Does Anyone's Car Grind Gears Sometimes Going From First To Second? And Why The Hell Is It Happening?

 

september 2003

 

Yeah! I've often complimented the gearbox for having precise action, (at least compared to my WRX) but it seems to take very careful speed-matching to keep from graunching especially from first to second, but sometimes from second to third.

Redline MT-90 didn't seem to help me in this regard either. I wish the engine RPMs didn't drop so quickly between shifts; it makes it difficult for me to get a smooth transition between gears.

Hell, I should think I'd be able to drive a manual consistently well after 24 years!

 

are we seeing a trend for the early build trannys?

 

i think we're seeing a trend of people not searching first.

here everyone, check out this thread:

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/2004-rx-8-issues-data-poll-43673/

 

I brought my car into the dealership today to get my tranny looked at and I was told that there is a TSB that covers the issue. I have never seen it or heard of it but they ordered a new shift fork. Has any one else seen this TSB? Maybe Mazda is finally trying to help those with tranny problems It doesn’t explain why I get bumped out of third or grind into 6th but I’ll post after the install with my thoughts on the new part.

-Boxcar

BTW I have 10,700 miles on my car. I'll look the build date up later unless Abbid can remember what it was. If you do please post it.

 

If you are having problems in third and sixth and the problem is the shift fork, that would mean two shift forks.

 

All the official TSB's are posted in the TSB thread.

There are no TSB's addressing shift forks at this time.

 

My problem started with 2nd gear and seems to have slowly spread. As of 2 days ago I was not able to go into 1st unless I was under 4mph. Yesterday I got bumped out of 3rd since I didn't want to force it. It was weird, almost like trying to put it in gear w/o having the clutch fully disengaged. I have a bad habit of putting the clutch pedal to the floor so I know I didn't half *** the shift. Then today on the way to the dealership everything felt tight and my tranny grinded going into 6th at about 60-65mph. If you know what it might be please tell me. All I was told is that they would replace the shift fork as the TSB stated and if I still had a problem they would take care of it. At least they are trying to do something for us instead of ignoring it. I am happy about that part of it. I'll see over the next couple weeks whether or not I am being given the run around. Considering my service rep I highly doubt it.

Quote from paper work-

“PERFORMED M-TIPS AND VERIFIED THAT PRESSURE PLATE BOLTS WERE
WITH IN SPEC. 16.3 TO 24.4 FT LBS
FOUND UPDATED SHIFT FORK FOR HARD 1-2 SHIFTS AND 2-1 SHIFTS
SOP SHIFT FORK”

Part # Y601-17-40XA
Description – "Fork, Shift 1st&2nd"

 

That's what I thought too. I looked at
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...ocs/index.html before I went in and printed everything I could find that applied to me - brake noise and scratches/chips by the airbag. Saw nothing about tranny problems. Either way it appears that Mazda has an updated part.

-Boxcar

 

did it solve your problem?

 

Sometimes dealerships tell the customer there is a revised part to help calm them or reduce their future worrying.

Alot of 6 owners were told they got revised clutch and flywheels in 03, and there wasn't any new parts...just dealer customer relations going on.

 

The part should be here by next Wednesday.

-Boxcar

 

How do I find out if that is what they are doing to me?

-Boxcar

 

Hey abbid, I got my car back last night. They ordered parts for everything they said they would fix. Unfortunately there was nothing that could be done about the seat scratchs since I already had the new part. My main concern is my tranny. What did they do for yours when it was having probs?

Hope yours is fine. You have to tell me what was wrong with it when you get it back. It was good meeting you man.

-Boxcar

 

Thanks abbid.

 

It sounds like we have a similar problem. It wasn't 0 as of the other day but I had to slow to under 4mph to get into first. I asked if I would do more damage by continuing to drive her and was told I would be fine. I guess I'll just have to see what happens while I wait for my parts. Been driving my car like I live in Sun City but everyday it seems to get worse. Dwight said if the new fork doesn't do the trick they would fix it. He's always been good about keeping his word so I am trying to relax.

They ordered new front pads for me as the TSB suggested.

 

I don't believe this is a true recall, but I wish it was seen how this is what started my problems. Anyway, I will look at my service reports in a couple of hours and see if that is the same part # they put in my car.

By the way, The first time my car broke down I was going from 1st to 2nd. Right as I was engaging is 2nd I felt the small grind, the released the clutch and it just "popped". Just be careful with it.

 

Thanks Slim8. So your car had the exact same problem or something similar? What exactly did Mazda do to solve your problem? I would really apreciate any info you could give me. Did a search and have seen some replaced and some repaired trannies but nothing really seemed to state the exact part or parts in question.

-Boxcar

 

I could be wrong and there could be something else wrong with my car. Anyway, here is the link to the full story:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/brand-new-clutch-explodes-42633/

In short, The first time I was shifting into second at about 15 mph and it wanted to grind like everyone elses. when I released the cutch it "exploded" all the gears in my transmission. They "repaired" the transmission with 87 new parts.

Like I said, I may have a totally different issue that the others that are having slight grinding problems, but that's what happened to me.

 

That's crazy slim8. Thanks for the link. I'll read it when I get home tonight.

-Boxcar

 

They've been working quick lately. Hopefully it's fixed or close to it. Does it feel any different yet?

 

Slim8- I just scanned your thread only to find out I had been followeing it for a while. That's crazy that they are giving you such a hard time. Sorry man. Good luck and please keep us posted.

 

I seem to have a problem with first gear. I have never drove any other rx8 so i do not know if its a problem or if its normal. My first gear seems to be real rough and starting from 3000 rpm it seems real rough and loud. None of the other gear is loud till 4500 but even then its real smooth . is this a problem or is it just something normal. any feedback is appreciated

 

If you have a REAL Rough sound coming from the gearbox, that is never good. By Real rough do you mean like a growly or grinding sound? You shouldn't be able to hear anything but a kinda shhhhhh sound from your tranny. I would have it checked before it gets worse or maybe self destructs..