My transmission makes a terrible clunking noise in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, then stops doing it in 4th. On the mazdatrix site it says this means the bearings are bad and a new tranny is needed (or a rebuild). I have a new used one lined up for $75 that is apparently in excellent condition. Should I go ahead and swap it in or is it possible that the problem roots from another source?

 

FOR 75$ get it this should fix the noise but this is a guess at best ,but an extra trans for 75 is a no brainer get it.

 

Try this. Start the car in neutral, push in the clutch, the bearings will not be turning. Do you hear noise? Let the clutch out. The bearings are now turning. If you hear noise, the bearings are bad.

 

strange noises in 1st to 3rd that go away in 4th usually do mean it's an internal problem...

 

ok not to hijack or anything, but instead of starting another thread:

My tranny doesn't shift smoothly anymore. It kinda stops in some places, but not completely... Like... It's a jerky movement to shift. It doesn't grind at all, and the clutch just got replaced... It's just the stick has spots where it likes to sit. It pops into place rather than just moving there. My last tranny didn't do that, and this one has recently developed this.

Is this something to be worried about?

For real, sorry I don't mean to hijack.

 

make sure it has fluid in it for starters

hey my tranny's goofy too... i can shift from 5th to Reverse.

 

redwood ~
yeah, if you're getting that clunking or humming noise only in certain gears, then your tranny is toast. definitely jump on that $75 tranny and invest in some Redline lubricant either the gear oil or MTL ... and it might be worth changing the front tranny seal, rear motor seal and pilot bearing before you put it in as well ... may not be necessary, just a thought to save future grief


wattz ~
the only thing i can think of is check to make sure the shifter itself is not loose (there are 3 10mm bolts that hold it down) ... maybe someone else might have another suggestion

 

That reminds me, I can't find the tranny fluid thing?

My stepdad is baffled as hell about it too. He's like, "That little ol' import ain't got no place to put in any fluid!!"

 

the drain plug should be easy to find; but i usually just hold it over a drain pan, while i have it out, to let it drain out the rear of the tranny. then i put the tranny in and fill it, just remove the shifter and pour it through there - that's what i do.

 

the fill plug is really close to the starter. just look at the end of the starter and you should be able to see the fill plug.