BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

Is it a rattle or is it a soft grinding?

If it is grinding that is normal.

bsteimel

iTrader: (5)

its definitly a rattling then a grinding sound, but it goes away once you put pressure on the clutch. Maybe if i could start up another rx8 in the area i could find out for myself.

SOVINE

It's normal. I took mine back to the dealership and had them start up a new rx-8 to prove it. Same sound.

bsteimel

iTrader: (5)

That gives me some relief thanks for the reply

VOODOO8

The factory new bearing in my 04's tranny did not make a peep when the car was spinning the shaft in neutral with the pedal released, however, the replacement bearing that was installed when I replaced my first clutch did. It was actually quite loud. After about 1K miles on it the noise disappeared and has remained quiet now after an additional 10K miles.

BoosTED

iTrader: (2)

Interesting, I have noticed since my transmission was replaced and I have over 1,000 miles on it the noise has quieted as well. I believe they replaced the throwout bearing during the swap.

Mendossa

Hi, I'm a noob and have a few little worries about my trans.

My 8 is my first manual car... owned two ATs before, drove a few MTs now and then and finally got the 8 as MT.

I've had the car for 5 months and put about 5000 miles on it.

I have two little things worrying me:

1) My 1-2 shift doesn't feel as smooth as when I first got the car. It feels like there is a "notch" just before the 2nd gear so that when I take the shifter from 1 to 2 instead of going "out 1st, neutral, 2nd" it goes "out 1st, neutral, notch, 2nd". And it seems to be worst than it was before. Anyone got that feeling? Makes it hard to do a quick & clean 1-2 since I don't want to force it down in 2nd, big fan of the "2 fingers pressure, no more" method.

2) My shifter in neutral position used to be firmly in place, meaning it was either in a gear or in neutral, but it would not "move" within its neutral spot. Now it seems like when the shifter is in neutral position I can move about 1 inch in any direction as if it's "dead zone" was getting larger and had less resistance. I usually don't touch the shifter except to shift, so I don't think this could come from wear from resting my hand on it or something like that.

Any comments you more experienced guys have is appreciated... am I being too nervous about it?

Thanks a bunch

Mendossa

Ok... after a while reading a bunch of posts, I realize a lot of us have a notchy second. But how to tell if this is a notchy second, or a "sick" fork?

I guess the only intelligent reply now would be "uh... take it to the dealer"

matis

My transmission problem started about a month ago.
While I was driving to Haapsalu, to have a little driving contest, 6th gear started to go in real hard, and a little while after it didn't go in at all.
Ok, fine 6th gear gone, I can still live the day and go to the dealer next day, but things just were getting started...
While driving back, I lost the 5th gear same way. It didn't grind or anything, it just didn't go in, like there would have been a wall or something.
And finally when I got home, the reverse gear also was lost, so the whole right fork was gone.
I took the car to the dealer and with no 5-6-R gear, I just left it there to wait for diagnosis.

Results of the diagnoses:
Clutch housing had been faulty and it has broken down many parts of the gearbox. As a result, they'll change the clutch housing and all the broken parts of gearbox (There was a request to finland in order to replace the transmission as a whole, but the answer was negative).
So it is going to take another month to get all fixed, luckily under warranty.
I have never felt that the clutch had acted wierd in any way. I love the way the clutch behaves, but it occurs, that it was the major destructor of my car.

I have 2003RX8, 15k miles on it.
VIN# JMZSE173640101808

Tigerfootball

OK i am having a few problems with my transmission now as well. here is the list, some of which may just be normal:

1. when idling and letting the clutch out, putting it in neutral, i get this rattling sound and it goes away when i depress the clutch again. Normal? Abnormal?

2. sometimes when i try to put it into first after coming to a stop, it is very difficult to get it in, and most times i have to let the clutch out and depress it again, allowing first to engage with an audible "thud".

3. when in 5th gear, as i get right around 3000rpm, i get this annoying "wah-wah" sound from the engine......only happens in 5th.

4. awfully hard to get it into reverse just about everytime i try now. it will slip in when i start to release the clutch a little, but it just seems like it doesn't want to go in.

Now, i have 51,400 miles on my car. Should i just take it into the dealer and see what the problem is and risk having to sacrifice my first born child or is there another way?

thanks for any advice on the matter.

