Transmission Issues/Questions
05-14-2006, 12:49 AM
#227
second car is a broom
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transmission replaced
Haven't read this entire thread. Will take a while to go through it. Just adding my two cents here.
Dealership replaced tranmission. The awful "dentist drill" noise in 6th gear now greatly reduced. Unfortunately the noise wasn't entirely eliminated. Sounds in 6th still drive me nuts.
Newest noise appears to be a faulty heat shield. Whatever it is makes quite an interesting rattle.
Read the April consumer reports. RX8 did pretty well except for "noise" category. I can certainly relate to that area of concern
Dealership replaced tranmission. The awful "dentist drill" noise in 6th gear now greatly reduced. Unfortunately the noise wasn't entirely eliminated. Sounds in 6th still drive me nuts.
Newest noise appears to be a faulty heat shield. Whatever it is makes quite an interesting rattle.
Read the April consumer reports. RX8 did pretty well except for "noise" category. I can certainly relate to that area of concern
05-23-2006, 12:05 PM
#228
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Some background. I bought it in Aug 04 and just turned 16k. I baby this thing. Still have the oem tires with plenty of tread.
Yesterday I was slowing to a light (~25mph in 3rd) and the transmission made this funny noise. Then I couldn't get the car into neutral. Now I can't get the car into any gear. I get grinding in neutral.
I'm flatbedding it to santa monica mazda. I'm hoping its just a clutch issue, but it looks like I may be joining the new transmission club.
Yesterday I was slowing to a light (~25mph in 3rd) and the transmission made this funny noise. Then I couldn't get the car into neutral. Now I can't get the car into any gear. I get grinding in neutral.
I'm flatbedding it to santa monica mazda. I'm hoping its just a clutch issue, but it looks like I may be joining the new transmission club.
06-17-2006, 04:13 PM
#229
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I didnt read this entire thread, but they have had problems with the dog teeth on the syncros wearing out (mainly second gear) which would be most of the problems that you all are having. The shift forks have also been braking because the castings are too thin around the shift rod. They have corrected, for the most part, the shift fork problem by using much beefier shift forks. By the way, if you dont have a warranty these trannys are really easy to overhaul. Mazda has tsbs on all of these issues... But you probily have to work for them to see them.
06-21-2006, 05:38 PM
#231
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I dropped my 04 with 29k off at the dealership for it's 30k service (i know 1k early) and recieved a call that my MT was making a chirping noise.
Long story short, they opened the transmission and found that the TB was bone dry, the clutch plate was starting fray at the edges and the springs in the clutch plate where loose.
No burning on the FW or pressure plate (i think that what its called).
They are replacing the whole clutch assembly, clutch plate, pilot bearing and TB all under warranty.
They did recieve a little grief from someone at MNA, but a second call got it approved.
I didnt really notice any problems before I brought it in, but after they told me all this I started thinking back and recall small issues during shifting, such a lagging while shifting at slow speeds, and generally not smooth shifting, although at the time i thought it was just the way the transmission functioned. Glad i brought it in, and glad my dealership was forthcoming when they noticed the chirping..
Long story short, they opened the transmission and found that the TB was bone dry, the clutch plate was starting fray at the edges and the springs in the clutch plate where loose.
No burning on the FW or pressure plate (i think that what its called).
They are replacing the whole clutch assembly, clutch plate, pilot bearing and TB all under warranty.
They did recieve a little grief from someone at MNA, but a second call got it approved.
I didnt really notice any problems before I brought it in, but after they told me all this I started thinking back and recall small issues during shifting, such a lagging while shifting at slow speeds, and generally not smooth shifting, although at the time i thought it was just the way the transmission functioned. Glad i brought it in, and glad my dealership was forthcoming when they noticed the chirping..
Last edited by experimental; 06-21-2006 at 05:43 PM.
07-03-2006, 10:45 AM
#232
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Ive never had problems with my second gear, but my clutch is making noise when I passed about 16,000 miles. By comparison, my Mustang I drove till 116,000 miles and it just started the same noise. Yea I'm very concerned in as much as I drive the cars the same....
07-03-2006, 12:13 PM
#233
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Originally Posted by mcsetech
Ive never had problems with my second gear, but my clutch is making noise when I passed about 16,000 miles. By comparison, my Mustang I drove till 116,000 miles and it just started the same noise. Yea I'm very concerned in as much as I drive the cars the same....
