i think my transmission is stupid
05-05-04, 12:25 AM
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i think my transmission is stupid
okay, just got my 89 NA:
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=298664
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=302688
now i have been having some problems with the transmission:
1) shifting into 1st is sometimes a bitch, even at a DEAD stop.
2) sometimes the transmission is quite noisy. could be normal, seeing as how i haven't owned one of these cars before.
3) it feels as though the transmission still has some connection to engine, even when the clutch is FULLY depressed. if i push the clutch in and give it some throttle, i can see the shifter moving. also, it is hard to shift into reverse, and sometimes IT GRINDS! and this is with the clutch TO THE FLOOR. i know for a fact that reverse does not have synchros and can grind easily. the car doesn't move when any of this happens, however.
4) my shifter is always warm. i mean if i touch the metal part of the shifter (inside the boot), i can feel it as noticeably warm. is this normal?
5) i think the sychros suck, especially in 2nd. i'm far from an expert MT driver, but i try to really shift smoothly, but it is hard NOT to get it to jerk, both upshifting and downshifting. this is not noticable in higher gears.
6) i think this may be unrelated, but i would like to know what is going on: when i go at WOT, and then shift fast at high RPMs (6k+), there is this banging sound. it seems to originate from slightly in front and below. it sounds like taking a hollow pipe and hitting it against the pavement, almost as if you dropped it from a small height. i don't feel anything physical or performance wise happen when i hear this, and there are no strange smells or anything. just the sound. what could it be?
other than that, the car really pulls strong, and i can slap her between the gears, without ANY clutch slippage. i do believe that the previous owner put in a centerforce clutch, but i don't know the specifics on that. anyways, what are your thoughts on this?
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=298664
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=302688
now i have been having some problems with the transmission:
1) shifting into 1st is sometimes a bitch, even at a DEAD stop.
2) sometimes the transmission is quite noisy. could be normal, seeing as how i haven't owned one of these cars before.
3) it feels as though the transmission still has some connection to engine, even when the clutch is FULLY depressed. if i push the clutch in and give it some throttle, i can see the shifter moving. also, it is hard to shift into reverse, and sometimes IT GRINDS! and this is with the clutch TO THE FLOOR. i know for a fact that reverse does not have synchros and can grind easily. the car doesn't move when any of this happens, however.
4) my shifter is always warm. i mean if i touch the metal part of the shifter (inside the boot), i can feel it as noticeably warm. is this normal?
5) i think the sychros suck, especially in 2nd. i'm far from an expert MT driver, but i try to really shift smoothly, but it is hard NOT to get it to jerk, both upshifting and downshifting. this is not noticable in higher gears.
6) i think this may be unrelated, but i would like to know what is going on: when i go at WOT, and then shift fast at high RPMs (6k+), there is this banging sound. it seems to originate from slightly in front and below. it sounds like taking a hollow pipe and hitting it against the pavement, almost as if you dropped it from a small height. i don't feel anything physical or performance wise happen when i hear this, and there are no strange smells or anything. just the sound. what could it be?
other than that, the car really pulls strong, and i can slap her between the gears, without ANY clutch slippage. i do believe that the previous owner put in a centerforce clutch, but i don't know the specifics on that. anyways, what are your thoughts on this?
05-05-04, 12:30 AM
#2
1. Your bushings are shot, $20 from mazda.
2. Yes they are warm, esp since the cat is sitting RIGHT THERE.
3. Reverse grinds in all cars. Carefully slide it in and give it a little gas.
4. Your clutch is either bad or needs to be bled.
5. Sounds like your low on tranny fluid.
2. Yes they are warm, esp since the cat is sitting RIGHT THERE.
3. Reverse grinds in all cars. Carefully slide it in and give it a little gas.
4. Your clutch is either bad or needs to be bled.
5. Sounds like your low on tranny fluid.
05-05-04, 01:51 AM
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Originally posted by RETed
Can a transmission be smart?
-Ted
Can a transmission be smart?
-Ted
http://www.nissan-global.com/PDF/tcvt_e.pdf
05-05-04, 01:56 AM
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anyways, back on topic...i will get new bushings and check out the tranny fluid.
BTW spyder, are your #s matching to my numbers? are you saying low fluid for 5 or 6?
BTW spyder, are your #s matching to my numbers? are you saying low fluid for 5 or 6?
