I've had an issue with shifting into 3rd gear for quite a while now, but it's been an annoyance rather than a major issue. Finally I brought my car in for a whole host of issues, and in detail explained the problem to the shop.

Basically, when shifting into 3rd it feels "crunchy". It's not a smooth shift - getting past the gate just doesn't have the buttery smoothness it used to. It's *not* an issue of grinding, such as the hideous sound of a shift without depressing the clutch. It just isn't smooth.

So, the dealership called and confirmed that there is an issue with the 3rd gear synchronizer that needs to be replaced. Could somebody explain to me how this could be causing the problem, and if the diagnosis makes sense?

Appreciate it.

 

Had similar issue with third, but mine only would grind at 6k+ not at low RPM. Bought a used tranny from Paul at Mazmart, so I cant say diffinitively what the issue is (till I crack the tranny, and I have no time for that.) I can only say that IF the synchros were shot they MIGHT not work at high rpm at first. I might have also had a bent shift fork, this is also likely to have an effect only at high rpm where the synchros have to do more work to catch up to sloppy shifting. Unfortunately, I still got grinding even when rev matching, so I dont know what to say. Then again, no one ever accused me of knowing what I was doing.

For a halfway decent discription of a GENERAL tranny. Look here http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm

This is NOT specific to miata/RX8 trannys. But still a tranny.

 

our trannys suck...get used to it...

 

What exactly was wrong with the synchro? What part of it. The snych key (insert), blocking ring, sleeve?

Dont take this the wrong way, but either its just a failed part (stuff happens), or its your driving/shifting ability (or lack there of).

 

mazda likes to claim 1 miss-shift is all it takes to break a sync in our tranny...i love hearing that...hehe