CruelNewb

Im glad I'm not the only one

B-Nez

I went autocrossing yesterday, and was anxious to see what would happen with my 1-2 shifts. Wouldn't ya know it - it worked beautifully all morning. On my last run, however, I did grind 2nd right after the start. I don't think it cost me any time though, as I was going to be holding speed after the shift, not accelerating. Perhaps just some disrupted concentration.

paradigm

I've noticed the same problems that a few people seem to be seeing. I also sometimes can't get it into second at redline. If I try to slam it into gear it won't go, but if I ease it in it'll take. Also, I don't know if anyone's noticed this, but if you have the car in neutral around a turn, and you try to put it in a gear while you're in the middle of the turn, the gates don't seem to line up and it'll grind like crazy. My guess it the tranny and motor mounts are pretty soft, as this car is designed to appeal to more people. Come to think of it, that may also be the problem with the 1-2 shift. I know in the FD people often missed 3 and hit 5 instead due to the motor mounts not being stiff enough.


My money is on the motor/tranny mounts being the root cause of this problem.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

this weekend a lexus "challanged" me at a stoplight and what can I say, the bastard wouldn't go into 2nd. I hit redline in first, popped the clutch in, pulled the stick back, pulled again, pulled again, then decided to double clutch it and it finally went into 2nd. It never actually ground the gear, the lever just wouldn't go all the way back.

should I be worried?


I also notice some strange clincking noises from time to time.

lurcher

You try to slam it and it doesn't work, but easing works okay? Sounds about right to me... synchromesh isn't perfect! Just ease it faster

(Particularly at Renesis redline - remember you're in race engine territory here...)

Racer X-8

I'm believing this. Thanks! It's been going into 2nd gear every time I don't jam it, and it goes in sweetly. Actually, I haven't even tried jamming it since my 2 times of when I did & it didn't go in. Grinding a pound on that 2nd attempt is really hanging heavily on my mind...

I haven't tried the cornering scenario yet.

spdspappy

I talked to my dealer and he contacted Mazda tech support... They're stating that they haven't heard anything about this. I guess the factory rep is going to be in to the dealer on the 5th. I was wondering if you guys that have had problems (especially those of you who have had something replaced) would mind sending me the last 8 of your VIN so I can give it to the dealer. If you don't want to do that (I understand), would you give me the name of the dealer that performed the warranty work? Thanks!

dvcn

My car is at 1k. No shifting problems noted when shifting at 9k.
I waited until 1k to put the synthetic in to make sure everything was well broken in. On the magnetic drain plugs of the trans and diff there was a bit of sludge. This is normal. I put in Royal Purple(any SATX locals want to know where to get it really cheap, pm me). The trans shifts a bit easier/smoother but there were really no complaints before.

Shift technique counts for a lot.

telco68

I'm having the same trouble with my 8 too. Its been a month since anyone has replied to the last reply. Has anyone taken thier car in for this. I just bought mine a month ago and this is disturbing for me. I'd appreciate someone letting me know what they've come up with.

One more thing, mine will do this dropping two gears to make a quick pass around slower traffic. Real eyeopener when your beside someone with oncomming traffic. Thought it was me but now I'm convinced its not.

telco68

Never mind. I didnt read all the posts. This forum thing is very new for me. My bad.

paradigm

I've noticed that if I start my shift at about 8k and shift a little slower I don't have problems. But if I try to shift faster/higher than that it's a bit tough to get into gear. I feel like it may be a combination of technique and the soft motor/tranny mount thing I mentioned earlier that's causing some people issues. I'll mention it to Cam over at pettit racing next time I'm over there and see what he thinks. Maybe convince him to look into developing a set of stiffer mounts.

B-Nez

I haven't really noticed this happening lately. I'm not sure if it's due to readjustment of the driver's seat (maybe I subconsciously wasn't clutching enough), some other environmental change, or if it just plain got better.

islandsoon

Nope, no problem with sticky 1 to 2 shifts, BUT whether it is the short gearing in 1st vs the ratio in 2nd (or whatever), the RX8 is tough to shift elegantly 1st to 2nd. Everytime I let someone new test drive, and only experienced folks get the test drive, I get all braced for rough 1st to 2nd! Yeap, you get better, but still not a no brainer.
Tom

newport8

I've just started to notice this 1st to 2nd shift problem on my own RX-8. Like the others, it's in the high RPMs that I have problems. At 3k or 4k, there's nothing wrong, but at 7k, it feels especially difficult. No problems with the other shifts. I'm at around 3100 miles now, and I just started to notice this.

Foureagles

I too think it could be luxo-barge smooshy mounts. Now these things don't have external linkages like a 55 Chivvy, but a lot of powertrain movement or tub flex can still mess with foot/hand movement.

