gjase

I have a 2010 GT manual, all stock about to hit 15k that has in the last probably 3k miles developed a jerkiness when shifting 1->2, 2->3, and a really bad vibration in the shifter at idle and 9000+ rpm.

Searched and found some S1 problems with motor mounts (and some unresolved jerky issues), but those had over 30k on them so wasnt sure that a mount might go bad this early. I had an 04 from 5k miles to 65k, it had a few synchro probs and a clutch issue around 36k, but never this kinda rockin back and forth motion.

If I try to manipulate the clutch I can shift smoothly with no jerking, but I have to ease off the clutch in a certain way every time.. its gotten to be normal habit now and I dont notice it as much, but my buddy drove it yesterday and was like wtf is it doing that for.. he too was able to just toe off the clutch a little softer and it was buttery smooth. I havent had any problems with the car or the transmission, bought it with 3k on it. An example, if you have the car in 3rd, let off the gas completely then tap it a bit, its like your head is bouncing forward and back. Ease on the gas and all is well except when WOT/red lining, hard to avoid the jerk which takes the fun out of that addicting beeeeeeep.

The shifter vibrates really bad too when idling, esp if I pull it all the way to the left side and hold it against the wall... its like a top load washer on spin cycle.

Engine is smooth as silk till I hit 9k rpm, and i get the same horrible vibration in the shifter. Otherwise it pulls great, no issues. Also have noticed a rough idle since this problem has happened, not sure thats connected to the problem. Cleaned my MAF with out any change. Its not so rough like its about to die, just more burping than usual. My 04 after about the same mileage started having a rough idle, up till I got rid of her, doesnt really bother me.

Worried the easing off of the clutch may be causing damage to the pressure plate/clutch itself, even tho it cures the car jerking forward and back. Im under warranty but wanted to have some idea when talking with mazda... this will be my first problem/non routine maintenance visit to the dealer with this 8. Could it be a motor mount this early, transmission failing, or am I just making this up in my head and woke up one day not remembering how to clutch my 8? :P

Thanks!
Jase

----
2010 MT Grand Touring 8 16k miles
..and not forgotten:
2010 Sport Miata [hella fun but missed the 8 too much] 6k miles
2004 MT Sport 8 68k miles
1994 MT B Pkg Miata .. 204k miles
1989 MT A Pkg Miata ... 90k miles

Sugarfree135

iTrader: (1)

I just got mine as well although I'm not new to modding cars lol I noticed with my 09 that it feels like it has a 10lb flywheel in there, by that I mean between changing gears it's like it drops a couple thousand rpm's and is jerky like you describe. It doesn't do it anymore because I got used to the clutching method of my car but I know how you feel. I think it's normal of these cars especially because they are nothing like a piston engine, I've noticed little things like speed of decel is faster than a typical 4 banger which leads me to believe that it's just how these cars are. My shifter also shakes from time to time at idle even more so with the a/c on I just ordered a bhr ignition and am gong to change the plugs out at the same time to see if that makes the difference but my car also has double the mileage yours does so i'm not 100% that will fix your dillema either. Regardless good luck and hope I helped a little :-P

wazup_shorty

You might want to check with another Serie 2 RX8 to feel the difference, but Ive had mine for 30+k miles and all you are discribing seems normal to me, vibration from the shifter at idle and redline, syncro feeling sluggist when not correctly rev match. all depending on the "level" of vibration, a little bit is normal and the syncro on our car are large and made tough but will need a bit more force to push thru at lower rpm.

Mr.ThunderMakeR

^ I was thinking the same thing. This all sounds like (slightly exaggerated) normal behavior.

The trans is geared for really fast shifting, i.e. the top of one gear is near the same RPM as the bottom of the next gear. If you shift too slow, the motor RPM is going to drop too much in between gears, which will cause jerkiness as the clutch brings the motor back up to higher RPM's when you engage the next gear. Easing off the clutch pedal slowly lets the clutch disc bring the motor RPM up more smoothly, but that is gonna wear out your clutch disc faster. The solution is to shift faster and rev-match

As far as the jerkiness when letting off the gas, the rotary engine has very fast throttle response, both on and off. If you let off the gas abruptly, the motor RPM will drop abruptly because there isn't much rotational mass/inertia in the rotary engine to keep it free spinning. This is especially evident at high RPM where drag will cause the RPM to drop more quickly. This is also a reason for needing to shift faster. Solution: learn to be smoother with the gas pedal, both rolling on and rolling off the throttle. Thats just part of the unique experience of driving a rotary.

Shifter vibration at idle is normal. I don't know about that thing with holding the shifter all the way too the left. You shouldn't really be doing that anyways. Vibration at 9000 RPM is normal too. Think about it the transmission input is rotating 9000 times per minute, thats a lot!

That said, if it really is worse than normal you may have a bad motor mount. Take Sugarfree's advice and drive another S2 for comparison. Or check out the motor mounts, or have them checked out at the dealership.

fyrstormer

My 2009 manual has never been easy to shift. I have to be very careful. It takes such precision to shift my car, I'm already an expert at shifting everyone else's manual-transmission cars the first time I drive them.

The shifter has no linkage at all, it just goes straight into the transmission, unlike most cars. The clutch is heavy and grabby, unlike most cars. It feels great when I'm driving like a getaway driver, but in normal traffic it's very fussy. That's just how the car works.

If you think you have a broken mount, take it to the shop and have them check it. There's no point wondering about it, online or offline. Mounts are too easy to check to waste time wondering about them.

Sugarfree135

iTrader: (1)

^^This lol