Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

Let me start by saying I'm not a trasmission expert. When I shift from 1st to 2nd above 5k rpm my tranny grinds. The only way I can prevent the grinding is to double clutch. Does this mean my second gear syncro is trashed? Will the dealer cover this?

Wing5

Ur still under warranty Rodger right? Ya, that's definitely something the dealer will take care of. Remember when my tranny took a crap, no 6th gear at all, Galpin replaced the whole thing.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

I've got 38,000 miles on the car. It's an early 05.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

nope, however, the dealer did replace my clutch peddal bracket about 3 months ago.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

The pedal sounds normal.
Temp seems to have no effect on shifting.
The clutch starts grab about 2/3's the way down.
The brake fluid is only 2 months old.

During everyday driving, the car shifts perfect.

What do you think it is?

BullitHockey

had the same problem. grinding in 3rd in 4th gears. took it to Mazda they are fixing it for free because its under warranty. I only have 25k miles on my car. Anyone have any idea how long this takes to fix?

Stavesacre21

agree with bullit, you have nothing to worry about simply because you should be covered under warranty. Good thing too, cause it usually requires a good grand or so to cover the bill. In my cobra, it was a $1600 tranny simply because of one bad syncro (1st to 2nd). Love and cherish that warranty.

and for what it's worth, yea it does sound like a tranny syncro going. I've dealt with it numerous times after buying used cars. It sounds distinct. By your description, sounds exactly like it.

8is>enuff

I would guess your defective clutch bracket caused excessive synchro wear, due to the clutch never fully releasing when you pushed the pedal down to the floor.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

I did some more testing last night and found the cutoff for a smooth shift is more like 6000 rpm. My main worry is that the dealer will say "you shouldn't be running the engine that fast anyway in 1st gear (+6k rpm)" Will this problem get worse? If I wait 3 months, will it be doing it at 4k rpm?

savedsol

I took mine into the dealer and said I couldn't do the 1-2 shift at redline. It was in for a few other things but they said they had no trouble. Next time I get a chance I'll take them for the drive or sit and watch. I haven't hit it ONCE! Some are saying the switch to Redline has eliminated the problem for them. I won't get around to tranny fluid until 4/1.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

I replaced the tranny fluid with synthetic fluid at 13,000 miles.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

Do I need to replace my fluid? Is 25k miles the limit for tranny oil?

savedsol

30k

nycgps

iTrader: (1)

I will replace the stock fluid sooner rather than later.

Madhops

I had a syncro problem between 3rd and 4th gear with 40,000km on the car. Told them it only happened when the RPM was greater than 5K, so the mechanic and I went for a ride. Sure enough, it was the syncro, and they replaced it for free under warrantee. You should be fine, just take it in. If the car can rev to 9K, 6K is nothing, especially in 1st gear., and you're not even going that fast, so dont' worry.

Rhythmic

That is sketchy, especially since my syncros make plenty of noise. Where exactly should you look to see if you clutch brakety is broken? My clutch pedal does make a squeeky noise when I press it in...

mycargofast

I just took my car to the dealer today because of the same problem...shifting from 3rd to 4th with the tach at or above 6k, the tranny grinds. I will let you know what the results are.

fanaticz

Same problem. Although my experience with one of the customer reps wasn't all that great. I had a problem shifting between 1st and 2nd at higher RPM's. I bring it in and one of the guys test drives it. He ends up driving it like he stole it. He tried forcing it into gear at 9K 4 times, downshifting into 1st gear at 30mph, basically dragging it.
I complained to the service manager and found out this guy isn't even a qualified technician. He wasn't even supposed to test drive my car! I requested they look at my clutch too since all I could smell was that wonderful burning smell when we got back to the dealer. I'm not all that familiar with the mechanics of a clutch, but I was wondering if a clutch can get burned up even after one hard drive.

8is>enuff

The one's I've heard of come off the firewall, but I would check the entire pedal assembly.

Get under the driver's side dash, push the clutch pedal down and shine a flashlight at the part of the clutch pedal brace that is welded to the firewall. Move the driver's seat back and lay on your back to get the best angle at it. There are two tack welds - one on each side. Several people have had these welds come loose and crack off. I'd check the entire thing while you're under there but concentrate on these welds.

Rhythmic

^ thanks. Anything I can check myself w/o having the dealer touch my car is a plus.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

well, add me to this group..

For a while I thought I was just being a noob and couldn't get the 1st to 2nd gear properly but recently I've noticed that it's ONLY at the high rpm range. (6000 +)
If I try and upshift, it grinds so I throw the clutch back in, let the revs settle, then reshift.

If I try to downshift, it grinds going in. I've got an appointment on Thursday...wish me luck.

Derex'8

iTrader: (4)

This is ridiculous...The weakest link on this car seems to be these damn synchronizers. Can stronger synchros be obtained for our trannys? Well as mentioned I'm checking in here. Been experiencing this for a while now.

Before I swapped my tranny fluid the other day I was experiencing the grind @ 4500 an up from 3rd to 4th and now that I put Royal purple Maxgear 75w 90 I'm getting the grind @ 3500 an up WTF? How long is the turnaround if the dealership replaces your internals or tranny? I'm bringing it to them & I hope they honor my warranty?

I have a few suspension mods, intake, and exhaust. These can't be used against me right? for warranty work...

musclecarconvrt

Jedi54, My '04 has 73k miles on the clock and I've had the same high rpm shift grind in 2nd and 4th for the past few months. With the warranty long gone, I was getting pretty worried.

I tried changing the trans fluid out with dyno and then Moblie One Synth with no luck. Two weeks ago I filled up the trans with BG SynchroShift II. GREAT STUFF Shifting in all gears is much more fluid and no more grinding all the way to 9k. Of coarse it isn't going to magically heal my worn synchros but it's made a world of difference and I've got to believe it's extended the life of my trans.

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

I'm already running Royal Purple Max Gear 75-90

Derex'8

iTrader: (4)

Well I have a meeting with department head @ mazda monday. There a decision will be made to honor my warranty or not. This gives me time to build a defense so throw me some suggestions.

Fella told me that my perfomance modifications void my warranty. I would understand that if I had some kind of drivetrain mods but I don't. Intake, exhaust, and suspension thats it. He also mentioned that damaged to the synchro was more than likely caused by a high speed miss shift to my recollection I have never mishifted on this car...