Snychro update--new tranny not a rebuild
07-30-2007, 05:19 PM
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: N.E. Ohio
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Snychro update--new tranny not a rebuild
Got a call from the dealer today regarding the 04 MT we have with 35K miles. They pulled the tranny and found not only was the 5th gear synchro gone but at least 3 gears (not synchros) were chewed up badly requiring the whole tranny to be rebuilt. Mazda decided to replace the tranny complete and not do the rebuild--thank god. Car should be back in 2 days.
So, here we have an August 03 build with 35K miles, driven by my wife 95 % of the time and most of that time spent on interstates at 70-75 MPH that needs a new tranny. No gear banging or powershifts.
What is the story on this? Bad QC at Mazda? Bad material from a supplier? Who makes this tranny and how did it go so bad so soon?
Hate to say it, but I think we're all done with this one. I do want to say that this board has provided an incredible amount of info on this car that has been very helpful in dealing with the various problems and recalls.
So, here we have an August 03 build with 35K miles, driven by my wife 95 % of the time and most of that time spent on interstates at 70-75 MPH that needs a new tranny. No gear banging or powershifts.
What is the story on this? Bad QC at Mazda? Bad material from a supplier? Who makes this tranny and how did it go so bad so soon?
Hate to say it, but I think we're all done with this one. I do want to say that this board has provided an incredible amount of info on this car that has been very helpful in dealing with the various problems and recalls.
07-30-2007, 06:10 PM
#2
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
bummer on the transmission, but at least they're fixing the problem.
I had my transmission replaced after 30,000 because 2nd and 5th gear were also chewed up. I've put 2k on the new transmission and the shifts are SMOOOOOOOTH.
Keep us posted, Good luck.
I had my transmission replaced after 30,000 because 2nd and 5th gear were also chewed up. I've put 2k on the new transmission and the shifts are SMOOOOOOOTH.
Keep us posted, Good luck.
07-30-2007, 06:30 PM
#4
stop flooding ur engines
that trans aint new for the rx8.....its been around. so any probs ur having cant really be "omg this car sucks" problem.....
mine shifts like total **** and its at 28k and the 3-2 downshift grinds like a boitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im afraid to call it in and they make me tear it down to see the prob and they make me rebuild it....eeeeek no thanks......
mine shifts like total **** and its at 28k and the 3-2 downshift grinds like a boitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im afraid to call it in and they make me tear it down to see the prob and they make me rebuild it....eeeeek no thanks......
07-31-2007, 02:42 AM
#5
anti-bandwagon
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yea, i had to get my tranny switched out a while ago as well. my 3rd to 4th gear kept grinding at 5000+ rpms. technician said it was a synchro problem after showing me how to shift without using the clutch.
07-31-2007, 11:35 AM
#6
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
if you guys have Royal Purple in the tranmission, flush it out BEFORE you take it to the dealership.
I'm helping a forum member battle MNAO right now because he put RP and the new manuals clearly state GL-4 fluids. (not GL-5. RP is both 4 & 5)
Just save yourselves the headache is all I"m saying
I'm helping a forum member battle MNAO right now because he put RP and the new manuals clearly state GL-4 fluids. (not GL-5. RP is both 4 & 5)
Just save yourselves the headache is all I"m saying
07-31-2007, 11:57 AM
#7
Got Another Rotary
if you guys have Royal Purple in the tranmission, flush it out BEFORE you take it to the dealership.
I'm helping a forum member battle MNAO right now because he put RP and the new manuals clearly state GL-4 fluids. (not GL-5. RP is both 4 & 5)
Just save yourselves the headache is all I"m saying
I'm helping a forum member battle MNAO right now because he put RP and the new manuals clearly state GL-4 fluids. (not GL-5. RP is both 4 & 5)
Just save yourselves the headache is all I"m saying
These GL-4/GL-5 combo fluids still have too many Extreme Pressure (EP) and Limited Slip (LS) additives so they can be used in diffs as well that are really hard on the Syncros and all the softer metals that a used in trans (brass, etc.).
Many people still don't understand that GL-5 is a diff spec and GL-4 is a trans spec. GL-5 is not a more modern, better spec, but a different one for a different purpose. Some manufacturers have developed these combo fluids for ease of selling one fluid for multiple purposes, but this causes tradeoffs and compromises in design as these two applications have different needs that work against the other.
I love BG Syncroshift II, as it is GL-4 only, and is working superbly in my trans. Redline also makes a couple of great GL-4s as well as Amsoil, but stay away from the combo fluids.
07-31-2007, 12:10 PM
#8
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
the 04 and 05 manuals state that GL-4 OR GL-5 are acceptable for the RX-8 but I'm being told that the 06 and 07 manuals no longer list GL-5.
(I haven't confirmed this yet since my manual is for my 05)
(I haven't confirmed this yet since my manual is for my 05)
07-31-2007, 12:26 PM
#10
Go with Redline MT-90 or MTL if you must have a sythetic in your box.
MTL "This 70W80 GL-4 Gear Oil (SAE 5W30/10W30 engine oil viscosity) is designed for use in manual transmissions and transaxles. Provides excellent protection of gears and synchronizers and its balanced slipperiness provides a perfect coefficient of friction, allowing easier shifting."
MT-90 "This is a 75W90 GL-4 Gear Oil that's slightly heavier than MTL. Provides excellent protection of gears and synchronizers and its balanced slipperiness provides a perfect coefficient of friction, allowing easier shifting."