SrS

Hi, i am experiencing the same problem, when i'm trying to downshift my car from 3rd gear at 3K rpm to 2nd gear or 1st gear, it feels like the shifter is hitting something, like you really cant move the shifter at that side of 1st and 2nd gear even you give it a force... i have to shift it to other higher gears for a second then that's the time my shifter can go to 1st or 2nd gear... why is that happening? is that really natural?

zenmoused

I can answer a couple of your questions:

1. Yes, this is normal "gear chatter." Swapping your fluids to synthetic should reduce this, but it won't go away completely. When I swapped my fluids out, I put a couple more ounces than recommended, and it really made the sound quiet.
2. That's not normal. You should probably get that looked at now that your car has the extra 10k miles of warranty given to us by the recall gods. Could be a bent fork.
3. This could be just the sounds from the synchros, but your description isn't very clear to me. If it's a high-pitched whining when you first shift into the gear, it's normal. If it's something different, prolly not.
4. This is normal. It's caused by reverse not having its own synchro, so you have to sorta let the clutch out as you're slipping it into gear. Another thing you can do if you're having issues is, with the clutch in, put the car into another gear before attempting reverse. This will line up the gears better.

Make sure to bring your car in and have them take a look while it's under warranty. I just brought mine in for a problem with second gear and they're ordering me a new transmission...

zenmoused

I had the same thing and they're replacing my transmission for it. I would say to bring it in.

Rodlucci

The below service bulletin may cause issues that are being discribed in thiese posts.
The chatter at idle with the clutch not depressed is the throw-out bearing and is normal for Mazda. I have a 14 year old Miata that has done the same thing since new.

Mazda North American Operations
Service Bulletin
Irvine, CA 92618-2922
© 2006 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.

Subject: Bulletin No: 05-004/06
MANUAL TRANSMISSION - CLUTCH HARD TO DISENGAGE
Last Issued: 6/13/2006


APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2004-2006 RX-8 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1 FE**** ** 206481 (produced before May 1, 2006)

DESCRIPTION
Some vehicles may experience that the free play on the clutch pedal increases and the clutch is hard to disengage.
At hot ambient temperatures or approx. 85 F (30 C), ethanol used during installation of the clutch release cylinder boot becomes vaporized and expands. As the pressure in the boots increases, the piston is pushed back into the release cylinder body. As a result, a gap appears between the piston and the push rod, resulting in excessive free play and the clutch hard to disengage.
As a mass production change, ethanol is no longer used during clutch release cylinder assembly. Customers having this concern should have their vehicle repaired using the following repair procedure.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. 1. Verify customer concern.
2. 2. Remove the clutch release cylinder. Refer to Workshop Manual section 05-10 - CLUTCH RELEASE CYLINDER REMOVAL/INSTALLATION.
3. 3. Disassemble the clutch release cylinder. Refer to Workshop Manual section 05-10 - CLUTCH RELEASE CYLINDER DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY.
4. 4. Using brake fluid, wash the rod, inside of the boot and piston rubber.

NOTE:
• Use care when washing rubber parts. Do not allow brake cleaner or any volatile grease to remain inside of the boot when assembling or condition may re-occur.
1. 5. Reassemble and install the clutch release cylinder.
2. 6. Bleed the clutch release cylinder. Refer to Workshop Manual section 05-10 - CLUTCH FLUID REPLACEMENT.
3. 7. Verify repair.

Page 1 of 2
CONSUMER NOTICE: The information and instructions in this bulletin are intended for use by skilled technicians. Mazda technicians utilize the proper tools/ equipment and take training to correctly and safely maintain Mazda vehicles. These instructions should not be performed by “do-it-yourselfers.” Customers should not assume this bulletin applies to their vehicle or that their vehicle will develop the described concern. To determine if the information applies, customers should contact their nearest authorized Mazda dealership. Mazda North American Operations reserves the right to alter the specifications and contents of this bulletin without obligation or advance notice. All rights reserved. No part of this bulletin may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical---including photocopying and recording and the use of any kind of information storage and retrieval system ---without permission in writing.
Bulletin No: 05-004/06
Last Issued: 6/13/2006
© 2006 Mazda Motor of America, Inc.


WARRANTY INFORMATION NOTE:
. • This warranty information applies only to verified customer complaints on vehicles eligible for warranty repair. Refer to the Warranty Wizard for warranty term information.
. • Additional diagnostic time cannot be claimed for this repair.

