinding sound. not only does it seem like I'm hurting the transmission every time, it's also extremely embarrasing to do it in public. I even had someone approach me and ask if I knew how to drive manual.

It's been doing it close to the whole time. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I'm actually glad to hear the majority of them do it, because at least I know it's not an issue with my car.

And of course, I push down. It's the only way you can go into reverse anyway. It normally looks like it's in reverse, it just doesn't connect all the time.

Roll the car forwards or backwards a little and it should go right in. It's because there is no synchro for the reverse gear.

Great! For those who offered advice, I appreciate it.

I don't think the majority do it. I've only driven two RX-8s (the dealer's demonstrator and the one I bought) and neither had a particular problem. There was a bit of "How the f*** do you get this thing into reverse?" the first time, and ocasionally I'll wind up in 6th instead of R if I'm not paying attention. But if you're paying attention and can't get it in, something is wrong.

Ken

I think people use the word "push," as in "push the shifter down." But what they mean to say is "press."

To shift into reverse, press the shifter down, and then slide it over to the right and down into reverse.

Sorry, it's just the tech writer in me :)

Every car I've ever owned needs pretty much a shift into first and then reverse to shift into it...
My FC3S RX-7 does it, too.

Some cars do need it more so than others.

Actually rx8s have reverse synchros... my old one is currently sitting in a bucket in my kitchen.

i've had the same issue since day one, sometimes reverse is hard to put in.. i just lean the gear against the reverse and let the car roll a bit and it will just pop in. The rear does have a syncro but it aligns when the gear is put in to first gear, that's why some people do that before reverse is engaged. I just let it roll and it works as well... good luck

Your clutch pedal may be breaking.

i have absolutely 0 problems w/mine. but i heard the s2 r3's have a different pattern

Check your clutch pedal for any play and for when the clutch actually disengages. I had this exact issue after changing out my clutch (and engine too). After a little adjustment everything was peachy.