So I am building my 8 for racing and did a few runs to get a performance benchmark. Its a 2004. While driving normally, shifting is seamless and effortless. However, at high racing speeds and rpm, shifting to 2nd is a little tough/sticky (but goes in without any grinding, but with a little extra effort) and shifting to 4th grinds, unless waiting a second and slowly pulling it into gear.

Now, even after the test runs, driving normally (slow street speeds) shows no problems with shifting, every gear goes in smoothly.

Last night I had a pro racer check it and he didn't even get it into 2nd gear before releasing the clutch (of course because he was expecting that the gear would go right in without much effort).

I have also been having some difficulty getting it into reverse. I pretty much have to pull it in forcefully, to ensure that it is in all the way, as there are times when I put it in but it does not go in completely and when I release the clutch it grinds. This reverse problem has developed recently. Reverse was fine up until a month or so ago.

1. Are the 2nd and 4th gear on the same synchro?
2. Does this sound like the synchros are bad or going bad? Is this replaceable/easy to replace or repair?
3. Would a synchro problem cause problems with reverse?
4. Does it sound like the 2nd and 4th gear problem is link to the difficult reverse?

Any other suggestions as to what the problem could be and how to repair it? I am planning to change out the tranny oil, but want to know what you folks think.

If you need any additional information let me know.

Prodigy

 

reverse has no syncro, usually requires a double clutch. It sounds to me like a syncro. I had the same problem with my 04, are you still under warranty?

 

Sounds like Syncro's...hopefully you can get warranty work done.

Off topic, does anybody else have the issue to where you put the car into reverse, but for some reason it doesn't fully go in and when you start to let out of the clutch and give a bit of gas you hear a "ERRRRRRRRRRR" clicking/grinding noise? I have to put it in first then reverse to resolve that. Silly trannys.

 

Yea, thats normal, there is no syncro in reverse.

 

With the exception of your 2nd gear issue, I am encountering the exact same problems on my 2004. You couldn't have explained it better. 4th gear is DEFINATELY a syncro. Unless you have an extended warranty, any syncro work will be out of pocket. I haven't had that work done yet, so I have no idea how much that will cost. My understanding is that every gear has its own syncro, at least that's been my experience in the past on other cars. I would therefore suspect a different issue may be occuring with 2nd gear. It sounds to me like you may need to have your tranny looked at. It's possible something became misaligned. I don't claim to be a tranny expert, but this has been the case with similar incidents I've encountered on my past vehicles. Good luck.

 

yeah no synchro in reverse so it will b harder than any of the other gears as for the others 2nd and 4th is not on the same synchro(at least as far as i know compared to other trannies i've had open) and it could b a synchro or possible a shifting for bent especially if you are slammin gears pretty hard it's possible to bend a shifting for and f things up to where it will grind if still under warranty have it check out at the dealer if not 1 do it yourself if you know what ur doin or 2 take it to a tranny shop and have them check things out

 

I have a 2004 with the exact same problem as well, 2nd gear, 4th gear and sometime reverse is hard to get in.

<b>If the car is still under warranty (tranny+engine) and it's not the extended one (regular 5years/100,000KM) why wouldn't it be covered?</b>

Personally, it's almost impossible to downshift to 2nd gear if engine is reving above 6K. I have to brake till 65Km/h (so about 4,500rpm) to get into 2nd.
4th gear is hard to engage only when shifting from 3rd gear and redlining. I always feel a grind or a *bone* when shifting to 4th. Pressing hard on the clutch and shifthing hard is the only way to get it in 4th 'smoothly' (not so smoothly acutally).

For reverse, if it's not properly engaged (and you feel it when it is, it goes deep down) it will popup and grind when letting out the clutch.

I changed my tranny/differential oil 4 months ago and used Redline. I can't say that it helped...

I'm also getting the Axial Flow Short shifter soon, but I doubt it will help as well (certainly won't solve the 2nd gear problem).

