I know the capacity on the tranny but each time I have done it the two quarts barely filled it. Better to be safe than sorry. Especially if you are ordering your fluid online.

Yea, i ordered online and i spilled some so my tranny is running a lil on the low side until i get some more in so i would recommend getting 3 quarts for the tranny. This time when i add it im going to do it through the shifter. So much easier IMO

Its pretty easy for me since we have a pit at work. Things are so much more simple when you can stand under your car.

so the second time around i added the fluid by removing the shifter and it was so much easier. Literally took like 5 mins to get the shifter out.

Just wondering can you get away with just using a 24mm socket? the website says the drain plug is 23mm.

I don't know, but I'd use an adjustable wrench before I used the wrong size socket.

not sure whether its a UK vs US thing but ive got a friend whos a mazda mech and he said the washers are just generic washers and they dont even stock new ones jus reuse old.

i will be attempting tranny an diff this weekend, i mite do a more detailed how to...
ive got a 500cc oil pump, like a bicycle pump thing fyi

Might be abke to get away with it if the plug is not tight, but chances are you will just round off the plug and make far more work in the long run. Better to buy a 23mm socket now then to buy a tool to remove a rounded plug, a new plug and then the 23mm socket.

You can reuse the washers, just make sure they look good when you take the plug off.

I had spare washers, but my originals looked so good (at only 20k miles) that I just reused them.

i just changed my tranny oil, 2 quarts just about filled it and i mean JUST! lol

my main reason for this is that im gettin a metallic grinding noise coming from the tranny at 8.5k rpm +. it sounds horrible, and if anything it is now a little louder now i have changed oil. gear changes are smoother but im still getting the grinding noise.

im worried and frustrated. anyone know what this could be?

thanks

hey jim what brand of oils are you using???? i had a similar problem when i was using royal purple oils, but all the grinding noises went away after i switch to redline products. :):)

redline, as far as i no i drained stock oil out. its like wen u miss reverse but feels like its in gear, let the clutch out and it grinds, that kinda sound

The manual says 1.8 quarts to fill the trans.

Anyone every put 2 in through the shifter hole?

I am not a fan of filling up your trans casing through the shifter hole, too much oil and you could get seal leaks from the rear extension housing seal or the input shaft seal in the front., and you don't want too little oil either.

Just make sure your car is level and top up through the filler plug hole until it starts to run or dribble out, that is the method used by Mazda and the correct one.

A variation that I use is leaving the top transmission plug out and filling through the shifter.

Not much room to fill the fluid through the top hole on the side of the transmission that is why I improvised that way.

The service departments my car has gone to seem to be technically challenged when it comes to putting the interior back together. I have yet to have it put back together the same way it went in. That may be why they do not fill it this way. Or they could have a pump that allows easier filling. :dunno: :)

put it through the shifter hole..

2 qts.. b&g for the win..

then while in neutral. spin the driveshaft forwards and backwards several times.

then pull the upper fill hole. let it drain for an hour.

done.

beers :beer:

What oil are you guys using that can be bought locally? What brand is used from the factory?

I have tried a few and so far like the Amsoil Severe Gear 75W110 the best.

There should be a dealer located near you. Sometimes retail stores sell Amsoil but are not technically supposed to. I have been a dealer before but it is somewhat of a demanding job for doing it part time. :dunno:

Not sure what the stock gear lube is but I know that it is not synthetic for the early models, have not heard on the newer 8s.

I have had it done before at the dealer and in 98k and (knocks on wood) my gear box and diff had been trouble free.

Good deal?

http://www.amazon.com/Line-50304-Man...1900412&sr=8-1

Changes for '09???
 

I read through the '09 service highlights and the forum to try and find any differences for doing this on an '09. Looks like we use the same GL-4 SAE75W-90 Tranny oil (will use Redline MT-90)
The Rear Diff lists 3 different ones, all API GL-5: Either SAE 90, SAE 80W-90, OR SAE 75W-90 (with note that this is not available from Mazda).
Did the '04-'08 list the same for the rear diff and everyone chose SAE 75W-90 as the one to use (planning on using RedLine 75W90) or did '04-'08 only list one?

Probably do mine in a month or so around 1500-2000 miles. Anyone do this yet on an '09? Same procedure, socket sizes, torque specs? I did see the tranny oil went up to 2.06 quarts, but rear diff stayed at 1.4. Any other changes? Couldn't find the washers at Rosenthall, they state for '04-'08 only. Will check my dealer but wanted any first hand knowledge of the members here first.
Thanks.

^ my '05 manual does list the same three types of differential oil (I use Redline 75w-90)

API Service GL-5 (SAE 90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 80W-90)
API Service GL-5 (SAE 75W-90)*

* Not available from Mazda

You won't need new washers at your low mileage (I reused at 20k even tho' I had new).

Yep, you have it correct..
I use Redline MT90 trans, and GL-5 Rear 75W90..done over
k (Miles).. all is well.

Great DIY this helped me a lot, many thanks.