Mine began making a chirping or squeaking sound right about 10,000 miles. Really only notice it first thing in the morning. The noise is steady once the clutch in released in reverse, then again in 1st (as I back out of my overnight parking spot then pull away). I don't notice it later in the drive or later in the day.
07-08-2006, 12:00 AM
#235
I agree, just put a new clutch in with a replacement trans, much better now. My old clutch disc had loose springs, but otherwise everything looked fine. Only 3600 miles, but probably close to 200 7000+ rpm drop clutch drag type launches. There are now three revisions of clutch parts available from the dealer on the disc and two revisions on the throwout bearing. I don't know why they would sell multiple revisions of the same part at the same time, but I threw caution to the wind and went with all the latest revisions.
Also running heavier oil; Redline 75W140NS. All those whirring trans noises are gone now. IMO one of the problems is the trans getting too hot from radiated exhaust heat produced during severe duty usage, especially uninsulated aftermarket cat/midpipes, etc.
Also running heavier oil; Redline 75W140NS. All those whirring trans noises are gone now. IMO one of the problems is the trans getting too hot from radiated exhaust heat produced during severe duty usage, especially uninsulated aftermarket cat/midpipes, etc.
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; 07-08-2006 at 12:07 AM.
07-08-2006, 05:06 PM
#236
PardeeMan
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Hard to put in reverse
Is anyone having the issue of it being difficult to put the car in reverse? Sometimes, I have to try two or three times to get it into reverse properly. It feels like it doesn't want to go into reverse? Any comments?
07-08-2006, 10:27 PM
#237
Grey Boy
Originally Posted by twpardee
Is anyone having the issue of it being difficult to put the car in reverse? Sometimes, I have to try two or three times to get it into reverse properly. It feels like it doesn't want to go into reverse? Any comments?
07-11-2006, 10:39 AM
#238
Registered
I have skimmed through most of this very long thread. I thought about starting a new thread, but I will put this here and see if I get any replies.
I am new to the RX-8, but have to say that the shifter feels better than the one my STi had. In the STi, the 1-2 shift was always the slowest, requiring a little more of a pause before going in. This is also true on the RX-8, but to a lesser degree. This may have something to do with the fact that the 1-2 shift (on both cars) is the largest ratio change, requiring the transmittion to slow more before the gear speeds are matched. When cold (meaning freezing temps in winter), double clutching was required to get the STi into second until fully warmed up. I'll have to wait until winter to see if the 8 does this, but it sounds like others have reported that.
Overall, even though the 1-2 shift feels slower than the 2-3 and 3-4 to me, it is not so slow that I would have ever thought to complain about it until I read this thread, which has me all nervous now. Maybe this is the start of something that just keeps getting worse with this tranny. As it is now, I can't imagine going to the dealer and complaining about it.
Are people expecting to be able to slam the shifter from 1st to 2nd with no resistance in 0.01 seconds? (a little exageration, but hollywood/FnF produced a generation of drivers, many of whom can now afford an RX-8, who think cars really do drive like the ones on TV and in video games.)
Every manual I have owned required some feel for the speed of the transmission in order to make a smooth shift. When the gear speeds match, it clicks in. Synchros make this easier and faster, but they will never make your car's shifter feel like the lever on an arcade driving game. In daily driving, I never force the tranny to shift faster than it wants to. On the RX-8, pulling the shifter from 1st to 2nd requires the same force I use to pull my desk drawer open if I let it take its time (definately less than 0.5 sec, probably less than 0.3 seconds but no way to time it.) It can be made to shift faster, but it requires more force, works the synchros harder (read: wears them out faster) and will occasionally produce a grind.
I am new to the RX-8, but have to say that the shifter feels better than the one my STi had. In the STi, the 1-2 shift was always the slowest, requiring a little more of a pause before going in. This is also true on the RX-8, but to a lesser degree. This may have something to do with the fact that the 1-2 shift (on both cars) is the largest ratio change, requiring the transmittion to slow more before the gear speeds are matched. When cold (meaning freezing temps in winter), double clutching was required to get the STi into second until fully warmed up. I'll have to wait until winter to see if the 8 does this, but it sounds like others have reported that.
Overall, even though the 1-2 shift feels slower than the 2-3 and 3-4 to me, it is not so slow that I would have ever thought to complain about it until I read this thread, which has me all nervous now. Maybe this is the start of something that just keeps getting worse with this tranny. As it is now, I can't imagine going to the dealer and complaining about it.
Are people expecting to be able to slam the shifter from 1st to 2nd with no resistance in 0.01 seconds? (a little exageration, but hollywood/FnF produced a generation of drivers, many of whom can now afford an RX-8, who think cars really do drive like the ones on TV and in video games.)
