Transmission woes
 

I have a 2004 with 60K miles. Last winter the synchromesh died for 2nd gear and they rebuilt the synchro as well as replaced gears 1-3. I don't baby the thing, but I don't abuse it either. For example, I got 56K miles on the front brakes and am still riding on the original rear ones ..

I have a 7 year extended warranty...

However, I have experienced several times not being able to find any gear when downshifting. I hear occasional whirring sounds in second gear .. This usually happens worst and after coming off of the highway, But it has happened when doing straight city driving. The dealer can't make it happen, so they can't fix it.

I am in a dilemma .. should i trade this thing and cut my potential losses or does someone know maybe what the hell might be wrong with it? :confused:

do u rev match when u down shift?

Ah man, sounds like shoddy repair work on your tranny. I had some issues with gears wearing (grinding) on mine at around 40K miles, got two gears replaced and it has flown like butter since. If i were you i would try to find a reputable Mazda dealership, actually go with the guy on the test drive to be sure he is driving it the way you are to replicate it. Alot of times these tech guys will just take it for a 1/2 mile drive around the block, come back and be like "feels fine". You have to be there to make sure the tech drives in the manner needed to replicate the problem.
In my case the gears would only grind going into 3rd and 4th at 6k rpm or higher. So i had to be sure they were taking the car to at leaast 6k prior to shifting to 3rd. First dealership i went to sadi they couldnt replicate it and refused to take the car above 6k rpm due to "legal ramifications of accelerating in that manner"...what a bunch of sissies. I then went to a reputable dealership and they found the prob right away and fixed it.

xsniper: When I double-clutch (always revs to match) the issue is bypassed. The dealership wants my VIN to give me a ballpark on a new transmission!? Good grief. they want $1800 (18hr*100/hr) plus parts to fix ...

Their transmission person also said I can drive it double-clutching for as long as I want to do that. I own it, and considered it a keeper .. but now maybe not .. 2009 does suggest I could get a used one .. but I aint so sure.

jones: the garage hasn't seen the car yet. It always grinds into 5th so finding it won't be an issue. I was sort of hoping someone would say it wasn't the syncro ..

Thanks for the feedback

8yr thread bump. nice. the rx8 trans are know to wear synchros from people not doing maintence and abusing gears

You're replying to your own post from ~7 years ago!?
Did you just not do anything with the car for that long?

Lol since this thread has been brought back to life..
Can someone give me a quick run down on what maintenance is required for the tranny.
I do my fluid flush at 30k kms with redline stuff for tranny and diffs.

Mine grinds mostly when i shift at 7.5+k rpm going from 1st to 2nd and 3rd to 4th..
Rest is smooth under 7.5k rpm gears shift smoothly.

I've owned an 8 for 3 years now, still got so much more to learn :-)

Any insights will be greatly appreciated

Cheers,

keep up on fluids, maybe a syncro saver, dont slam gears and dont let others drive your car. also instect your clutch pedal bracket for cracks. some people buy the re enforcement kit, i just welded mine

Since I installed axial short shifter it made the grinding more obvious.
Though, I love how crispy it shifts. My bracket is welded as well.

Can I install Synchro savers with Short Shifter?

Thanks,

Yes

My gear grinds on high rpm pass 7k on 2nd and 4the gear. I just recently change the transmission fluid to redline, but I do feel the smoothness of switching gears under 5k. I just think my synchros are going 😢