You guys are scaring me with this stuff about not going from 4th to 6th. Ive been doing that for the last 20k miles and no problems. I would go from 3rd to 5th in my last car all the time, from 30k miles to 110k miles and no problems... That was in a Mercury which I can only assume had a worse transmission than the rx8, but maybe not..

 

Ash, the dealer found a worn gear selection mechanism and were unsure of 6th gear wear but are replacing some of the selection bits and 6th gear.
Alas, I've had to wait 2 weeks for the parts and delivery has now slipped to 5th March, so even without further slippage my car will have spent 6 weeks at the dealers on top of the 2 1/2 weeks before this stretch.

 

Most of the issues (if not all) are in the initial production of Series 2, your 2009 could have the 'old' Synchro's...However IF it was made after 21st April 2009, then you already have the new cones...Frankly, any box will eventually wear out, every time you change gear you are wearing out Synchro Rings/Cones....another reason I am not a fan of engine braking.

 

Build date of 08/2008, not even close lol. Unless you meant to say 2008 rather than 2009.

 

No my dates are correct.

Yours is the same build month/year as mine, mine was built a day before the Beijing Olympics...so not quite 08/08/08.

You have the trans with the older/original rings.

 

Rev maching is your best friend

 

just had mine done but only 5th........no at idle in fifth it drops out !!!!!!!

anyone else same issue.....over here in uk we are finding it very difficult for mazda to actually admitt and sort it

 

Well if my UK mates are having problems Copy and PRINT the Mazda Japan- Europe (UK) factory TSB in this thread...it tells them which cars and what parts...remember these are only for early Series 2's, roughly the first 5 months of production from memory.

 

Ash we are all aware of this but still are banging our heads against a brick wall with the dealers!!!!
Basically if the dealers cant replicate the issue they say there isnt a problem and mazda will not back it up...surely they should look at the VIN info and if it falls with in the dates or numbers then they should rectify......this will be my next email to mazda as i have two members issues now!!!!!!!

Thanks

 

So I am going to give the Ford fluid a shot. I have been using Redline for a year and a half now, and just have not had any success with the gearbox becoming more smooth. I will give the ford fluid a couple thousand miles of use to see if there is any difference at all, then will take it in to have the dealer investigate. Sometimes even at a speed of 5-10mph I cannot downshift from 3 to 2 without dropping down to N, then back up to 3, then down to 2. Going from 1 to 2 gives me some hard notching (not the "normal" notchy of the gearbox) and even a teeny grind. Far worse in cold weather.

 

Just posting my experience... Purchased an 09 r3 out of state and on the drive home noticed 6th gear would grind every time. Had a dealer here in Cincinnati look at it. They replaced 5th and 6th gear synchros and bearings. They also put redline in for me. While the lower gears still are a tad notchy especially when cold, it does shift better overall. Car has 34,000 miles on it.

 

Late reply...

Got you...BUT Mazda or a Mazda Dealer will not replace anything unless the Customer Complains FIRST of a problem and then they can replicate it.
If a dealer cant replicate it, owner takes the tech for a drive and "shows them".

NEVER, go to a Dealer and say, I hear the 5th-6th Synchro's in my car have been updated, what is the chance of having them replaced.?(it happens)..

Just because Mazda does parts changes during production in many area's does not mean they are obligated to renew them with updated or changed parts....

No manufacturer will do this..unless a recall/safety issue.

 

cheers Ash.

have been sayig this to uk members to and also am speaking to Mazda UK in relation to what warranty is on when the gearbox has been repaired.

thanks
Mark.