Ok i have a 04 manual Rx8 and im having problems with my transmission.

When the car is in "N" it makes a weird noise as if the cluth is rubbing aginst something when I push the clutch down the noise stops.

2nd problem the car will not pull in 1st. If I put it in 1st gear it will stay but when I ease off the clutch it falls out of gear and makes a gringing noise in the process of falling out.

3rd problem the car will not stay in reverse either same problem with it as with 1st gear.

4th problem the car makes a clutch rubbing noise in all gears and im wondering is this my clutch or my transmission or some other part. If anyone knows anything about this problem please let me know..

 

1st issue sounds normal. The sound comes from the clutch engaging the free-spinning layshaft in the transmission (see article on transmissions on howstuffworks site to see how this works). The transmission in this car is really close to the passenger cabin, so the noise is louder than average car. Use a synthetic gear oil (e.g. Redline) to help with the sound and transmission smoothness.

2nd problem sounds like a potential problem, unless you just aren't pushing the stick all the way in gear. Does this happen all the time or just sometimes? On occasion I can't get the stick fully into first (dog teeth not lined up properly), so I just put in neutral, clutch out, then try again.

3rd problem is a known quirk with this car. My fix that works 100% is to put the gear in reverse, then hold the stick down as you release the clutch slowly. You will feel the stick pop into place.

4th issue is probably just the usual transmission noise. As stated this is normal and can be made better with synthetic gear fluid.

 

perfectly said.....

 

I cant get the car to stay in gear and Ive tried so many times to take it out and put it back in gear but it just wont work could it be the clutch or something?

 

reverse going bad is a sure sign that a new trans will be required soon, this is not the same issue of it not going in and requiring a double clutch ... combined with the noise it' likely extreme internal wear

 

^ yes new trans or a rebuild soon...

Had same problem with the gears falling out(not literally) and grinding on my honda, replaced the worn synchros and and ring spring and its smooth as new...

 

yeah if it just wont' stay in prob synchro's but trust me don't pull too hard on the shifter or you will bend your shifting forks....been there done that not fun...trust me

 

The things thats bothering me is that it will pull in 2nd,3rd,4th,5th,6th but makes a lil clutch noise, so im guessing it isnt the transmission, well thats what im hopeing at least

 

I have heard of many of these transmissions not lasting past 30k miles

 

and you heard that where?

beers

 

Kevin Landers has said that they have syncro issues with low miles.

Also, two local dfw owners(Mike and Jamal) have each told me there trans have syncro issues with less than 40k.

 

there have been some issues, but the sky is not falling..

beers

 

I'm on #3 and it has a 3rd gear synchro grind, hoping to pull it down soon and make the fix, so yeah the sky isn't falling, there's just a gaping hole in the ground down to hell ...

definitely the weakest part on an RX-8

 

i have the EXACT same problem ...and ALL my gears grind when im trying to shift in to the next gear or drop a gear ; including reverse.... would it be the transmission problem or clutch ? because i went to mazda today and they say it cost $140 to look at it ...I was like "WTF...isnt my car still in extended warranty ?" ...they said they will cover it ONLY IF it is a internal transmission problem .....SO , if its a clutch problem , they wont cover it because its a wear and tear item ....Anyone can tell me what problem it would be ? Would it be the Transmission or Clutch ?

 

sorry,

your car is the hurricane hunter..

beers

 

Your transmission is shot. The shifter should never pop out of gear. Could be a long while before it fails outright though.

The RX8 tranny is pretty good. but it's a sports car, so it's designed to be lightweight, not bulletproof. If you abuse it by shifting to hard, shifting without the clutch, etc, you can and will damage it.