05-05-04, 02:18 AM
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#3) (the grinding into reverse) try this: with the clutch in all the way, put the stick into reverse, then SLOWLY let the clutch up while continuing to push the stick into reverse. you should feel the shifter click into place... now it's actually IN reverse, where previously it was only very close 
resulting in grindage.
did that work?
resulting in grindage. did that work?
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05-05-04, 02:49 AM
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Re: i think my transmission is stupid
Originally posted by coldfire
okay, just got my 89 NA:
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=298664
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=302688
2) sometimes the transmission is quite noisy. could be normal, seeing as how i haven't owned one of these cars before.
3) it feels as though the transmission still has some connection to engine, even when the clutch is FULLY depressed. if i push the clutch in and give it some throttle, i can see the shifter moving. also, it is hard to shift into reverse, and sometimes IT GRINDS! and this is with the clutch TO THE FLOOR. i know for a fact that reverse does not have synchros and can grind easily. the car doesn't move when any of this happens, however.
4) my shifter is always warm. i mean if i touch the metal part of the shifter (inside the boot), i can feel it as noticeably warm. is this normal?
5) i think the sychros suck, especially in 2nd. i'm far from an expert MT driver, but i try to really shift smoothly, but it is hard NOT to get it to jerk, both upshifting and downshifting. this is not noticable in higher gears.
6) i think this may be unrelated, but i would like to know what is going on: when i go at WOT, and then shift fast at high RPMs (6k+), there is this banging sound. it seems to originate from slightly in front and below. it sounds like taking a hollow pipe and hitting it against the pavement, almost as if you dropped it from a small height. i don't feel anything physical or performance wise happen when i hear this, and there are no strange smells or anything. just the sound. what could it be?
okay, just got my 89 NA:
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=298664
- https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...hreadid=302688
2) sometimes the transmission is quite noisy. could be normal, seeing as how i haven't owned one of these cars before.
3) it feels as though the transmission still has some connection to engine, even when the clutch is FULLY depressed. if i push the clutch in and give it some throttle, i can see the shifter moving. also, it is hard to shift into reverse, and sometimes IT GRINDS! and this is with the clutch TO THE FLOOR. i know for a fact that reverse does not have synchros and can grind easily. the car doesn't move when any of this happens, however.
4) my shifter is always warm. i mean if i touch the metal part of the shifter (inside the boot), i can feel it as noticeably warm. is this normal?
5) i think the sychros suck, especially in 2nd. i'm far from an expert MT driver, but i try to really shift smoothly, but it is hard NOT to get it to jerk, both upshifting and downshifting. this is not noticable in higher gears.
6) i think this may be unrelated, but i would like to know what is going on: when i go at WOT, and then shift fast at high RPMs (6k+), there is this banging sound. it seems to originate from slightly in front and below. it sounds like taking a hollow pipe and hitting it against the pavement, almost as if you dropped it from a small height. i don't feel anything physical or performance wise happen when i hear this, and there are no strange smells or anything. just the sound. what could it be?
3. Clutch is going out or you need to rebleed the slave cyl. Re-Bleed FIRST. Rebleeding takes all of 3 minutes. Clutch swap takes a few hours and a clutch kit...
4. Yeah? What do ya expect... shitloads of moving parts = friction + hot exhaust right below = much heat. I don't have any shifterbushings, and it feels like the heater is on all the time because the driveshaft ujoins push air right up through the boot. Its like the fan is on high .
5. I just grind for a split second going into second gear... im not a bad... well not too bad of a mt driver... just not quite in tone with the tranny....
6. check your fluid, but you might check your rear dif mounts... the latter will be moreso noticeable in 1-3 gears though... Oh... it could also be afterburn. LOL my car backfires all the time now that i removed the acv.. its funny as hell. Get some pretty strange reactiosn from people. When driving downtown, I can pull up to a ricer, and blip the throttle, and scare people shitless... ahh good times. I always get stuff like "WOAH!??" or "what the"... I heard a scream one time too, wasn't sure if it was related, but I think i scared some chick half to death...
Last edited by Kenteth; 05-05-04 at 02:51 AM.
