04 8 with 24K miles. Last week I noticed a grinding like noise when ever I shift into 5th (doesnt matter is its from 4th to 5th or from 6th to 5th). I did notice that if I were to shift into 5th very slowly the noise would not occur. Any ideas? I will be bringing it into the dealer next week and will keep you up to date.

 

There are some threads dealing with shift fork and synchronizer problems with a few of the early build MT cars. Best that you do a search and read those. I think you will find at least a partial answer to your problem. As I recall, there is at least one, unpublished service "bulletin"related to this problem that was posted in the forum. And if the existing posts don't detail your specific problem, you will at least be much smarter when you take the car in for service.

 

Yeah, had the same problem - it dissapeared it's self..... than it started to grind first rofl, that stopped too.

My syncro is all fucked up..

 

I also have the same problem with 5th but it only happens when I downshift from 6 on the highway. I will bring it to the dealer in the spring unless it gets worse. For now I don't do a lot of down shifting to 5th. If I need to pass someone or go fast on the highway I take advantage of the high reving engine and down shift to 4th.
I had the same problem with 3rd and 4th. They ended up replacing the synchros. I think that problem may have been due to me power shifting from 3rd to 4th at really high speeds and high RPM's on the highway. Mazda actual said if I had trouble with that same gear it will not be covered under warranty. I'm gald I'm only have a little trouble with 5th.

 

Found the link https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=transmission I will be bringing my car into the dealer tomorrow and will keep you posted. Yes I speed shift every once in a while but you would think it would affect 2nd and 3rd (the gears I speed shift with) not 5th!?!?!?

 

Try double declutching, if no noise audible then your synchro is busted

 

I am unfamiliar with this "double declutching" method. Can you please explain in detail.

 

Ok the Mazda dealer is telling me that this 5th gear grind is normal and that they test drove some 05 models on their lot and they make the same sound?!?! I'm going to try to test drive one of these 05 models on the lot to verify it for myself. At any rate I feel as if they are jerking me around so im requesting a descriptive paper trail explaing the issues with the gear so if this were to fester later in the future i'll have paper work to back it up.

 

The simple fact is that if you are shifting the car normally, and the tranny fluid is warmed up, there should be NO grinding. Period. That dealer is feeding you BS in the hope you will go away. Even if the cars on their lot do the same thing, and I doubt that, it is still a problem that Mazda must repair under the warranty. If you continue to get the runaround from this dealer, take your car to another dealer and then do yourself and others a favor and call Mazda North American Operations (USA) directly at 800-222-5500 with your story. They will have a talk with that particular dealer and make sure you get a fair diagnosis of your problem.

 

Thanks man. I'll be calling the 800 # today

 

Sure. Let us know how it goes.

 

Spoke to Jim ext #1140 with Mazda North American Operations and he advised me to contact Tustin Mazda since they have great customer service. I contacted Tustin Mazda and they said to bring it into the dealer closer to my house (Huntington Beach which also has great customer service) and that the 5th gear grind is probably because of the clutch?!?!? I've had the car for a year and only have 24K miles and drive mostly freeway miles. Ive only dropped the clutch a few times other than that I treat my car as if its a porcelin doll and I get this crap!!! Well I guess its off to the Huntington Beach dealer. If this continues im just selling my 8 and never buying a Mazda again.

 

Just hope that if it is the clutch, that they don't try to attribute the problem to your driving. Stay calm if they do and casually mention that you already talked to MNAO about the problem.

BTW, dropping the clutch, even if only "...a few times.." can do damage, depending on rpm, road surface, speed shifting, and so on.

 

Shortly after my conveersation with MNAO the district manager of Anaheim Mazda called me and said that he would personally take a drive with me to experience this gear issue. He said his mechanic had ruled out the clutch when he first diagnosed the vehicle so that can't be it. I will give this Anaheim dealer another shot then off to Huntington Beach if its not resolved.

 

DAMN IT!!!! I just noticed my car is doing the exact same thing.
It happens at high rpm's when shifting from 4th to 5th.

 

Yep Surfcity or is it Surfside? They just changed their name, great service same people as before.

 

Hey Razz,
I took my car into them last week because of a broken motor mount (they ordered new one). Any recommendations as to which service writer to deal with? I used to take my 626 there and there was a guy named Brent, he still there?