Last week, I took the dashboard out to fix a leaky heater core. Part of the procedure I found here instructs to remove the shift lever. No prob.

While it was out, I found that the bushings were shot, so I ordered a new set from Mazdatrix. They arrived on Friday, so I put things back together over the weekend. The shifter feels nice and tight now (funny one doesn't notice how floppidy stuff is till after you fix it).

Finished putting coolant and stuff back in today and started an around-the-block test drive.

Right away, I noticed a funny clicking/buzzing sound. Listening and feeling around, it is coming from the shifter; it is faster as the car is faster and stops completely when the car isn't rolling.

Anybody know what I likely messed up?

You can listen to it here: http://www.kkoop.com/RX7/RXTransmissionProblem.mp3

The mic is right next to the shift boot and here's what I'm doing:

• Start and back out of driveway.
• Drive slowly about 50yds down the street and roll to a stop
• Shift into reverse and backup about 15ft
• Turn Around and drive back
• Pull up into driveway and shut off engine

Thanks!

 

Sounds like something rubbing on the drive shaft... Maybe you dropped something through the hole in the tunnel?

 

Don't think so. Didn't really have any activity around the opening while things were apart.

- k -

 

Sheese, I can't catch a break with this car.

Talked to Mazdatrix, and they think it must a broken centering spring. Read some threads about replacing, and it looks like a monumental pain. This just on the heels of taking the entire dashboard out (which IS monumental).

Does anyone know if I can likely just remove the broken spring? Not having the centering function wouldn't be a big deal for me right now. I just need to get this thing back on the road so I have transportation again.

Thanks!

- k -

 

I would remove the shifter, soak up all the oil in the shifter pedestal with a rag, and fish around in there with needle nose pliers/magnet on a stick. I'm eager to see what you find.

*Edit:*

It doesn't need that spring to work... It's really just a 'nice thing to have.' To me that sound doesn't seem like a broken spring though.

 

Thanks for the input. That was, actually, my next plan. I bought a 'sucker' tool at Advance Auto last night and will do just what you describt.

I was thinking that it might be okay to run without that thing if I could get the broken parts out of the way. On the sound, I tend to agree with you. In a way, it sounds like something loose dragging on a gear.

Anyway, update later; hopefully this afternoon (if i get my work done soon enough).

- k -

 

If its faster with speed, it's something on the output of the trans, if it's faster with rpm, it's something on the input of the trans. I am still having troubles with the second.

 

Definitely on output, then. It stops completely when the car stops. Sound happens when car is rolling with clutch in and engine idling. Forgot to check if it's there when in neutral and rolling.

 

I would put her as high as she will go on jack stands, say a prayer, and get under it while somebody lets the clutch out in 1st gear at idle. I've done it before. The heat shield is in close proximity to the drive shaft on one of my cars.

 

Sheesh. I'm not doing much for my reputation around here; likely consensus: what a Dope.

First, I haven't worked on anything in the power train behind the flywheel on these cars. that said, I had no idea that there was exposed 'moving' stuff that close to the shifter.

So, earlier this year, I installed an Innovate wideband O2 sensor. The shift boot looked like a nice route into the cabin to connect the sensor, so I put it all together under the center console.

When I was hearing the noise, it was night, and very dark; today I finally got time to troubleshoot the problem. As I backed out of the driveway to move into the 'repair position', you might imagine my shock, when I looked down and saw the connector on the wideband cable begins to bounce back and forth like someone is yanking on it (see pic).

O...M...G...

So, boring story short, you were right. Something (the wideband cable) rubbing on the drive shaft. While I had the dashboard out, I must have made some slack in the cable.

The goodness of this lesson is that the cable didn't start to rub on the drive shaft while driving (it's been in there for about 100miles of testing so far). THAT would've been ugly.

Anyway, as my boss when i was a TV repair guy, about a million years ago, used to say..."look for the simple answer. it's usually something simple."

Thanks to everyone for your input!

- k -

 

The worst thing is to have a new bad part because you don't usually go back and check you're work. You assume it's good because it's brand new ..... I've had that bite me in the butt.

Glad yours didn't make it through the wiring

 

Well I'll be. Glad you figured it out! Keep her on the road.