05-05-04, 12:02 PM
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Re: Re: i think my transmission is stupid
Originally posted by Kenteth
6. check your fluid, but you might check your rear dif mounts... the latter will be moreso noticeable in 1-3 gears though... Oh... it could also be afterburn. LOL my car backfires all the time now that i removed the acv.. its funny as hell. Get some pretty strange reactiosn from people. When driving downtown, I can pull up to a ricer, and blip the throttle, and scare people shitless... ahh good times. I always get stuff like "WOAH!??" or "what the"... I heard a scream one time too, wasn't sure if it was related, but I think i scared some chick half to death...
6. check your fluid, but you might check your rear dif mounts... the latter will be moreso noticeable in 1-3 gears though... Oh... it could also be afterburn. LOL my car backfires all the time now that i removed the acv.. its funny as hell. Get some pretty strange reactiosn from people. When driving downtown, I can pull up to a ricer, and blip the throttle, and scare people shitless... ahh good times. I always get stuff like "WOAH!??" or "what the"... I heard a scream one time too, wasn't sure if it was related, but I think i scared some chick half to death...
yeah, i thought it could be afterburn also, but usually when i hear backfire it sounds like it comes from behind me. this sound comes from in front and below, and it doesn't really sound like backfire.
i just remembered that the dealership i got it from replaced the y-pipe...could this be loose and just hitting the floor panel everytime the engine changes torque quickly? that's what it sounds like, but if that were true, then wouldn't i also hear the exhaust rattle when i go over a big bumb (i don't)?
05-05-04, 12:05 PM
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more on 4)
check those rubber boots on the shift tower and check the heat shield over the cat. Mine was all torn up from some previous destruction, cut the heat down quite a bit when I fixed it. I'm going to try and fabricate something to go around the shift tower to cut the heat down even more. A clogged cat could generate alot more heat, but that's probably not an issue.
check those rubber boots on the shift tower and check the heat shield over the cat. Mine was all torn up from some previous destruction, cut the heat down quite a bit when I fixed it. I'm going to try and fabricate something to go around the shift tower to cut the heat down even more. A clogged cat could generate alot more heat, but that's probably not an issue.
05-05-04, 01:27 PM
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Originally posted by superevil
i was under the impression that all the old transmissions from rx7's suck.almost all grind and are notchy,well at least the high mile ones with no rebuilds
i was under the impression that all the old transmissions from rx7's suck.almost all grind and are notchy,well at least the high mile ones with no rebuilds
05-05-04, 02:21 PM
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idk man... rx-7 trannys are pretty damn good... I got one with about that many miles on it and the third gear syncro is the only thing that isn't perfect...
I like the clutches on these too... they are awesome until u get about 230 HP... then they slip LoL
I like the clutches on these too... they are awesome until u get about 230 HP... then they slip LoL
05-05-04, 02:23 PM
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Re: Re: Re: i think my transmission is stupid
Originally posted by coldfire
lol, that is funny ****.
yeah, i thought it could be afterburn also, but usually when i hear backfire it sounds like it comes from behind me. this sound comes from in front and below, and it doesn't really sound like backfire.
i just remembered that the dealership i got it from replaced the y-pipe...could this be loose and just hitting the floor panel everytime the engine changes torque quickly? that's what it sounds like, but if that were true, then wouldn't i also hear the exhaust rattle when i go over a big bumb (i don't)?
lol, that is funny ****.
yeah, i thought it could be afterburn also, but usually when i hear backfire it sounds like it comes from behind me. this sound comes from in front and below, and it doesn't really sound like backfire.
i just remembered that the dealership i got it from replaced the y-pipe...could this be loose and just hitting the floor panel everytime the engine changes torque quickly? that's what it sounds like, but if that were true, then wouldn't i also hear the exhaust rattle when i go over a big bumb (i don't)?
05-05-04, 02:25 PM
#15
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i had all of those problems when i first got my 91 na coupe, it made all sorts of noise at idle and crusing but i did what everyone said too above and it worked just fine. these trannys are weak to torque but seem to hold up pretty well to stock or near stock car abuse over time, i drained my tranny only to find 1/3 quart of oil in it, never been changed, replaced it with 2+ quarts and it was a much better tranny. thats my experience though.
