I have this weird gear whine when I shift 1-2 and 2-3(may do it in other gear just alot more quiet). It's also very faint when driving around in gear but much more apparent when shifting.

I'll try to explain this as best as possible.

I bring the rev to 5k in 1rst, push in clutch and while I shift in 2nd this when this high pitch whine goes from high pitched to low pitched as if something is slowing down quickly while rubbing on metal. Once I release the clutch in 2nd all is fine, it will do the same in the 2-3 shift.

I'm thinking this is sounding like the main input shaft slowing down between shifts, a sort of bearing noise from fast to almost stopping. Input shaft bearing going south?

Another suggestion that was given to me(a much cheaper one) is the release bearing going south not allowing the input shaft to spin freely when pressing the clutch(seems to make sense when I think about it).

anyone got a clue?

 

What year is the car?
If it is under warrenty bring it in?

Did you buy it new or used?

 

04
50k miles
bought used
Out of warranty of course otherwise it would have went to dealer.

 

I've been experiencing what you describe as of lately...

Come to think of it, I've been hearing this sound ever since I installed the AFE SS. Do you have the AFE SS too?

 

The sound is 100% normal. It's apparent in all RX-8's and especially apparent when you have the AFE SS.

 

That sound you hear are the synchros and they are amplified in the cabin when using the AFE SS. Also make sure your trans fluid level is full.

 

No short shifter here, I wanted to check the transmission oil too, that was on the agenda todayé

My friend that was with me yesterday has an 07 with 30k hard driven miles on it and his definitaly does not do it. This is how I found out that it's "not a normal noise".

 

It isn't so much that any of us consider the noise normal as much as it is the tranny, especially the older ones, make the noise and there isn't much Mazda will do about it.

 

After taking an 04 with 70k kms for a test drive from a dealership this week-end, i'll chalk that one up to a normal noise. It did the exact same thing.

I ended up changing the transmission oil to Castrol Syntec since I could not get my hand on Redline right away, it has quietened the whole thing a little. I'm not sure when was the last oil change was done.

 

hmm. odd, a lot of people complain about this problem, mine only does that when downshifting from 2nd to 1st...

 

ummm... you should never really have to downshift into first....that could be really dangerous but im assuming you know what your doing. ^_^

 

I'm not going to lie, I don't know what I'm doing. haha, I only downshift into first if I am about to come to a stop but have to make 2 turns one after the other or something like that... and i don't let go of the clutch until I'm at a complete stop, but while the car is moving if I downshift into first while holding in the cluth I'll hear a whirrrrrring sound lol its pretty hard to describe... thats the only tranny problem I feel, and i bought the car used with 36,000 miles on it and it now has 55 and I haven't had a problem with the transmission since It's been purchased

 

That's just the tranny working hard to match up with the motor!! I'm haveing a dif thing going on with mine like sometimes it's harder to shift from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to third other times it slides right on in!! But it has been very cold latley so I'm thinking the oil isnt warmed up yet!!

 

What a way to revive an old thread. 80% of those responders above are probably not as active anymore.

 

I do my best