It such a shame that everytime I want to downshift to 2nd gear Im affraid, I can't rev the engine, always have to go down to 4-5K to get into 2nd.

If the car is not all about the gear box, handling and reving, then what is it all about?

Plus I'm pissed that everytime I see my dealer for some engine problem, he finds a way to tell me that it's not covered by my warranty.

Since it seems to be a Synch problem, is there any chance it could be covered by the warranty? If not, how much should it cost to get fixed (approx. ? 500$, 1000$, 2000$, wtf?!? $? )

Still, we love the 8.

 

I bought my 2004 RX8 and shipped it out of the country down to the Caribbean. There is a Mazda dealer down here, but they don't sell the 8. The car is at 89000 miles. Would the warrenty still be usable on this 8 to get the tranny problems fixed? If the warrenty is still good, does anyone know if I could simply take it to ANY Mazda dealer for the repair?

 

I Get The Same 4th Gear Grind EvEry Time At High Speeds...I HAVE TO WAIT LIKE 3 SECS FOR THE SYCHROS TO LINE UP OR IT JUST GRINDS....

 

I got the same issue, I'm getting ready to switch to GL-4 fluid with a quart of Syncro-Mesh (has worked in the old RX-7s) to see if it will help alleviate the problem. Just waiting for the rain to stop up here, kinda sux having the garage taken up by my RX-7 right now as I rebuild it's full suspension.

 

The drivetrain warrenty was extended in the US to 5/60. You are beyond that. If your dealers are familiar with Miata transmissions, the RX8 is similar for rebuild purposes. Your dealers should be able to order the parts or a complete trans. Or, you can order a good used unit from Mazmart and have it shipped to you.

 

So can anyone explain why the synchro problem wouldnt be covered by the tranny warranty (the 5years/100,000KM warranty) ?

What does the tranny warranty cover then? ....

 

Switch to Mobile One oil.

You have to pull back towards you, hit your rib cage, not straight back for second gear.

 

I had tranny problems too but from 2nd-3rd and reverse. mazda said it was a syncro problem and it was covered. I got a brand new tranny though. helps to have a friend at mazda

 

Blown syncros can be the result of abuse, and abuse is not covered under warranty. Basically, it's the dealers call if it's under warranty or not. Bring donuts with you when you ask for it to be covered under warranty.

 

yes abuse is not coverd

 

Donuts. LOL.

 

Why would you want to do donuts in their parking lot before warranty work. Seems counter-productive.

 

they covered my syncros under warranty..

 

I second his suggestion. I just switched yesterday, to redline mt90 in my trans, which is a GL-4 fluid. Used redline 75/90 in the differential. I had no grinding, yet have read quite a bit the last few days about people using a GL-5 fluid in their trans, and it attacks the synchros. Something about an additive in the GL-5 doesnt like brass/copper/zinc or something like that. I suggest trying to change to a good GL-4 fluid.

As for the reverse quirks noted above, I have them too. Seems to be the norm.

 

I know since I put in the AF short shifter about 2 months ago 6th got a little rough at times. It doesn't grind and goes in smooth most of the time though.

 

mine does that too... all you have to do is put it in reverse, and when it only lets you go in halfway just continue to put pressure on it pulling it into reverse. note: it doesn't take a lot of pressure. then just release the clutch and give it gas as if everything is normal and right before the gear is engaged you will feel the **** slip into gear without grinding

i have some 2nd gear issues, pretty bad. however no 4th gear issues.

any1 know how much it is to get 1 or all of your synchos replaced?



oh, also if you use GM synchormesh + fm in your tranny its like liquid gold.... makes your shifts feel like butta.

 

Also, check your trans fluid. Mine felt notchy and I looked under my car and had a trans leak. Fixed than and all was well. IDK, just a suggestion since Ive had extensive trans issues myself.

 

MY DADS CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM TOO!!!..he has 64000 miles with a 100,000 powertrain extended warranty from the dealer. Will it be covered?

 

depends, probably not.

Mine was covered while I was still under B2B