Every manual I have owned required some feel for the speed of the transmission in order to make a smooth shift. When the gear speeds match, it clicks in. Synchros make this easier and faster, but they will never make your car's shifter feel like the lever on an arcade driving game. In daily driving, I never force the tranny to shift faster than it wants to. On the RX-8, pulling the shifter from 1st to 2nd requires the same force I use to pull my desk drawer open if I let it take its time (definately less than 0.5 sec, probably less than 0.3 seconds but no way to time it.) It can be made to shift faster, but it requires more force, works the synchros harder (read: wears them out faster) and will occasionally produce a grind.
07-11-2006, 11:20 AM
#239
Grey Boy
Originally Posted by RX8Maine
I have skimmed through most of this very long thread. I thought about starting a new thread, but I will put this here and see if I get any replies.
I am new to the RX-8, but have to say that the shifter feels better than the one my STi had. In the STi, the 1-2 shift was always the slowest, requiring a little more of a pause before going in. This is also true on the RX-8, but to a lesser degree. This may have something to do with the fact that the 1-2 shift (on both cars) is the largest ratio change, requiring the transmittion to slow more before the gear speeds are matched. When cold (meaning freezing temps in winter), double clutching was required to get the STi into second until fully warmed up. I'll have to wait until winter to see if the 8 does this, but it sounds like others have reported that.
Overall, even though the 1-2 shift feels slower than the 2-3 and 3-4 to me, it is not so slow that I would have ever thought to complain about it until I read this thread, which has me all nervous now. Maybe this is the start of something that just keeps getting worse with this tranny. As it is now, I can't imagine going to the dealer and complaining about it.
Are people expecting to be able to slam the shifter from 1st to 2nd with no resistance in 0.01 seconds? (a little exageration, but hollywood/FnF produced a generation of drivers, many of whom can now afford an RX-8, who think cars really do drive like the ones on TV and in video games.)
Every manual I have owned required some feel for the speed of the transmission in order to make a smooth shift. When the gear speeds match, it clicks in. Synchros make this easier and faster, but they will never make your car's shifter feel like the lever on an arcade driving game. In daily driving, I never force the tranny to shift faster than it wants to. On the RX-8, pulling the shifter from 1st to 2nd requires the same force I use to pull my desk drawer open if I let it take its time (definately less than 0.5 sec, probably less than 0.3 seconds but no way to time it.) It can be made to shift faster, but it requires more force, works the synchros harder (read: wears them out faster) and will occasionally produce a grind.
I am new to the RX-8, but have to say that the shifter feels better than the one my STi had. In the STi, the 1-2 shift was always the slowest, requiring a little more of a pause before going in. This is also true on the RX-8, but to a lesser degree. This may have something to do with the fact that the 1-2 shift (on both cars) is the largest ratio change, requiring the transmittion to slow more before the gear speeds are matched. When cold (meaning freezing temps in winter), double clutching was required to get the STi into second until fully warmed up. I'll have to wait until winter to see if the 8 does this, but it sounds like others have reported that.
Overall, even though the 1-2 shift feels slower than the 2-3 and 3-4 to me, it is not so slow that I would have ever thought to complain about it until I read this thread, which has me all nervous now. Maybe this is the start of something that just keeps getting worse with this tranny. As it is now, I can't imagine going to the dealer and complaining about it.
Are people expecting to be able to slam the shifter from 1st to 2nd with no resistance in 0.01 seconds? (a little exageration, but hollywood/FnF produced a generation of drivers, many of whom can now afford an RX-8, who think cars really do drive like the ones on TV and in video games.)
Every manual I have owned required some feel for the speed of the transmission in order to make a smooth shift. When the gear speeds match, it clicks in. Synchros make this easier and faster, but they will never make your car's shifter feel like the lever on an arcade driving game. In daily driving, I never force the tranny to shift faster than it wants to. On the RX-8, pulling the shifter from 1st to 2nd requires the same force I use to pull my desk drawer open if I let it take its time (definately less than 0.5 sec, probably less than 0.3 seconds but no way to time it.) It can be made to shift faster, but it requires more force, works the synchros harder (read: wears them out faster) and will occasionally produce a grind.
Fork problems show up as refusal to go into or come out of gear, grinding and gear disingaging. some times a symtom will start small and get worse over time and other times it will just show up outa nowhere.
