These are some of the problems I have been experiencing and wanted some input.

~2004 6MT with Around 129,000Miles clutch was changed 3k miles ago.

~In 1st gear around low revs (1-3k) I've been experiencing alot of jerking. I don't know if this is normal. For example I have to be extremely sensitive when pressing on the gas or the car jerks like crazy. And when i let off the gas around 2k RPM the car just jerks(Feels like there is a loss in power). RPM bounces a little as well. This is all avoidable when I press in the clutch more.

~This only affects 1st gear as well. I've been noticing when my car is around 4k RPM or lower (1st gear) and I press in the clutch it makes an abrupt clunking noise? I can feel a vibration that pulses up and down in the pedal but it's not that great. Feels like something is shaking when that happens. It is not all the time. Happens when Im approaching like a red light and go from 1st to neutral. I had the clutch changed around 3k miles ago but it has always done this.

~Now shifting. This is regarding mostly with 1-3 gears. It seems my shifting feels a little balky? There is a noticeable clunking noise when shifting to 2nd and 3rd. 2nd gear being worse. There is no grinding. Although, sometimes shifting to 3rd gear feels like there is some sort of metal touching. I get scared because i think it's closed to grinding? 1st gear is sometimes hard to get into...especially around 5-10MPHs. When I granny shift these symptoms are less noticeable. Shifts to 5th and 6th are fine. Transmission fluid was changed around 7k miles ago but didn't make a difference. Also a whirring/Whining noise is present when I put it into 1st or 2nd gear. Not that loud though.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

I would check and replace motor mounts...they are notorious for going out on these, at less mileage than you have.

Some of it may be slack in your transmission, after all they are fairly weak devices as well.

 

I would guess the above post is probably correct.

Otherwise: Are you talking about the shifter clunking, with is your tranny?

Also it could be a poor clutch install.

Plus: What type of clutch did you install? Sounds like you have a 6 puck race clutch or Super heavy duty clutch.

 

Not really a wrong way to install a clutch, and have it still function correctly without making noise or failing to shift. Also clutches have jack to do with acceleration (when not actuating the clutch pedal). If I understood the first post correctly he gets jerking when accelerating in gear at low speeds.

 

1) Was a lightweight flywheel also installed?
2) You may want to try resetting the e-shaft profile.
3) Make sure the clutch pedal free-play is set to 1/4"-1/2" at the pedal pad.
4) Clean the MAF sensor just for kicks, too, and make sure the air filter is clean.

 

Light flywheel is not installed.
Clutch is a Exedy Stage 1 but symptoms were present before the install as well.
The jerking is present when letting off the throttle alittle bit in low gear(It feels really really sensitive.)

 

These guys got it right Check out your Motor Mounts it's not hard...made my car feel like new ...

 

as far as the "balky" shifting, was it present before you clutch change and if not, what type of fluid are you using? does it exhibit these symptoms (balky shifting) when cold and warm or one or the other?

 

rx8 has a direct mount shifter, you gonna feel a lot more information thru the shifter.

1st gear is always very touchy, especially the transition between on and off throttle.

 

Like a moth to a flame.

 

+1 The motor mounts. I just got my car back from the shop with a new mount (2004 with 97,000 miles), it solved a jerky start up from idle, which required me to feather clutch out on all starts, some instability to the idle, and a fair amount of noise.

It did not solve the misfire and some stumbling to the idle, but that would have more to do with just borderline compression test.

In your case, I would get the mounts checked. I think that you have at least one bad one.

 

The balky shifting is more present when the car is cold. When I first bought this car(An year ago?) The shifts were smoother. This was the first manual car I started on so I guess It might of taken some abuse. I'm asking because 4th+ gears are fairly smooth. 2nd is the worst.

The car is fine in idle. Another question: Why is there a fanning noise when in neutral and the sound disappears as you press in the clutch?

 

Might need a fluid swap.
Consider the clutch pedal as a potential issue, too.
"Roll-over" noise. Annoying but normal for the Aisin tranny in the RX-8.

 

The "fanning noise" is a the throwout bearing. Don't worry about it, that's normal.

The stock gear oil is only good to fifty thousand miles at the outside. If it hasn't been changed then you should do that.

Did you ever get the motor mounts checked?

 

Sounds like you are having the same issues as me. My is 04 at 90k miles. When you take off, does your stick shake like crazy? or when you down shift (rev matching) does your stick shake like crazy? also you can feel your gas peddal vibrating pretty hard. if so most likely its your motor mount. In my case its my right, which i shall be replacing both this weekend.

I suggest you dont drive the car hard. If you want to see the symptons here you go http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-09-2062.pdf

Also if is due to motor mount and you are going to to replace really soon, ( I drove my mine broken for a whole year, til now its shaking really bad) while in 3rd gear try to reach red line, the car should act like it going to red line at 7 or 8..

Also if you turn on your AC (due to load) it should make your engine shake which will make a rattle noise , if your mount is cracked.

Any how good luck

 

Also forgot to add, if ur mount is bad, while in neutral rev ur car to about 3k. While the rpms are dropping, u should hear a noise that doesn't sound normal.

 

Hmmm. Speaking of that. A buzzing/humming noise is present at 3k miles ONLY when the A/C is on though. Would that be the Motor mounts?

 

How much would new motor mounts cost at a Mazda dealership? I'm mechanically declined so I probably won't be able to do it myself.

 

No. Wrong.

The throwout bearing is used when the clutch pedal is pressed. When the pedal is at rest, so is the bearing...it is not contacting anything or turning. Thus it cannot be making noise when the pedal is at rest.

Noise in neutral is in the transmission itself. The reason it stops when you push the clutch pedal in (in neutral) is because the input shaft of the trans also stops.

Noise when pushing the pedal can be in the throwout bearing or pilot bearing.

 

The mounts themselves are around $200 for the pair IIRC, or a hair more. The labor would probably be that much again. Really it is a job you can do yourself with a set of jackstands, a good sized floor jack and some 2x4 chunks, and hand tools.

 

Hmm what I would do is, Drive with out the AC on for a about 3 miles to. Once your car is warmed up and after you drove about 3 miles kick on the AC, should make the engine rattle.

I hate to say what it is, since I cant look at it. I dont know, I wish i could really help you though.

Here is a DIY , have some other tips of chaning it out also. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-do-yourself-forum-73/diy-motor-mounts-installation-tips-119849/

 

Thanks for all the input! It's easier said than done, and I don't have spare time to do this even if I had the knowledge That's why I asked about the dealer quotes.

 

aww i see. Well pm mazmart or go to finishlineperformance.com. I would skip out on the dealership and call a local garage that can do it cheaper.because if you do it with mazda, you might as well walk in backwards bent over.

 

Dude, it's a whopping 3 bolts per mount. You jack up the car, loosen the top bolt on each mount, jack up the transmission to lift the engine a little, you unbolt the other 2 bolts on each mount, swap them, put the bolts back in and let the engine down, and you're done. We're not launching the space shuttle here bro.

 

/\ may as well be a space shuttle if you don't have any mechanical ability ....