05-05-04, 02:34 PM
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yeah, i did all this mumbo jumbo maintenance before, non of it worked, i'm not saying don't do it though... my last na tranny went out on me after a tuneup, and now this one i put in 2 months ago is crapping out on me. reverse is a BITCH to put in or out.
it grinds VERY little when i DON'T use the clutch.
when i do decide to use the clutch, it grinds alot...
no worry, i have 2 TII trannies and another na tranny.
also, at WOT, missing 3rd is NOT an option.
it grinds VERY little when i DON'T use the clutch.
when i do decide to use the clutch, it grinds alot...
no worry, i have 2 TII trannies and another na tranny.
also, at WOT, missing 3rd is NOT an option.
05-05-04, 02:36 PM
#17
OK Son, sounds like we have 3 problems 1 the oil is to thick which will couse the trans to make more heat then nomale and give the feeling that it is pulling when in gear with the clutch in (a viskis action in the gear that you have seleted, 2 make it hard to shift becouse the thick oil is floating the singcrows or the singcrows are warn out , 3 it is smarter then you and I say this becouse you are sayen you can't get it into revers, revers has no singcrows to slow down the gears, so go to 4th and then in to revers
05-05-04, 05:35 PM
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!st make sure you have GEAR OIL in the tranny!, Second CHANGE THAT OLD *** OIl. If tranny still feels like sh*t, change shifter bushings. And take it too a transmission specialist. It doesn't seem like your really having a problem. Try shifting from 2nd to 1st when trying to get into 1st. Might be your Master cynidor or clutch starting to fail.
05-05-04, 11:48 PM
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okay, thanks for all the replies guys.
Kenteth, i don't think it is backfire, since i always hear backfire from the mufflers out back. it could be, i'm just saying it doesn't sound like it.
I think that checking and replacing the fluid only makes sense, for all i know it could be damn near empty. will do this once i get the car up on a lift, or if i stop being lazy and get it up on jack stands...
sir rupert, i know exactly what you mean with 3rd. i've already missed it THREE TIMES when trying to slam her fast at WOT. maybe after i get new bushings i can get a better feel...
tie pilot, i'm not quite sure if i did it right, but i tried doing what you said exactly, and i just got grindage. gambone, i think that your method will work good. i should know by now that the gears are still spinning even after i let off the clutch, and reverse does not have any synchros. i will try going into 5th before shifting into reverse...BTW, anyone else notice that you don't have to give any gas for reverse. it's great, i can just feather clutch and it will start moving without stalling...
as for the fluid, which i will definetly change with some nice synthetic stuff, should i just put in what the FSM says, or try something else? actually i don't even know what the FSM says, i will have to check that out...what do you guys use in there?
i'm starting to think the clutch may be at a certain amount of fault. seeing as i don't have any $$$ though, i will not be too worried about this whole tranny problems. as long as i still see that ricer in the rear view
Kenteth, i don't think it is backfire, since i always hear backfire from the mufflers out back. it could be, i'm just saying it doesn't sound like it.
I think that checking and replacing the fluid only makes sense, for all i know it could be damn near empty. will do this once i get the car up on a lift, or if i stop being lazy and get it up on jack stands...
sir rupert, i know exactly what you mean with 3rd. i've already missed it THREE TIMES when trying to slam her fast at WOT. maybe after i get new bushings i can get a better feel...
tie pilot, i'm not quite sure if i did it right, but i tried doing what you said exactly, and i just got grindage. gambone, i think that your method will work good. i should know by now that the gears are still spinning even after i let off the clutch, and reverse does not have any synchros. i will try going into 5th before shifting into reverse...BTW, anyone else notice that you don't have to give any gas for reverse. it's great, i can just feather clutch and it will start moving without stalling...
as for the fluid, which i will definetly change with some nice synthetic stuff, should i just put in what the FSM says, or try something else? actually i don't even know what the FSM says, i will have to check that out...what do you guys use in there?
i'm starting to think the clutch may be at a certain amount of fault. seeing as i don't have any $$$ though, i will not be too worried about this whole tranny problems. as long as i still see that ricer in the rear view
Last edited by coldfire; 05-05-04 at 11:50 PM.
