Now I am having transmission problems...please advise
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Now I am having transmission problems...please advise
About 3 weeks ago I put a 5 speed in my 1980 RX-7. My previous transmission was just a 4 speed.
The 5 speed was a used unit I bought off craigslist.
When I installed the trans, everything appeared to work OK... the only issue I had was when you shifted FROM 1st or FROM 2nd gear I heard this slight whine that (I guess) sounded like Synchros winding up.
It was a subtle sound and I figured I could live with it.
Yesterday I was driving and all of a sudden, everytime I downshifted to 2nd gear....grind!!!
Upshifts were still OK.
I am running Royal Purple gear oil in the trans. I read some old posts that Kentetsu wrote about using half ATF and half gear oil to help with trans synchros and shifting.
I changed the gear oil to the 50:50 mix and took her for a drive... I thought it was a miracle because it upshifted and downshifted perfect!
I then went for a long afternoon cruise (about 175 miles)... She shifted perfect and I even had to emergency slam her in 2nd gear...she still downshifted perfect!!
I thought now I am going to have to personally thank Kentetsu for the advice....then.....
Coming home from the trip....back to grinding going into 2nd and it even grinded a couple of times upshifting.. If you are slow with the shifts, it works OK.
This morning took the car for about 25 miles of errand running.... shifted up and down great and then...back to grinding again..
Seems worse when it is fully warmed up....
Ideas???
The 5 speed was a used unit I bought off craigslist.
When I installed the trans, everything appeared to work OK... the only issue I had was when you shifted FROM 1st or FROM 2nd gear I heard this slight whine that (I guess) sounded like Synchros winding up.
It was a subtle sound and I figured I could live with it.
Yesterday I was driving and all of a sudden, everytime I downshifted to 2nd gear....grind!!!
Upshifts were still OK.
I am running Royal Purple gear oil in the trans. I read some old posts that Kentetsu wrote about using half ATF and half gear oil to help with trans synchros and shifting.
I changed the gear oil to the 50:50 mix and took her for a drive... I thought it was a miracle because it upshifted and downshifted perfect!
I then went for a long afternoon cruise (about 175 miles)... She shifted perfect and I even had to emergency slam her in 2nd gear...she still downshifted perfect!!
I thought now I am going to have to personally thank Kentetsu for the advice....then.....
Coming home from the trip....back to grinding going into 2nd and it even grinded a couple of times upshifting.. If you are slow with the shifts, it works OK.
This morning took the car for about 25 miles of errand running.... shifted up and down great and then...back to grinding again..
Seems worse when it is fully warmed up....
Ideas???
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I changed the oil to Royal Purple when I first did the swap. I then tried the 50:50 mix of ATF and gear oil like several folks on the forum suggested.
Seems to work fine when 1st started. After driving a while is when the grinding starts.
Does seem like I possibly need a thicker viscosity..
Seems to work fine when 1st started. After driving a while is when the grinding starts.
Does seem like I possibly need a thicker viscosity..
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yep, sounds like a hub/synchro problem... either be gentle, or plan on rebuilding
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Has anyone here actually had a Mazda tranny rebuilt? I have found 3 SA 5 speeds here locally. Thing is...will those be shot also!!??
#7
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Old school - unless your a good wrench, swapping in another might be cheaper than a rebuild? we're talking 30 yr old trannys so yes they could be shot, but then, consider all of use here on the forum running same 30 yr olds with no probs
I'd be curious to know if the synchros and other needed bits are even available TO rebuild - maybe THAT will dictate what your solution might be. BTW if you DO go the rebuild route, I have a factory SA rebuild guide for the tranny (tho the FSM might detail this too). PM me about getting a copy.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
I'd be curious to know if the synchros and other needed bits are even available TO rebuild - maybe THAT will dictate what your solution might be. BTW if you DO go the rebuild route, I have a factory SA rebuild guide for the tranny (tho the FSM might detail this too). PM me about getting a copy.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
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Old school - unless your a good wrench, swapping in another might be cheaper than a rebuild? we're talking 30 yr old trannys so yes they could be shot, but then, consider all of use here on the forum running same 30 yr olds with no probs
I'd be curious to know if the synchros and other needed bits are even available TO rebuild - maybe THAT will dictate what your solution might be. BTW if you DO go the rebuild route, I have a factory SA rebuild guide for the tranny (tho the FSM might detail this too). PM me about getting a copy.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
I'd be curious to know if the synchros and other needed bits are even available TO rebuild - maybe THAT will dictate what your solution might be. BTW if you DO go the rebuild route, I have a factory SA rebuild guide for the tranny (tho the FSM might detail this too). PM me about getting a copy.
Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska
The FSM does show overhaul of the trans, but maybe not as much detail as the guide you have.. Thanks, and I might be interested in getting a copy.
I am going to try Redline MT90 first.... I have read MANY testimonies saying that it cured the grinding synchros.. Mine does not grind upshifting and downshifts fine when the tranny is cold.
It seems to get crunchy when the tranny gets hot.
#9
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Sounds like the ATF cleaned the crap out of your synchros, only to find that your synchros are shot. Can't fix that with an addative, unfortunately. Grab a used tranny and beat it til it dies.
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I am still gonna try the redline...only because it shifts fine when the tranny is cool.. I talked to our oil expert here at Dow (where I work) and he mentioned that the viscosity of the ATF and gear oil is too low at higher temps and not doing it's job correctly.
One thing I noticed, the ATF and gear oil mixture is definitely thinner... now my seal is leaking slightly where before the gear oil would not leak!
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mazda has plenty of normal wear parts, also you can get synchro's and stuff aftermarket. the pieces that are hard to get are things like gears, which were really expensive anyways
#14
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Tranny and Diff are the only parts I've never dissected, outside of changing seals and bushings and such, or swapping complete innards.
I tackled an automatic trans rebuild for my 73 satellite once (the car before my -7). Lasted almost 6 months; I just didn't have the tools needed to get it righter.
I tackled an automatic trans rebuild for my 73 satellite once (the car before my -7). Lasted almost 6 months; I just didn't have the tools needed to get it righter.
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Dunno about the tailshafts...
I tried swapping to Redline MT90.... same thing... Grinding on 2nd gear.
I am going to pickup a SA22 5 speed from Mazmax this Friday. Will give that a try. I don't feel like farting around with rebuilding one. Hopefully the one I gets works good. He is giving a 30 day warranty which at least lets me know if it will work right...
I tried swapping to Redline MT90.... same thing... Grinding on 2nd gear.
I am going to pickup a SA22 5 speed from Mazmax this Friday. Will give that a try. I don't feel like farting around with rebuilding one. Hopefully the one I gets works good. He is giving a 30 day warranty which at least lets me know if it will work right...
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#20
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Well today I added lucas oil stabilizer to the transmission and wow..... it is doing so much better. No crunching at all upshifting...none... Not near as much crunching down shifting and none if I am just a "little" patient with it....
So.... time will tell.. I am going to give it a little more driving time before I decide to dump money into rebuilding or replacing it...
So.... time will tell.. I am going to give it a little more driving time before I decide to dump money into rebuilding or replacing it...
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hmm i think if you wanted to go the other way, FB trans with SA tailhousing that always works? maybe you swap the shift rod?
but putting an FB tail housing on an early SA box, can be done, but you need to change the shift fingers, doable, but more work than its worth, unless you were gonna take it apart anyways
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Well it's been about 15 days since I added Lucas with Redline MT-90...... she has been shifting just fine!!!
A little side not about Lucas products... I have been running Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak to my engine... It has the same basic stock as Lucas Oil Stabilizer but also has some additive to soften and swell the seals.... It has been looking good so far.... Used to every morning start belched out tons of smoke... now i can start with no smoke.
I am still a little on edge about bragging about the oil reduction.... This car was using a quart every 200 miles before!!
A little side not about Lucas products... I have been running Lucas Engine Oil Stop Leak to my engine... It has the same basic stock as Lucas Oil Stabilizer but also has some additive to soften and swell the seals.... It has been looking good so far.... Used to every morning start belched out tons of smoke... now i can start with no smoke.
I am still a little on edge about bragging about the oil reduction.... This car was using a quart every 200 miles before!!
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Dunno about the tailshafts...
I tried swapping to Redline MT90.... same thing... Grinding on 2nd gear.
I am going to pickup a SA22 5 speed from Mazmax this Friday. Will give that a try. I don't feel like farting around with rebuilding one. Hopefully the one I gets works good. He is giving a 30 day warranty which at least lets me know if it will work right...
I tried swapping to Redline MT90.... same thing... Grinding on 2nd gear.
I am going to pickup a SA22 5 speed from Mazmax this Friday. Will give that a try. I don't feel like farting around with rebuilding one. Hopefully the one I gets works good. He is giving a 30 day warranty which at least lets me know if it will work right...
Last edited by Willy92; 11-07-09 at 01:39 PM. Reason: spelling