i can't put my car into 1st when downshifting until i am under 5mph (feels like it locks up) or into reverse if i'm rolling out of my driveway. i tried 2 things just to see what would happen. rev it above 2000 then push the clutch and put it in gear, that didn't work but if i push the clutch then rev it above 2000 and put it in it goes>>wtf?? it also feels like there is something loose down there when i hit a bump anyone have any advice?

also my car has a factory undercoating (canada car) so what ever i have to inspect i will have to power wash... so good ideas only please.

thanks

 

i don't think fd gearboxes like to go into 1st or reverse while moving. Actually, I don't know very many RX7s in general that like to do that. Actually, I haven't driven many cars other than my old 84 GTI where I could do that without grinding the **** out of the gears.

As for difficulty getting it in gear easier, try changing the tranny oil to Redline MTL.

What is happening when you rev it up and are able to get it in is that you are matching the speed of the internal tranny gears with the speed of the driveshaft that is being turned by the wheels of the car. This is what happens when you heel-toe downshift btw. Manual trannys aren't meant to be dumped into 1st or reverse while the car is moving. Highly advise against it.

 

Reverse while moving will create massive grinding. Also my FD will not go into first above 5 mph unless i heel-toe it. Then I can get it in at 20mph, but still don't like to drag it at that speed.

 

i ahve owned two FDs and both of them did that. i assume it is by design, to prevent the engine and transmission from engaging with each other at two drastic of a rev difference (make sense to anyone?). if u match the revs on the engine to what they should be once in 1st gear, you wont experience the "locking up".