Warranty Type A
Symptom Code 70
Damage Code 93
Part Number Main Cause F151-41-92XA
Quantity 0
Operation Number / Labor Hours: XXB334RX / 0.7 Hrs

Page 2 of 2

masukarealm

I was writing about my issue with my RX8 tranny then found this thread. Would anyone know if this problem can be found on the recall list? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Aloha-
I recently bought a used 2004 RX8 with sport package. I has 22K miles on it. So far the Mazda dealership has been taking care of the recalls I have been encountering...I'm 3 for 3 right now...nothing out of pocket, yet. So far they have changed the battery, alternator, starter and will be taking care of the fluctuating A/C problem. I been noticing that during revs above 5k RPM's I'm having a hard time shifting from 2nd to 3rd and a slight problem from 3rd to 4th. There's also this awful grinding noise (probably the synchro gears going?) accompanying the mis shift. Will the SR Motorsport short shifter remedy this problem? What about changing the gear box oil? Is there a special formula or weight of gear oil I should use? Also, my RX8, at idle, runs little rough like it's missing or has a vacuum leak somewhere. Once I start going the car runs fine. Any one encountering this sort of problem at idle and had it fixed? Please let me know. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Mahalo.

Jax_RX8

Common issue on trans. The 1 to 2 shift is always the most prone to grinding if done too quickly or if you are not using a good fluid to help the syncros work their best.

I would start with changing the trans fluid to see if this helps. I would recommend BG Syncroshift II fluid change (some others use Royal Purple and may be a good alternative if you can't find a BG dealer).

If this does not help, issue could be a severe syncro/trans wear or breakage problem which that may require rebuidling.

Good discussion here for some more reading on trans fluids
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/royal-purple-question-100978/

ucleadguitar

iTrader: (1)

MY car has been at my dealer for 4 days now....grinding when high rpm shifting from 1-2 and when downshifting above 42mph into 2nd. They said they are waiting for 2 syncros and a gear before they can rebuild it.

nofxp506

I noticed today, that while driving above like 3,000 RPM's, i get a sort of rattle sound coming out of the transmission, and also, that the same noise but louder occurs while letting off the clutch, it kind of sounds like a slip, but the car handles normally, and im not experiencing any slip feel.

can anyone help?

ucleadguitar

iTrader: (1)

Does it happen when your in neutral and sounds like an annoying lil rattle/squeak. Then it goes away when you push in the clutch? If that's the case then thats the usual Mazda Throw Out Bearing doing its usual loud noises.

nofxp506

thats what i thought at first too, but it happens while driving, and makes noises when you clutch to shift as well.

Xantium

My eight has only 7,000 miles on it and I'm pretty sure 2nd gear synchros are f'ed. At over ~37mph the only way i can downshift into second is by double clutching. Also I can't even do 1-2 redline shifts without grinding.. even with the clutch to the floor for a good second before moving the gear stick. I'll be bringing it into the dealer soon.. I noticed some people saying that the reason the 1-2 shift grinds in the first place (which is how i assume the 2nd gear sychros go bad) is because of the rubber clutch line. I ordered some technafit one from ebay and it was only $30 shipped. Hopefully I can get my dealer to install that when they're working on it even though its not a mazdaspeed part.

Xantium

See this really confuses me... for me 2-3 is the easiest shift out of all of them. It's 1-2 that kills me.

mmats69

i had to get a new tranny myself. was driving home one evening and could no longer shift into third. took it in and thought i was going to catch hell because of my aftermarket parts but i hardly drive the car (1500 miles from an open ticket they had on me from 6 months ago). transmission is doing well so far. i am now having the "freeway power loss" problem so i will have to take it in and see what's happening.

phat8

my 8 grinds from 3rd to 4th if im in the higher rpm's if i change as quick as i do with all the other gears,i haved to wait a second or two, so all the others are fine, clearly there is a problem here. south africa.car is on 85.000 kms now but has done it since i bought it pre owned on 19.000 kms.

Xantium

Just got my eight back. I sent it in at about 7k miles telling them that I cant upshift into second at redline or downshift into second above 35 mph. They had it for about a week. On the papers it says that the transmission oil had a ton of metallic flakes in it. They replaced second gear, second gear synchros, fourth gear, and fourth gear synchros. I think this problem developed from a few missed 1-2 shifts and just got worse over time. Anyways it was completely covered under warranty.