Hello,

So I brought my car into Mazda today to get the 32 month check done and have them look into a problem I'm having with 5th gear. I can't gear down from 6th to 5th at speeds of 100km without the gear griding. Turns out my 5th gear syncro needs to be replaced. The dealer put in a request to do a complete tranny replacement. They said in there expereince this is the best option. I should have an answer from Mazda Canada by Friday. I'm hoping for a replacement as I have had nothing but problems with the tranny. Last year I had 3rd and 4th gears replaced and my third gear is still a little loose until the car gets warm.

Has anybody else had a 5th gear syncro problem. Did they replace the tranny?

I will keep everyone posted on the outcome.

FYI--Avante Mazda gives great customer service and will really go to bat with MNAO for you. They are very trust worthy.

 

Could you do us a favor and check your door for the build date? You got it august 03, most of the rx8's with tranny problems have been july/august 03 build dates.

 

Your right I did take delivery August 03. I'm picking up my car tonight. So I will check the exact build date and let everyone know.

 

interesting that is the 4th RX-8 (I have heard) that is gone in syncro in 5th gear

 

Wow, mines a Sept '03 build date. I have heard about the second gear synchro going more than the fifth.

 

Hey Guys,

As per above question. My built date is 06/03. I beleive that is the built date all the tranny issues have occured. I still haven't heard if they are going to replace it or just fix it. I'm hoping for a complete replacement. I will keep everyone posted

 

Same as my build date i believe. That is right around all the problems. SOB's probably will fix it, if not print out the threads about tranny problems and start bitching.

 

If I'm on the highway above about 5K, 4th to 5th or 6th to 5th feels crunchy (like going from 2nd to 1st at 15mph, with the clutch pushed in) - not too bad, but not the snick/snick I get in other gears - going in for my 40k service today - we shall see what it brings... I'm also experiencing rough idle, not teeth rattling but rougher than it was, motor mounts probably loose or need replacing.

Cheers,

Alex

 

Similar to the first post, shifting from 6th to 5th at higher speeds was ever so slightly grinding, same thing 4th to 5th under harder than normal acceleration. The dealer checked it out and is going to rebuild the transmission. I asked if replacing it was an option, but they said no, a rebuild is what they are told to do by Mazda. I'm still under warranty, so I'm happy that the issue is being addressed before I hit 50k.

My build date is 07/03, so it fits the theory. I have 40k miles.

I also have slightly rough idling, but it is not my motor mounts. The dealer said it was most likely my spark plugs, so they are going to be replaced.

 

I have around 27k miles on mine and it was build in July 03 and my tranny has been nothing but perfect for me. I guess I have a few miles to see if that continues to hold true.

 

Hey Gang,

Just an update to this thread. Mazda has decided to give me a new transmission. They are putting it in Tuesday. I can't wait. I will keep everyone update on how it goes.

 

I blew a 3rd gear synchro in my Nissan..they replaced the whole tranny..cuz nissan tranny blow

 

I am having the same problem with my 4th gear synchro. If I shift from 3rd to 4th above 6k rpms I get the grind. Not sure what I'm gonna do since i'm out of warranty (64k miles).

 

I have the exact same problem!! I posted my issue in the tranny issue thread about 6 months ago. Everytime I try to shift into 5th from six gear at high speeds I get this grinding like feel/noise. I took it into the dealer and they told me that everything was fine. Fortunatly I have a paper trail documenting my concerns so if this issue were to get worst down the line one would think they would correct the problem and asorb any cost. Can you PM me with your dealer contact information. Perhaps I can chat with them and have them coordinate with a dealer in CA to get them to open their eyes and see that it is a synchro and NOT normal.

 

I just checked my build date and it's 12/03. And I got 29K miles (noticed it at 23K).

 

Time to drain those gear fluid and have a look if there are metal fillings in the fluid

 

I did the redline swap about 6 months ago when I was experiencing this issue. I found no metal shavings and the issue remains. It has to be the synchro.

 

Well I have a new tranny and what a difference. Every gear feels better, even the clutch.

 

Damn I though I was the only one that was having this problem. I have a '03 and I have the same problem as other people, with going from 4th to 5th or from 6th to 5th at higher speeds. And the problem with going to 1st from 2nd from about 15 mph.
I have an some mods on my car, so I don't know if they will do any warranty stuff on my car. How much am I looking at spending if they do need to rebuild the tranny. At least when the tranny is out I could get a street/ strip clutch put in, and a RB flywheel.

 

I have the same problem when trying to shift into 5th from 4th or 6th. It doesnt shift smooth...it feels alittle rough. A buddy of mine(a former 8 owner) noticed it too. Im taking it in to have this, my idling issue and the spray paint can rattle sound that Im hearing looked at. My build date was 4/03 I have 41,000 miles on her.

 

My 5th gear synchro was going so the dealer rebuilt the tranny....I took it home, felt great for the 40mile drive. Pulled it out the next morning and noticed a small amount of oil on the ground. Brought it back in to the dealer and they found that a bolt wasn't tightened enough to crush the aluminum "crush" washer. Took it home, drove it the next day with no problems, pulled into the garage and noticed the check engine light came on.... I love the Rx8 but the technicians just suck..... A mistake can happen to anyone but the Mazda techs seem to drop 40 IQ points when they come within 10 feet of an 8.

It is so damn frustrating

 

Several times while hard accelarating I have had it grind going into 5th, but I can't be positive it wasn't me shifting like crap.

 

That is how it started with me.... I was wondering if I wasn't pushing the clutch all the way in, or maybe letting it out too soon. After a day or so Iknew it was not me and had it checked out - they rebuilt my tranny.

 

I have a dilemma. My car with about 55k miles grinds going into third at high rpms. All other gears are fine and no drama at normal rpms. I have two dealerships nearby and I don't trust either too much skill wise. I don't need to shift into third at high rpms other than to test mods on a g meter. Could it mean the synchro is going out? Is this the symptoms of that? Or more to the point, is it less costly to do nothing and just don't shift into 3rd at high rpms, or should I have this looked at now? Anyone have any idea of the cost of repairing a synchro? Thanks.

 

I am not sure the cost of repairing a synchro but in the past when Mazda has replaced one or two it did not fix the problem. Best bet is to push for a new transmission if they offer replacing the synchro.