A 9,000+ successful 1-2 shift on Dear Wife's 8 goes pretty much like this: ZoooOOOM, 1..., 2..., CLICK, ZooOOOM -- just not acceptable!

My '90 Miata was similar (though not nearly as bad) when new. Redline tranny lube and some break-in helped a bit, and with MazdaComp mounts I can now confidently do "swipe-yank" no-lift powershifts just shy of the limiter all day.

{{{{

Literatii

This just happened to me today. I went to shift from 1st to 2nd at about 7500rpm and it just grinded away. Second attempt grinded, and the third finally went in albeit unwillingly.

spdspappy

The dealer is still working on what to do w/ mine. Right now they're talking about putting in a friction modifier (recommendation by the regional mazda rep).

B-Nez

Friction modifier - that's interesting. I'm, thinking of replacing my tranny and diff fluids with redline. I haven't been getting the 1-2 grind anymore. The other day I started getting a 4-5 grind at moderate rpms (like 3500-4500). Very casual shifting was producing a grind on 5th. Very frustrating. It only did it for a little while, and I haven't heard it since. It was perfectly reproducable that particular day, but I haven't "tried" since.

zoomzooomp5

I also find it hard to put it in 2nd gear. This only occure when I'm at the 1/4 mile track. It seem when I'm at redline and quick try to put it in gear it doesn't seem to go in. In normal drive their no problem. This has hurt my time on several occation.

paradigm

Going with the soft motor/tranny mount theme...........quite a few people fixed this in their rx7's by using an engine torque brace. However it was easy in an rx7, because there were 2 threaded holes in the frame rail on the passenger side directly across from the engine hoist bracket on the back of the intake manifold. For less than 5 dollars in parts from HD racing (home depot) you could build yourself a very effective torque brace.

In the 8 there aren't any pre threaded holes in the frame that would work for building a torque brace.......BUT......The front side engine hoist bracket is directly beneath the strut tower brace. I'm considering making an attempt to weld a couple of bars and a bracket onto the strut tower brace to bolt to the hoist bracket. If I get around to it I'll let everyone know how it turns out.

wakeech

absolutely killer. if it works out make a thread so i can sticky it :D

dvcn

I think there are a variety of reasons people are having trouble. I would have to guess that the most likely problem is shifting technique. I've seen so many people who seem to do fine under normal conditions go to pieces under 'spirited' driving on the track or street. I've seen the usually missed shifts, ground gear, skipped gears and the dreaded unintentional downshift (1-2-1 instead of 1-2-3 which resulted in teeth shredded off of the ring gear in one case).

For those who are 'experienced' drivers who are having shifting problems, just put Royal Purple synthetic in your trans and diff. I've used Mobile1, Valvoline, Redline and Royal Purple. Redline MTL is the only one that gave poor/stiff shifting. This was consistent in four different vehicles.

After I put the Royal Purple in, the shifter just falls into the next gear. Normal driving or 9500rpm shifts, it is the smoothest shifting trans I've felt.

If after changing to Royal Purple and making sure that your left foot is completely to the floor after the next gear is fully engaged and you are still having grinding problems, go to the dealer.

Racing Beat makes a great engine brace for the RX-7's. I'm sure they will put one out for the 8 eventually. Even with the bushings, the brace will add a bit of vibration and harshness.

yellow FE

iTrader: (2)

I took my car to the dealer for a grinding noise my car was making while traveling on the freeway at 65mph I put the car in neutral for upcoming slow traffic (letting it coast for a little to slow down) and while putting it back in to in 5th gear going about 65mph at about 4-5 k in the RPMS it grinds. I did this a couple of times to make sure that the tranny was making the noise. I found out that anytime time I go 65mph or over and put it into 5th it grinds (No I’m not missing the shift). My car has been at Mazda of San Bernardino for 2 weeks now and I was informed that they have to replace my clutch because it was damaged so now I driving a wack gallant.

- I kind of feel that two weeks is a long time to fix this problem, is there anything I can do to speed up the process?

- Has anyone had this problem?

- Is this covered under Warranty, since the clutch is maintenance? By the way the car has 3k miles on it

- If I have more major problems with this car. How many more times before this car is concerned a lemon?

Thanks in Advance for your assistance

sup3rbad

Just having my usual fun shifting through the gears. 1st gear 9k shift. 2nd gear 9k shift. 3rd gear 9k shift. etc. but this time my shift into fourth gear went into 2nd. And ehh overreved. God i hate that. Are my synchros broken? dont synchros prevent you from shifting into the lower gear at unsafe speeds or am i misinformed?

eccles

On the contrary, synchros make it easier to engage a gear - even the wrong one.