05-11-04, 01:41 AM
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okay, i changed the tranny fluid today, and it is a big improvement.
first off, the stuff that was in there just looked like mud, it was absolutely DISGUSTING...
i had purchased some 75w-90 semi-synthetic gear oil (2 litres) and a bottle of lucas oils transmision fix (http://www.lucasoil.com/Product_Deta...?Product_ID=12). the first thing i noticed was, how the hell do you get fluid in there? so my friend and i rigged up a real ghetto tube device and hooked it up to the bottle.
so we first tried to put the transmission fix in. this stuff is like GOO! it so freaking thick! it would not flow at ALL into the tranny. after a lot of squeezing, cursing, and time, half the **** was in the tranny, and half was all over the engine bay and transmission casing. whatever. we then proceeded to put in the gear oil. now this stuff wasn't nearly as viscous (which is saying a lot, since 75w-90 isn't exactly water), and went in a lot easier. we had the bright idea of hooking up a funnel that i use for mixing 2 stroke oil with my gas, and that seemed to work pretty well hooked up to the hose going into the tranny. the best method we found was to "modulate" the fluid going in. let some go in, then turn off the funnel (or take it off the tube), until it's all in...anyways, we got the transmission more or less full. after that i sprayed degreaser all over the messy parts and washed it down...
so took it for a drive, and i could definetly notice a difference. first off, i could shift a little easier, and it was noticeably smoother. also, the shifter isn't hot to the touch anymore! one thing i did notice was that transmission noise was actually a little more. i think this is because the lucas oils stuff is so damn thick...whatever, i don't really car about noise...
overall really a smoother transmission. i still have to get those bushings replaced though, and of course the other problems (synchros, etc.) are inherent with age and i can't really do too much about them...
on another note, i was reading the S4 and S5 FSMs and i noticed that the S4 doesn't have synchromesh on reverse, but the S5 DOES. interesting, because it really feels like reverse doesn't have synchros in my tranny, and i have an S5...(well, the chassis is S5 anyway)
first off, the stuff that was in there just looked like mud, it was absolutely DISGUSTING...
i had purchased some 75w-90 semi-synthetic gear oil (2 litres) and a bottle of lucas oils transmision fix (http://www.lucasoil.com/Product_Deta...?Product_ID=12). the first thing i noticed was, how the hell do you get fluid in there? so my friend and i rigged up a real ghetto tube device and hooked it up to the bottle.
so we first tried to put the transmission fix in. this stuff is like GOO! it so freaking thick! it would not flow at ALL into the tranny. after a lot of squeezing, cursing, and time, half the **** was in the tranny, and half was all over the engine bay and transmission casing. whatever. we then proceeded to put in the gear oil. now this stuff wasn't nearly as viscous (which is saying a lot, since 75w-90 isn't exactly water), and went in a lot easier. we had the bright idea of hooking up a funnel that i use for mixing 2 stroke oil with my gas, and that seemed to work pretty well hooked up to the hose going into the tranny. the best method we found was to "modulate" the fluid going in. let some go in, then turn off the funnel (or take it off the tube), until it's all in...anyways, we got the transmission more or less full. after that i sprayed degreaser all over the messy parts and washed it down...
so took it for a drive, and i could definetly notice a difference. first off, i could shift a little easier, and it was noticeably smoother. also, the shifter isn't hot to the touch anymore! one thing i did notice was that transmission noise was actually a little more. i think this is because the lucas oils stuff is so damn thick...whatever, i don't really car about noise...
overall really a smoother transmission. i still have to get those bushings replaced though, and of course the other problems (synchros, etc.) are inherent with age and i can't really do too much about them...
on another note, i was reading the S4 and S5 FSMs and i noticed that the S4 doesn't have synchromesh on reverse, but the S5 DOES. interesting, because it really feels like reverse doesn't have synchros in my tranny, and i have an S5...(well, the chassis is S5 anyway)
Last edited by coldfire; 05-11-04 at 01:44 AM.
05-11-04, 01:58 AM
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Does anyone else shift into 1st before reverse? I noticed that on every manual I have ever driven dropping it into first than going to reverse totally eliminates the grinding sound. I learned this from a trans pro when I had an old CJ7, its like 1st nature to me, I dont ever just shift into reverse. Try this out guys it will make a differance.
08-27-04, 12:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Rotary?Cool
Does anyone else shift into 1st before reverse? I noticed that on every manual I have ever driven dropping it into first than going to reverse totally eliminates the grinding sound. I learned this from a trans pro when I had an old CJ7, its like 1st nature to me, I dont ever just shift into reverse. Try this out guys it will make a differance.
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