DC350

Dear RX-7 Friends. Over all this time, you have helped me so much.I just really wanted to say Thanks! But on the way to nanimo (a city about 120 km away) I was driving in 5th gear. At about 2500-2800 rpms. Previous
to this day. I have has some problems with a noisey bearing when the clutch is out. As well as the synchro's in 1st and 5th. Well driving in 5th and then i hear
this clunk clunk clunk, and i didn't think anymore of it. switch to fourth. It's all good I am at the bottom of the hill to go to a gas station (had to make a batheroom stop) And the light proceeds to give me the right of way. I put it in first let out the clutch and Revv revv
revv, i said to myself (what the) 2nd, revvv revvv, what the! 3rd REVV REVV 4th (hard to get into) and i start off. quite a bit of blue smoke. So, all in all, 1st 2nd 3rd 5th and reverse doesn't work some of the time the gears are hard to get into. I still hear the bearing when the clutch it out a bit. So those are my problems. A guy that works with me is a Mazda mechanic. He says that my clutch is either shattered, or totally worn. But the tranny is totally fine (except the synchro's) So he says it'll be at least 400. I just wanted to check with you guys. Because your the smartest people of RX-7's that i know. Please reply, I really need your help on this one. Thanks Guys!

p.s. The clutch does NOT slip in 4th. only 1st 2nd 3rd 5th and reverse.


Evan

E6KT2

It sounds like the clutch is broke.

DC350

okay, this is good. Thanks! Anyone else?!!!

Taranis

Yep, sounds like clutch to me also. Your tranny's not doing to good either from what you wrote. Blue smoke?? From where?

I hope you didn't lose a front seal on your trans.

- JB

DC350

There is no fluid anywhere on the ground....which indicates the tranny is seal is messed. But from what i have heard it was the clutch plate smoking up a storm! bah, at least i take mechanics in school!

DC350

if the clutch is gone. What do you kind do you reccomend? What do you think about a stage 2 clutchmasters clutch??

Taranis

With it slipping that bad, I wouldn't be surprised if you were smokin it. Just make sure you have that seal checked too.

I haven't heard anything good or bad about clutchmasters, but a lot of people here will recommend ACT clutches. Mazda OEM clutches are good too for daily driving, but they slip a bit when you're really running thru the gears.

Just make sure you stay away from remanufactured/resurfaced clutch parts. They only last 1/2 as long, if that.

- JB

turbotwista

Reman clutches suck mine lasted a month that's what I get for trying to save a buck

DC350

well, i am 17 and i do have the adrenaline rush quite a bit i do like to run the gears. But i will do some more reasearch, I am outta there! thanks for all your help...other people welcomed to reply!

Bambam7

I had the same problem in my 79.... lost a nut in the tranny.
Freakin thing had to be pulled out, dissasebled, and a nut at the bottom of the casing had to be screwed back onto a rod or something (I am not tranny educated...)
Total time it took to do the actual repair, about 30 seconds. Total time getting to the repair (tranny out, ect) 4 hours.

If it was the clutch, the gear you are in wouldn't matter one bit- the clutch is BEFORE the tranny in the driveline equation- there isn't any more force on it whatever gear you're in.
You still hear the throw out bearing... that's neither here nor there.

The smoke was probably just because you were taking off in fourth!!!

I would definately doubt it was the clutch- if it doesn't slip in fourth at all (try revving it up a bit and dropping it while driving to check for sure, it should wind down very quickly, EG- you're cruising at 3000 rpms, clutch in- rev up to 6000, drop the clutch, and floor it at the same time- shouldn't take more than 1/2 sec to wind down, any more and it's slipping)

It isn't the clutch thats slipping in the other gears- clould be your synchros... which basically are cone shaped clutches, but they aren't used once the tranny is fullly in gear... kindof wierd.

Anyways, I'm assuming the clunk you heard was coming from the tranny, not the rear end... I would definately guess something just came aprt in the tranny- I'd bet money it's not the clutch.... sorry man.
You can find a used tranny for 400 or so then whether you intall it yourslef ot get a shop to do it.... probbaly about the same to fix yours, unless you do it yourself....(impressive)

Oh, and about reman clutches- mine sucks ***- it's really hard to drive smoothly, the engagment point seems to change dramatically depending on how much gass you're giving it. Plus, the first time I put it in, I couldn't get out of the driveay without it slipping!! I brought it back, yelled my *** off, and got another one- It's drivable.

Good luck.
Dan

DC350

Dan, thank you so much. As i was at work today, i was thinkin about this whole clutch thing. It does not slip 1 bit in 4th gear. It must be the tranny. Anyways i am driving it to school tomorrow, taking the tranny out. Give it a good clean, new fluid and tighten the bolts. Take a little looksie!

Poindexter10thae

iTrader: (2)

That is a total tranny problemo. If it was your clutch you would not be able to get into a single gear, sounds like the tranny is toast.

DC350

4th gear does not slip one bit, So it has to be the tranny. Does anyone know what the problem could be for the tranny?

hypntyz7

Yes it is your tranny. A friend with an 87 na locally had this EXACT thing happen to him, only 4th gear worked. Find a new tranny.

BTW I have cheap ones available with high miles but still guaranteed to drive.

MaxRX7

N/A trannsmissions suck !!

Vroomaster

never hve had a problem w/ mine-188.5k miles now

DC350

well, i am going to take out the tranny. And take it to a rebuilder, he says that there might be something very wrong....or, just some stupid little thing...what do you think could be wrong??

SureShot

Sounds like the input gear to the countershaft is about gone. You can expect to need a rebuilt transmission. A fresh clutch now will save you the labor later.