If your 8 is new then it might have the updated parts already installed in the tranny. Either way,, trust Ur instinks and don't loose sleep over it . If U do have a problem U are covered,,, bumper to bumper!
Regards,
Grey
Last edited by titaneum_grey; 07-11-2006 at 11:25 AM.
07-11-2006, 12:30 PM
#240
Registered
Yeah, I can get wordy.
I guess my question is this: Are people expecting more from the shifter than what it is and then abusing it to get it to work the way they expect?
I had a '92 Civic Dx that I drove years ago that my parents still have. The shifter feels exactly the same way now as it did back then: like butter. The bushings are so soft that there was absolutle no mechanical information passed to the driver. Sloppy, smooth, easy, vague. With the RX-8 (and my previous STi and a previous Civic Si) the shift linkage has shorter throws, stiffer bushings, and communicates more with the driver. You feel it leave 1st, feel it hesitate before 2nd, then feel it click into 2nd. I am just wondering if that means "trouble" to some people.
I guess my question is this: Are people expecting more from the shifter than what it is and then abusing it to get it to work the way they expect?
I had a '92 Civic Dx that I drove years ago that my parents still have. The shifter feels exactly the same way now as it did back then: like butter. The bushings are so soft that there was absolutle no mechanical information passed to the driver. Sloppy, smooth, easy, vague. With the RX-8 (and my previous STi and a previous Civic Si) the shift linkage has shorter throws, stiffer bushings, and communicates more with the driver. You feel it leave 1st, feel it hesitate before 2nd, then feel it click into 2nd. I am just wondering if that means "trouble" to some people.
07-11-2006, 05:35 PM
#241
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Originally Posted by RX8Maine
... When cold (meaning freezing temps in winter), double clutching was required to get the STi into second until fully warmed up. I'll have to wait until winter to see if the 8 does this, but it sounds like others have reported that....
Are people expecting to be able to slam the shifter from 1st to 2nd with no resistance in 0.01 seconds? ...... .
Are people expecting to be able to slam the shifter from 1st to 2nd with no resistance in 0.01 seconds? ...... .
When cold, you have to pause between 1st and 2nd or use one finger to move the shifter down without pulling it towards you. This works about 90% of the time.
Personally, I've been told I am a pretty quick shifter and I have never had a problem with the shift keeping up. One thing is for sure, you will grind the gears if you sit too far back and try to shift quickly due to the grabbing point of the clutch. Its amazing by moving your seat up 1/2 inch or so could make a huge impact on the time of hands/feet and resulting smooth quick shift.
07-12-2006, 12:51 PM
#242
Klatu Virata Nictu
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i am not having any major problems as of yet. 11K miles. However I do notice that when the car is in neutral and I take my foot off the clutch there is a slight change the transmission noise. Almost like a very slight grinding. The car has been doing this since i got it with 1500 miles on it. Anyone else?
07-12-2006, 05:38 PM
#243
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Yup, we all have it. Aparently its normal. I took a brand new 8 right off the truck and it did the exact same sound. No ill affects from that noise, so far.
07-12-2006, 09:02 PM
#244
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Just tossed in my Royal Purple: tranny, diff, and engine.
Smoother idle. (I think the Nissan dealer that sold me the car had put the wrong oil in, so I changed it even though I've only had the car for 2 weeks/600 miles)
Much improved 1-2 shift; all shifts feel smoother and faster.
No more shudder from the diff when starting off from stop on sharp turn.
Overall, I'm very happy with it.
Thanks to everyone for all the info in this thread.
Smoother idle. (I think the Nissan dealer that sold me the car had put the wrong oil in, so I changed it even though I've only had the car for 2 weeks/600 miles)
Much improved 1-2 shift; all shifts feel smoother and faster.
No more shudder from the diff when starting off from stop on sharp turn.
Overall, I'm very happy with it.
Thanks to everyone for all the info in this thread.
07-17-2006, 03:11 PM
#245
Klatu Virata Nictu
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Originally Posted by Shamblerock
Yup, we all have it. Aparently its normal. I took a brand new 8 right off the truck and it did the exact same sound. No ill affects from that noise, so far.
07-19-2006, 05:08 PM
#246
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My transmission is noisy when I do the following:
drive at around 35mph, clutch in, move shifter into 3rd or 5th note that noise and compare that when you put it in 4th or 6th, with the clutch in all the time and the car coasting at somewhere 30-50mph. 1st is noisy too but hard to shift into unless you are coasting at 10mph or so. So bascially what I'm doing here is listening to the noise from the transmission at different gear(since the coasting speed is somewhat constant so the rear diff noise should be constant too and the engine noise is minimal because it's at idle during this test).