MTL "This 70W80 GL-4 Gear Oil (SAE 5W30/10W30 engine oil viscosity) is designed for use in manual transmissions and transaxles. Provides excellent protection of gears and synchronizers and its balanced slipperiness provides a perfect coefficient of friction, allowing easier shifting."
MT-90 "This is a 75W90 GL-4 Gear Oil that's slightly heavier than MTL. Provides excellent protection of gears and synchronizers and its balanced slipperiness provides a perfect coefficient of friction, allowing easier shifting."
07-31-2007, 01:03 PM
#11
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
+1 for Redline.
07-31-2007, 07:44 PM
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
just so you know, i believe it was in '02 maybe '01 year model when the miata had the 6 speed trans added(which btw is basically the same trans thats in the rx8) that they had issues with "hard to shift" and "tough to get in gear" complaints. mazda had us draining the factory fluid and adding redline synthetic. no more probs after that.
07-31-2007, 07:51 PM
#15
Redline 75W90NS and 75W140NS are options too, the "NS" designation means no slip additives like what comes in the standard gear oil
TRANSMISSIONS - MTL® can be used in most manual
transmissions and transaxles for both street and racing
use unless the manufacturer requires the additional protection
of an SAE 90 or the extreme-pressure protection
of a GL-5. In those situations the MT-90 (GL-4) or
75W90NS (GL-5) will provide good shiftability and synchro
compatibility and extra gear protection.
LightWeight Gear Oil can be used in transmissions calling
for a 75W or 80W GL-5. 75W140NS will provide
greater high-temperature viscosity, reducing gear noise
and rattle. D4 ATF can be used where the manufacturer
calls for an ATF as the D4 has GL-4 gear protection
and provides the best low-temperature shiftability.
transmissions and transaxles for both street and racing
use unless the manufacturer requires the additional protection
of an SAE 90 or the extreme-pressure protection
of a GL-5. In those situations the MT-90 (GL-4) or
75W90NS (GL-5) will provide good shiftability and synchro
compatibility and extra gear protection.
LightWeight Gear Oil can be used in transmissions calling
for a 75W or 80W GL-5. 75W140NS will provide
greater high-temperature viscosity, reducing gear noise
and rattle. D4 ATF can be used where the manufacturer
calls for an ATF as the D4 has GL-4 gear protection
and provides the best low-temperature shiftability.
Last edited by TeamRX8; 07-31-2007 at 07:56 PM.
08-01-2007, 07:48 AM
#16
Got Another Rotary
Of course, I would not do this if you are tracking/auto-x'ing your car, but for normal street use, should work well.
08-01-2007, 01:07 PM
#18
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Had my tranny replaced at 7k miles. Had it in before i ever got 1k miles on it and told them my third to fourth shift at over 7500rpm was grinding. They kept it a couple days and finally said they couldn't re-create the problem. at about 4k miles second started grinding (upshifting and downshifting) I let it continue getting worse until i couldn't stand it anymore. that way i knew they could "recreate the problem". They didn't even bother trying to fix it, just ordered me a new one.
Odd part was that when i got my car it had a little over 100 miles on it from test drives. the original transmission NEVER felt even REMOTELY close to the way the tranny they just put in feels smooth wise.
Odd part was that when i got my car it had a little over 100 miles on it from test drives. the original transmission NEVER felt even REMOTELY close to the way the tranny they just put in feels smooth wise.
08-01-2007, 10:03 PM
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 2006 transmission shifts like a drunk falling down steps... awkwardly! It's been this way since Day One. I thought perhaps it would "wear in" and smooth out as it got older, but with nearly 13k miles on the car now, it's no better. Was going to try Motul 300 75w/90 in it and see if it helps...
TeamRX8-What's the weight of the Shockproof Heavy?
TeamRX8-What's the weight of the Shockproof Heavy?
08-02-2007, 07:58 PM
#21
Heavy ShockProof™
A unique lubricant containing a suspension of solid microscopic particles as an extreme pressure agent--unique solid dispersion which cushions gear teeth to help prevent tooth breakage and allows the use of lower viscosities. Recommended for heavily-loaded racing differentials and transmissions, Off Road racing and problem gearboxes. The viscosity characteristics allow the lubricant to resist throwoff and provide a film thickness similar to a 75W250 grade, while providing the same low fluid friction as an SAE 75W90.
A unique lubricant containing a suspension of solid microscopic particles as an extreme pressure agent--unique solid dispersion which cushions gear teeth to help prevent tooth breakage and allows the use of lower viscosities. Recommended for heavily-loaded racing differentials and transmissions, Off Road racing and problem gearboxes. The viscosity characteristics allow the lubricant to resist throwoff and provide a film thickness similar to a 75W250 grade, while providing the same low fluid friction as an SAE 75W90.
.
08-04-2007, 04:37 PM
#22
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: N.E. Ohio
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New tranny in
Feels great--better than the original when new.
Saw the invoice that was prepared for the value of the repair--$3400; since ours was covered under warranty i just paid for an oil change but I'm glad it wasn't on coming out of my wallet.
Again, thanks for all of the help.
Saw the invoice that was prepared for the value of the repair--$3400; since ours was covered under warranty i just paid for an oil change but I'm glad it wasn't on coming out of my wallet.
Again, thanks for all of the help.
08-05-2007, 07:25 AM
#23
Carbonormous
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
