Does your FD shift smoothly?
 

When I shift it feels rough, like it's not lubricated or something. I almost wish I didn't have to shift because it feels like I'm hurting the car. What's up anybody know?

Hey Efini,

Mine feels a little like that, especially when I try to go to 1st when I am rolling to a stop sign. For me it shifts better at higher rpms.

Did you ever get your boost problems fixed, I believe it was your vac hoses...too thin walled.

I tried to get in touch with you Friday afternoon, I got my car running and was going to bring it by.

Later...Scott

Yeah mine feels pretty rough too. It's gotta be some type of wear and tear as it didn't feel this bad when I bought my FD 4 months ago. With the help of the shop manual diagram I took the shifter apart and examined all the little bushings and washers and stuff. None of em looked too bad. By the way, you can get replacements for all of those from Mazdatrix.com. The change control case (where the shift seat sits) is supposed to have 90cc of oil. Maybe we're low.

I drove my friend's Integra this past weekend and his shifter was very smooth and actually had a shorter throw than our's (it's stock). Now I'm pretty jealous, so I gotta get to the bottom of this. Does your's shift better once the tranny's warmed up? How do you know when it's the shifter, or something in the tranny, like a synchro?

Another Scott

i used to drive hondas/acuras, and have been spoiled by their smooth shifting. Then I got my rx7, and the shifter is very rough compared. I test drove about a half dozen before I bought mine, and all of those had rough shifting too... especially 2nd - 3rd. anybody know how to make it shift smoother?

Scott I haven't fixed the problem yet. I got into it once and found a boost leak and a coolant leak under the manifold. I figured that was the probblem but when I got it all back together I had the same problem. Now I just don't have the time to work on it again. Scott my cell phone is on the blink right now it should be fixed by this weekend. Give me a call if you want to hang.

2 things, 1st is the shifting into first comming to a stop, that is actually designed to be that way to prevent transmission damage. the down shift into 1st will only smoothly engage if you are traveling <5mph.
2nd, dave check your transmission/brake fluid quality and level. I had the same symptoms and it turns out to be the fluid level beeing low. If it has been a long time, it wouldn/t hurt to bleed out the system either. Have fun.

Well it's been four years and 30000 miles since I changed those fluids so I guess that might be the problem huh? Damn! I have no clue as to how to bleed the brakes and I heard changing the tranny fluid is a pain in the ass.

my 2nd and 3rd gear synchros are SHOT!
I just drive it.. Its gonna die eventually... Tranny rebuild is slated for this summer... Im going to strip it and replace all the geras and sycnros..

if i keep the car the synchros are staying out!

I just dont use the clutch and dont have synchro problems... Well wereever possible...

Tranny fluid isn't too hard. I just did it for the first time a couple weeks ago trying to fix my crappy shifting problem (didn't work for me). You just jack the car up (driver's side), remove the tranny cover, remove both drain plugs... 24mm and 1/4 inch, and the fill plug... can't remember the size of that one, think it's about 15mm. If they haven't been budged in 30K miles prepare to do some serious grunting and groaning. ;) Get a good synthetic, like Redline or Neo.

I'm not sure about the brake fluid, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to change that anyway. I'd take it to a mechanic or get a knowledgeable friend to help.

Your brake and clutch share the same fluid and reservoir, if it is in bad condition or low, you will experience shifting roughness. Check the shop manual for the bleeding process, you will need someone to pump the brakes.

Try some NEO synthetic, you won't be sorry.
My GF Del Sol, shifts mad tight too!

I would like to add that when your clutch plate becomes thin, the throw of the clutch release is shortened and you do not fully disengage the engine from the transmission. Remeber, our clutches use a pull rather than a push release mechanism. This means that the hydraulic unit compensates for the distance between the resting point (Which travels futher away with each wear) and the full extension of the clutch release.

When I bought my car it had the stock clutch in it, and I could never get it into first rolling at any speed. I couldn't get it to shift 1-2 very smoothly either. When I pulled out my clutch, it was past the rivots (Major slipping). The new clutch allows me to go into 1st at least at 10mph no problem. 1-2 shifts are now smooth.

Yeah I was never very impressed with the "feel" of the stock shifter in both of my 7s (86 and 93), but putting in good quality fluid definitely helps. I had Redline and Amsoil in the 86 with good results and am currently running Royal Purple in the 93.

In retrospect, all the synthetic stuff seems to work just as well as the other...

I was driving a friend's 2000 GSR a few weeks ago, and I must admit that the Honda shifting mechanisms are definitely rock solid...very smooth...

Well I have the Clutchmasters stage four clutch. It basically doesn't have a friction plate maybe thats part of my problem.

Took the car out last night for a spirited drive :) ......then hopped on the Interstate for a lil bit. Ran into a new vette but he didnt wanna play:rolleyes: .....anyway I took off rather quickly from 3rd and noticed 4th -5th was a bit on the notchy side. That happened not once but twice. Cld it be the infamous 5th gear syncro gone bad? Or am I jumping to conclusions ( I hope)?

Other than the 4th-5th shift, the other gears were fine.