So why is it noisy on 1st, 3rd and 5th but not 2nd, 4th and 6th? 1st loudest and 3rd less and 5th is the least but still louder than 2nd, 4th and 6th. Is this normal? Anyone else has similar issue? It doesn't sounds like it going to break soon but I thought it might be a sign of abused by the last owner. I think the desgin and manufacture is the same for RX-8 and older Miata(2002), and my old Miata(supercharged and tracked regularly) doesn't get these kind of noise when I sold it at 26k.
I bought the 8 used and has 18k on it so I'm not sure the last owner had abused it or not.
Things I did:
Changed Motul Gear 300v oil 75W90 tran and diff.
Checked the shifter bolts if they are loose(My brand new '02 Miata went lose after 2 weeks driving) but they are not and the rubber boot is not torn either(very commom on Miata which transmit noise to the cabin).
Terence
drive at around 35mph, clutch in, move shifter into 3rd or 5th note that noise and compare that when you put it in 4th or 6th, with the clutch in all the time and the car coasting at somewhere 30-50mph. 1st is noisy too but hard to shift into unless you are coasting at 10mph or so. So bascially what I'm doing here is listening to the noise from the transmission at different gear(since the coasting speed is somewhat constant so the rear diff noise should be constant too and the engine noise is minimal because it's at idle during this test).
So why is it noisy on 1st, 3rd and 5th but not 2nd, 4th and 6th? 1st loudest and 3rd less and 5th is the least but still louder than 2nd, 4th and 6th. Is this normal? Anyone else has similar issue? It doesn't sounds like it going to break soon but I thought it might be a sign of abused by the last owner. I think the desgin and manufacture is the same for RX-8 and older Miata(2002), and my old Miata(supercharged and tracked regularly) doesn't get these kind of noise when I sold it at 26k.
I bought the 8 used and has 18k on it so I'm not sure the last owner had abused it or not.
Things I did:
Changed Motul Gear 300v oil 75W90 tran and diff.
Checked the shifter bolts if they are loose(My brand new '02 Miata went lose after 2 weeks driving) but they are not and the rubber boot is not torn either(very commom on Miata which transmit noise to the cabin).
Terence
07-25-2006, 09:08 PM
#247
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im having a combination of problems/concerns. (1)when reving the engine in neutral or in gear with clutch in there is a rubbery plastic type smell thats pretty strong even with the windows up. (2)sometimes wont go into reverse, have to go back to neutral and try it again. (3)occasional grinding or gear wont drop when trying to shift into 2nd above 5k. (4)gears seem to stiff to me, not smooth at all. ill be taking it ot dealer on tuesday
07-25-2006, 09:14 PM
#248
It may help to put it in 1st or 2nd gear when stopped before attempting to put it in reverse.
Reverse does not have synchros so doing this can get it lined up for going into gear.
Used to have to do this on my Dad's trucks going into first gear as it did not have synchros for first.
The service department may ask why you are revving in neutral
Reverse does not have synchros so doing this can get it lined up for going into gear.
Used to have to do this on my Dad's trucks going into first gear as it did not have synchros for first.
The service department may ask why you are revving in neutral
Last edited by BoosTED; 07-25-2006 at 09:16 PM.
08-15-2006, 11:03 PM
#249
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Do you all warm your RX-8's up to normal driving temp before driving? Are you going over 3,000RPM before your engine is warmed up? And or turning the engine off before it warms up to normal driving temp? If you are not, I'm not surprised you have so many problems. If you all do these things, I guess I should sell mine before I hit 4,000 mi.
08-17-2006, 02:52 PM
#250
Possible release bearing problem
I just bought an 8 less then a week ago.
I noticed that when stopped if i release the clutch in neutral there is a noticable rattling sound and when i push the clutch back in it goes away if just a little bit and is perfectly silent. I took it to the dealer and they said that its normal. I just wondering if it really is. This happens all the time no matter the temperature or anything. i work with a bunch people more knowligable then I and they told me it could be a bad release berring.
Wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem.
I noticed that when stopped if i release the clutch in neutral there is a noticable rattling sound and when i push the clutch back in it goes away if just a little bit and is perfectly silent. I took it to the dealer and they said that its normal. I just wondering if it really is. This happens all the time no matter the temperature or anything. i work with a bunch people more knowligable then I and they told me it could be a bad release berring.
Wondering if anyone else has had a similar problem.