I've been reading up on the various transmission issues people have been having with their RX8s but I haven't been able to find something exactly like my case... If there is, forgive me for yet another tranny thread!

Whenever I try to shift up or down to 2nd when the tranny is COLD, I get a horrible crunching/grinding noise and the gear will not engage unless I physically hold the gear in. Every other gear shifts like butter. (I am fully depressing the clutch/clutch bracket is not cracked/damaged) As the transmission heats up, it gets easier and easier to shift into second until the problem disappears.

The general consensus seems to be that the 1-2 synchronizers are shot. However, I have read that master clutch cylinders and bent shift forks are also known to cause grinding problems.... Either way, why does this problem only appear when the transmission is cold? Also, is it really most likely my synchros?

Sorry for the long post, but this problem has been driving me crazy and I would really like to try and get it fixed without having to go to the extreme of buying another tranny.

*When turn off the car, put it into 2nd, and then start, it goes in without a hitch.

 

Have you ever changed your transmission fluid?
However it looks like you need a transmission rebuild since your clutch pedal seems ok (your words).

 

Ah, right. I did change the trans/diff fluids to redline and it did make a slight improvement. Still problematic when cold though...

 

Welcome to the new transmission club then

 

ahhhhh... is there anything I can do to avoid becoming a member yet? Anything cheaper I can try?