RX-8 shifting noise
 

I have a new rx8 and when shifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd there is a clinking noise. Also, when I downshift from 4th to third it does the same. Anyone have the same problem?

I noticed if you suck at shifting the 8 (as I did when learning), it would clink as my timing of the shifts/how long the clutch was held in sucked...also if while downshifting it is clinking...try downshifting at a lower RPM...and try rev matching your downshifts.

synchros- 1st 2nd and 3rd have triple cone synchros- thats teh sound of thesynchros doing their job- as you get used to / more experienced with this tranny you'll hear that sound les and less.

I still remember when I heard that 'other' sound when downshifting...tried putting it in first when I was still going 9MPH...scared me when I started hearing a whining sound...

That would definitely explain the noise...but, when I went back to the dealer and test drove another RX, it didn't make the noise at all! Any suggestions?

Replace the tranny and differential fluid with a synthetic like Redline and the should help with the noise.

A lot of people have the clinking and hard shifting on the 1-2 shift, particularly when cold. Does it improve as the tranny warms up? My 2nd-3rd shift went away with time (about 1,000 miles).

You might take it to the dealer and have it checked out. Have it noted on your work order so that if you ever have trouble in the future, its documented. Even Car & Driver noted the tough shifting between 1st and 2nd.

Mike

Yes, its best to let the tranny oil warm up before you go crazy with shifting.

what does yours sound like? mines a crunchy, rattling noise that just started 50 miles ago and it now has over 17K miles...

I am wondering if it is that same thing, but i highly doubt it. mine makes a noise ONLY when I apply gas

Thank you for all the input!

I actually did bring it to the dealer and they had it for two days. They claim that they didn't hear or feel the noise. I took the service rep out on a test drive and he heard it. He is getting the Mazda rep to come to the dealership and make a determination. They changed the differential fluid to a thinner weight, but it didn't make any difference. I now have around 3500 miles on the car and it is a little better going into 3rd, but it is noticable in 1st and 2nd.
I would like to try the synthetic differential fluid, but I thought you weren't supposed to use that on a rotary engine. I know the motor oil is not supposed to be synthetic.
The sound is kind of a clunk-clink. I an duplicate it also by moving the shifter towards 1st without my foot on the clutch. It make the same noise that it does when engaging it properly. I will keep you all posted after the rep checks it out. Do you think there is any advantage to getting them to rebuild it versus a new transmission? What about the synthetic differential fluid...is that ok?
Thank you for all the help and input!

I thought synthetic fluids were the way to go for the 8 as far as Tranny and Diff. Aren't Redline and Royal Purple synthetic?

Synthetic oil for the engine is debatable but tranny and diff definitely should get synthetic. I thought the stock fluid was synthetic?

One of the salesmen told me it was synthetic but a lot of times they are uninformed so I can't be sure. I recently read somebody on here saying they were going to replace it with synthetic so maybe it doesn't. :dunno:

I changed the differential fluid to red line synthetic and there is no change in the noise. I have an appointment at the dealer. Supposedly the Mazda rep is going to take a look at it. Not sure what this guy is going to do. They say that I can't speak to him directly.

One Big Joke... Dealing with Mazda that is! The rep test drove my car (without me being present) documented that he heard and felt the noise that I described and said that this is a normal characteristic of the car. He indicated that he drove a demo for a month in the past and it did the same thing. I test drove another two brand new rx8's in the dealership and they don't have this characteristic. This is very disappointing! The service manager essentially gave me lip service and said he would speak to the rep. The result was the manager telling me that there was nothing he could do and couldn't override the rep. I requested the rep call me for about the fourth time and finally he did. The message on my phone was from a person named Mr. xxxx. I wasn't very surprised to hear that a person supposedly working in a customer service capacity wanted me to address him as Mr. xxxx. So mazda really is interested in selling their but not interested in their customers. Anyone else have a similar situation of Mazda refusing warrany repair?

If its not hard to shift into the gears that make noise, I don't see why you should make a fuss about this, just get them to have a record of the complaint and when things do break, they can't refuse warranty work.

why would you change the diff fluid and expect to have a change in the feel of the trans?????

se hablo troll??? or are you trying to be smart..

and if you were not able to ride along with the rep you are an idiot..

beers :beer:

I get the same thing, but as far as I know its normal.

You have to be rude when you talk to a dealership, if u're nice, they think u're a sheep and do whatever they want.

but if u show them that u're a tiger, they will follow whatever YOU say.

enough said.

a YEAR later i stumbled across this thread, and it did answer all my questions about the tranny. and yes, the dead has been awakened.

For the longest time I had wondered if it had double or triple syncros in the top 2 or 3 gears. I know the 8's tranny really is holding together WORLDS better than the T45 Borg-Warner in the SN95 Cobras.

Just to add to the convo too, i noticed my 2-3 ca-chunk sound to disappear around 10K. The 1-2 shift sound still is somewhat prevalent but seems to be getting quieter. I could see this as normal wear.

And bravo for the triple syncros mazda. I'm impressed.

My tranny sounds like an old bus tranny in low gears and there's a bolt action rife sound at times but it shifts like a dream, functions fine. Thought that was normal. I did the Royal Purple recently and it feels smoother with less noise.

It could possibly be a slight difference in how the clutch pedal is setup. My 8 also made slight noises when selecting gears and the cure was to make sure the clutch pedal was pushed all the way to the floor before making a gear selection. I was missing it by about 1/4" and that was all it took.

1.3L