fc3schick87

iTrader: (1)

so my shifter is really really really really really sloppy. really really loose.


i never noticed how bad it was untill i got into my boyfriends brand new (used) 2007 mazdaspeed 3 and the 6 speed shifter was so perfect...

when i got back into my rx7 the shifter just felt so nasty loose.. i hate it now.


if i pull the shifter towards me it has no spring back. if i push the shifter towards the passanger seet it springs back. in natural it just flops back and forth like nothing. and its difficult to find 3rd gear sometimes. Reverse is easy to get into though (some fc's have issues with 5th gear)

do i just need to buy bushings? will this firm up the shifter? or do i need springs and all that.
is it the shifter? or is the transmission at fault?


i do not have issues with gears, chattering, or anything. its simply a loose shifter i hope.

Go48

iTrader: (7)

Most likely the bushings are the problem. Suggest you get them from Mazdatrix.com (562-426-7960) since they will supply a bottom bushing that Mazda says is not needed. Probably best to call them and tell them what you are planning to do.

The return spring could also be a problem although if the shifter bounces back when you move it to the right in neutral and release it, that spring should be OK. It is a bear to replace the spring so don't buy one unless you have someone willing to install it. Do get a gasket for the shifter cover.

Before ordering, check out the rubber boots. You may need to replace those as well to keep the oil/exhaust smells out of the cockpit.

1SWEET7

iTrader: (1)

You should consider just getting the Mazdatrix short shifter. It is well worth it and comes with all new bushings. I love mine.

fc3schick87

iTrader: (1)

i know about the short shifter i was looking on mazdatrix prior to posting this thread.


i remember on a friends car, installing a short shifter exaggerated the problems with the transmission/shifting. so i am a bit scared to spend close to 200$ for a short shifter and not be able to easily get into a few gears because of the short throw

PvillKnight7

iTrader: (16)

The short shifter is not as smooth as the stock shifter. I found the short shifter to be too tight and it would sometime bind on the dowel that is supposed to keep the shaft from spinning. All you need is new upper and lower cups and possibly a return spring. Might need a dirt boot too. They're overpriced...

EnjoiPugs

Hey, I had a similar problem. Have you actually taken out the shifter and made sure it was still together? Mine had loosened itself over time or the PO didn't install it right. Also, I have the mazdatrix short shifter. It can be a bit of a pain. If you don't properly lube the **** out of it it will make noise. Also, one of the bolts supplied in my kit was not right and I had to get another, dunno how they messed that up. But before you go buying you things you should really change the oil in the gearbox area. I think I used 75-80w, double check the haynes manual on that.

fc3schick87

iTrader: (1)

oh yeah we're changing the oil on wednesday. its only about 5,000 miles old though, but we're changing it any way.


i'll go ahead and order upper lower and return spring. even if it is a bitch to install i'll still at least have it for one of those days i'm bored and want a challenge...

i just wanted to make sure that the sycros or the transmission wasnt at fault for the issue.

j0hnx916

i have the same problem to , but my problems are i have to find the gears. and when im into gear its sloppy as hell it still moves , sometimes i would miss shift what would my problem be for my car?

1988 FC - NA

incubuseva

iTrader: (13)

j0hnx916 you need new bushings as well. Take her apart + look to see what you have missing + what you need. My old NA was horribly sloppy. Went to a TII, got new bushings + she's amazing now. I have a C's short shifter that was in both.

arghx

iTrader: (3)

http://www.mazdatrix.com/FAQ%5CSHIFTBSH.HTM full writeup

fc3schick87

iTrader: (1)

ok but you went to a new tii trani... plus bushings.


what i am concerned about is what is the chance that the actual trani shifting leaver inside the trani is sloppy. or is that not possible and its simply the bushing and spring... i dont understand entirely how a rwd trani works so i am just making sure that i dont have something wrong past the shifter...


i already ordered my stuff it should be here sometime this week.

dtale15

iTrader: (1)

^^ more than likely its the bushings and the spring. every rx7 i've had has had this same issue LOL granted i never fixed them i DID open them all up to see wtf and they all had shotty bushings. never bothered to spend money on fixing it haha

j0hnx916

Alright thanks incubuseva i'm still new to the Rx7's

j0hnx916

do you guys know where i can order bushings ? do i need the upper bushing or the lower one's ? and my bushings in my FC looks broken Rofl and my gear problems are like.. 1st gear you have to find it around the 3rd gear area and all my other gears are like out of place is it still the bushings right ? or is that just some other random problem..

fc3schick87

iTrader: (1)

hey, newb. no thread hijacking..... if you read the above posts you will see a fricken link to mazdatrix.com and if you read the damn write up you will see what items to buy and even get a link to add the items into your shopping cart...


read everything if you want to learn on this forum...

Aspect28

iTrader: (3)

Seems like I have the same problem. I can push it to the 5th gear / Reverse Gear side and it will return back. But If I tried that with the 1st and 2nd gear it stays there, theres no return. I assume that I would need to take the transmission out inorder to replace the return spring?
If not can someone tell me how to do it with the transmission still being in place?
(I did not see a return spring, I don't think...)
Also, right now I'm trying to replace the bushings, see if that helps, though I strongly think its the return spring....

durtled

also same problem but mine goes back to neutral just think the bushings are done. but i have a Tii im putting in along with the rest of the running gear from a Tii so if that one needs it then k. ill do it but not on this 1.