3rd and 4th grears grind randomly with clutch all the way and no throttle
 

Hi, I just got my 2004 MT with 50K. I used to drive a Nissan 240SX manual and the shifter in RX-8 feels pretty close to it.

I believe the clutch in RX-8 feels really strong compared to 240SX (but nothing a man can't handle)

When I shift to 3rd I have the grind on the shifter as if I didn't press on the clutch, but I have it all the way down and throttle is completely depressed with engine rpm at 1K. It doesn't happen all the time and I could shift to 2nd with no issue while the 3rd would grind. At the same time if I put to 2nd and raise the car speed to 40MPH (from 30 MPH) there would be no grind. Similar thing happens with the 4th gear.

Is there a thing in RX-8 that I can't shift to 3rd while at 30MPH? Because 2nd seems to low to shift when I'm doing 30-35MPH.

Or is it something else like throw-out bearing or clutch? Is it underwarranty? My car has drive train warranty till 2008 July or 60K.

Thanks.

Your clutch is gone. Might be transmission, but almost guaranteed your clutch is dead.

Clutch pedal bracket.

have you ever changed the trans fluid? if so what did you put in?

Charles,

I get a grinding noise every once in a while when shifting into 5th...is my clutch pedal bracket wearing?

No other gears do it (yet)...and I have noticed that my clutch feels softer than it did a few thousand miles ago...I'm at 12k.

Thanks,
Filip

Im with CRH

try to *tap* your clutch lightly to see if you can hear any *click click click* or squeaking sound. if yes, then I guess its time to crawl down and look. but most likely its broken.

Want to know why I know? Cuz mine just BROKE (it seems like it)

I can still shift now but, Im going to try to get a new one ASAP. for now, I just asked my father to *weld* the side for me a little ... due on monday. if it holds, Im just gonna hold on to it. I know I could just get it done at dealership, but it takes too long. my time worth more than 200 something bux (the bracket cost)

Was gonna buy an AFE short shifter, but now I'm not so sure...in case I have trannie issues I don't want the dealer blaming it on my SS.

Good idea on holding off of the mods until the issue is resolved.

The metal that the bracket is made from is notoriously wafer-thin and the welds are quite prone to failure, especially near the 50K mark.

Im @ 36K right now, going 37K.

Damn, I asked my father to see if I can weld it back, he said not sure, do you think is possible? I mean its just for temporary of course. till yours comes out I guess. better than buying a new one that will fail again in 37 K miles.

Whats the diff? I see 2 numbers

FE0541300B Peda l- Alum
FE1541300B Pedal - Std.

the Alum one cost alot more, I think thats the one I have right ? 163 bux or something. I have a Shinka

That's the number for the pedal and not the whole assembly. The bracket is warrantied, btw, to 60K.

If you need to buy one Mazmart has them and I have an extra one laying around. BTW, my bracket kit will also include a stronger pushrod as those bend with HD clutches, too.

I also picked up the bracket from my machine shop and will get back to working on it next week.

So where is this bracket located? Why only in 3rd and 4th?

I know the bracket has warranty up to 60k. but its hard as hell to do it at dealership .... at least NYC dealerships. they're simply blind/lazy/too dumb to do it ...

Mazmart has them? New ? ... let me ask them ...

Mazmart's stuff is used but it might as well be new. I bought two for my bracket project and they looked nearly new.

Then the dealer tech you met must be really dump. I could strip my 240SX down all the way and put back together myself. A clutch is nothing.
I think I'll make a list of things to do and bring it to the dealer to make an appointment.

not sure about FL, but the 3 NYC dealerships I've been to ...

I mean I can still shift fine, and Im Thinking of replacing my clutch. might as well do everything together.

its freezing like hell outside right now(20 ish degrees), maybe I should drive the car down south to ur place just to do it LOL

I drove the car a few dozen miles today and I identified the issue was shifting into the 4th. 3rd has no issues.

Basically when I try to move the shifter around 1-2-3-4 etc, all of them shift fine except 4th. When I shift into 4th or move around it such as 3rd the shifter seems to move in a wrong groove and grind. If I line up right when I shift into 4th it won't grind.
There's also this whinning noise when the engine is started and idling. It goes away when I push the clutch.

Also the shifter makes quite a lot of noise when I move them from gear to gear with the clutch pressed. Is that normal?

Thanks

My tech friend told me the 4th syncros are just about gone. I'm going to replace the trans along with clutch plate and leaking rear main seal.
The trans fluid was jet black and the rear diff fluid was slightly red.
I put in 75w140 Mobile1 GL-5 in the trans and 75w90 Mobile1 GL-5 in the Diff.

Maybe bent shift fork? These trannys are notorious for that.

if yours is 2004, it could be the shift fork. I thought there was a TSB for that ?

If you're still under warranty, 50K miles right? you should still have powertain warranty, which should cover the transmission.

Theres 4th gear syncro ?

anyone have link to transmission related recall papers? If the dealers try to BS with me I'll show those to them.
Also the Rear main seal should be covered under warranty, right? If I buy my own clutch plate and tell them to install it, how would I know if they don't steal it?

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/bulletins.html

All here, Tommy should update it again today or something.

I just left the car at Mazada Avenue dealer service. They said because my car is out of bumper to bumper warranty (50114 miles) there will be a $48 inspection fee. Is that reasonable?
What price should I get for a clutch plate and Oxygen sensors? Autozone sells the front OE for $330 and rear OE for $140.

at 8 k, and 1 side of my clutch pedal bracket is squeeking when pressed, I have some issues getting into first........I have to press the right side of the pedal and it will shift smoothly

rofl cakes

The driveline warranties were extended to 60K and includes the transmission.