HarleyJake

iTrader: (1)

Hey there all. Just would like to quickly say hi as I am a new RX-8 owner and also new to the forums. Ever since I first laid my eyes on one a few years back I just thought it was one of the sexiest cars I had ever seen and just had to have one!LOL Well my dreams came true back in November when I came across a dealership that had one in the color I wanted with a price I couldn't say no to. I bought it brand new and it had been sitting in the showroom, in the back, so I know that nobody had even taken for a test drive. I recently noticed a couple of things that came to light with the transmission. I have searched this board over and over again looking for anything that I could find but after about 1 1/2 weeks of searching I figure I'll just go ahead and ask. The first thing is that it shifted smooth as silk when I first brought her home, I mean the shifts would just glide into place without the slightest bit of effort. I was in heaven. Now shifting feels like a chore, takes a bit of effort to get it to go into gear. A few examples....when at a stop and in N I go to place it into first and it feels like there is a bit of resistance when shifting it into gear and almost feels like it isn't fully engaged in the gear itself. I will then quickly pull it back into neutral (all with clutch depressed of course) and then it will just glide right into 1st without any effort and you can feel it is fully engaged. Also when shifting into the higher gears...2nd, 3rd, 4th and so on I get that same slight resistance and at times it feels like the gear isn't fully engaged. It's not gliding though the pattern like it first did. It only has 2,500 miles on it and yeah I have opened it up a couple of times but I haven't beat on it. I have been driving a stick since I was 16 (32 now) and my last car, 05 Mazda 6i, was a stick and never had any issues like this. What the really weird part about the whole thing is that when I take it for a wash at the laser wash and I get the under carriage wash it goes back to shifting smooth like it did when I first picked it up! It's racking my brain because I can't understand why a underside wash would change that characteristic. It will be fine for about 1/2 day of driving and then go right back to what I described above. The second issue that I am having is it also makes a light "chattering" noise, I'm guessing from the tranny, on acceleration upwards to about 4K. After that I don't know if it goes away or road noise takes over from there. This happens in 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The noise is more pronounced when hot but I still get it at times when cold. Just tonight I had noticed that if I depress the clutch and stick it into 1st and then quickly blip the throttle I get the same chatter noise. Stick it in N and release the clutch and blip the throttle.....no chatter. I have searched on this noise and did come across numerous threads on "MIAC" but the noise I am getting is a little different than that. I have a service appointment on Wednesday the 16th for another problem, the steering wheel being slightly off center. I do want to thank all you for helping me with that without me even having to ask. Just did a quick search....found the TSB that is related to the issue....printed it out and gave the dealership a call. Figured I would get them to check the other stuff as well while it is there for the TSB. I just wanted to throw it past everyone here first and get your opinions on the transmission issues before dropping it off. After reading a whole ton of posts I have to say I really appreciate the tight knit group you guys/gals really are. I'm happy to be part of a group of enthusiasts like each and everyone here is! Thanks for taking the time to read my post and I look forward to any thoughts you guys may have.

laythor

laythor

I fixed it for you so people will actually read it and help out. Have you checked the fluid level in your tranny? Have you swapped it out or had someone swap the fluid for you?
I would suggest swapping the fluid out to something like Redline.

PeteInLongBeach

Since the car is NEW and under warrantly, I would suggest first taking it to the dealer for evaluation.

RogueTadhg

^ I would just leave out the "Open it up" part. I know my car is a bit talkative around 80 (or higher). It's nothing too worrying, as it's my daily driver - I don't want my car gone for 2 weeks to find a rattle.

HarleyJake

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for editing the message! I apologize but it's just my nature to be detailed. I have been meaning to give the Redline Fluid a try so I will order some later this evening when I get home from work. I did notice that if I really push hard and quick on the clutch that the operation of the shifter is once again smooth. I'm wondering if the clutch needs adjusted or if there is air in the line somewhere.

wazup_shorty

Shifting under 3500 always feels "ruffer" for me, its been like that since the first week, havent gotten worst. escpecialy when cold, if you dont get any grinding feel it should all be ok, take it to the dealler for a test drive see what they think.

The transmission is out of a speed mx5 so kinda built for light/quick shift, when you shift at a lower rpm range, and take your time, your syncros need to fight against you rotors slowing down to match the speed, at Higher rpm they got more inertia and shifting quicker gets them to line up faster and feels "smoother".

anyways, welcome to the club hope you enjoy your car as much as us

fyrstormer

The shifting in my gearbox also went through a phase where it went from "smooth as butter" to "box of gravel". To some extent this is because the synchros are very stiff in order to tolerate the forces necessary to function in a sports car with an engine that redlines at 9000rpm, and new owners tend to baby the transmission even though it's plenty strong. Beyond that, I think a lot of the blame can be put on the OEM gear oil, which may be slightly better than crude oil, but I can't be sure.

I put AMSOil GL-5 gear oil into it and it quickly got better, but I recently "downgraded" to Redline GL-4 gear oil because GL-5 oil can chemically react with brass parts and I don't want to find out the hard way if the RX-8 gearbox has brass anywhere in it.

Occasionally you may encounter a situation where a synchro tries to lock into place before the gear is fully synchronized. I've taken up occasionally scrubbing problematic synchros by repeatedly trying to shift into gear with with the clutch closed -- lightly at first, slightly increasing shift pressure each time until I can put as much pressure as I think I'll need without the synchro malfunctioning.

jasonrxeight

its just a new clutch with a lot of meat feels like. you need to push it down further in order to disengage it fully.

ASH8

OP,Umm, not this again...

1. Change out Gear Oil NOW..I use Redline MT90
2. Box has to be HOT to be at it's best.
3. Laser Car Washing can make NO difference to how smooth change is, it is IN YOUR HEAD, what is happening is Heat is rising from exhaust (at idle and car stop) and warming your Gearbox externally.
4. Yes, the Box is MX-5 design/layout But not exact components inside, apart from main-shaft.
The S2 Box is beefed up a little basically.
5. I suggest you have a look at your "driving style", even your "changing style", one does NOT grab the **** to change, one glides it through, they basically find their own direction, if that makes sense.
6. Always make sure clutch pedal is fully to the floor.

Mazurfer

Thanks for the pic! That will come in handy!

Mazurfer

Details are good............just as "Return" or "Enter" key are.

Trying redline in tranny might help. It could be a few other things as well. Is this your first manual vehicle?

fyrstormer

It's a sports car, not a luxury sedan. You're SUPPOSED to shift aggressively.

PeteInLongBeach

Tell that to everyone who has lost their 2nd gear synchronizer....

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Bawhahahaa

I think both you and OP need to read up on this:

http://www.turnfast.com//tech_driving/driving_shifting

ASH8

perfect info

HarleyJake

iTrader: (1)

Just a quick update. The dealership stated that this was "normal" tranny noise and that there is nothing wrong with the transmission. On a second note I installed the Race Roots clutch reinforcement bracket and I must say it is a night and day difference when shifting. It's like I just pulled it off the lot! Next thing on my checklist is the Redline fluid once the weather breaks a little more. And SayNoToPistons I had come across that site before and I'm glad to see that you posted it, lots of good info there on technique.