Is a specialist needed for an FD transmission rebuild?
 

Not sure if this is a dumb question, but I'll ask anyways:
My (manual) transmission has become more of a pain to use as time goes on. I want to get the thing fully rebuilt (synchros, bearings, the works).

If I needed an engine rebuilt, I'd of course send it to a rotary specialist. However, is there any need to hand the transmission over to a rotary-specialist shop or would any quality transmission shop be fine? Is there anything unique about the 5-speed that would make you think twice about dropping it off at your local transmission shop?

Thanks for that thread. I need to do a 3rd gen synchro in mine

I wouldn't say specialist but with fewer and fewer cars being offered with true manual transmissions these days, many shops tend to focus on automatics. You do need some specialty tools, such as a super deep socket to go over the shaft and get the nuts off and some long pullers.

they need to be independent specialists. Most franchised dealerships do not bother with rebuilding. Cost effective labour proves better to yank and replace with a rebuilt (from a specialist) then rebuilding the trans on site. Unless you are GM. They enjoy giving a technician an unreasonable warranty time to rebuild a transmission.

I would send mine to Jacks Transmisssions in Colorado springs if I needed it done. Tom93R1 just had his rebuilt thru them and jack knows his stuff. :icon_tup:

I took my FD trans to my local transmission shop and after he disassembled it and gave me the quote to rebuild it it was only a few hundred dollars less than a brand new unit from Mazda Motorsports.

So, that is another possibility.

in my case it was-
$1,900 for rebuild
Including
$1,000 labor
$600 bearings/synchros/etc kit
$300 new input and main shaft required on my trans due to bearing failure

Big thing here is find a shop that specializes in manual transmissions, does it all day long, and does a good job. There's nothing special about the FD transmission, it's a pretty regular transmission design.

I've done 5th gear synchro replacements myself, that isn't too hard to do yourself. Most other things can really benefit from someone who does it all day, every day.

Dale

Man! for that kind of scratch I could go for something like Pettit's offering here:
Blueprinted FD Transmission
Anyone have experience with that?

Could you shoot me a PM or reply who you went to? Are you satisfied with their work?

Xander - I rebuild all Mazda RWD 5 speeds including RX4, REPU, SA, FB, FC, TII, and FD. I currently have a listing on Seattle Craigslist for a REPU that is an example of my work. I'm retired so I have the time to build these transmissions as if they're going in my own car.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/p...770529206.html

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6133d5f071.jpg













r

I got my 88 Turbo II transmission rebuilt a few years ago, which isn't that different from an FD trans. Basically, it's similar to the manual trans they used to offer in the Ford Explorer back in the 90s. It's not especially unique, but as this thread has mentioned, manuals in general are now a niche thing in the US so most shops are going to build autos.

+1, Ford used the same basic transmission from the mid-80's into the early 90's, so like with the differentials, you're looking for an old Ford guy (they did a lot of differentials under warranty before they figured out that they are just clunky and whiny)