I have a problem that I can't pinpoint a cause to. All I know are the symptoms so I'm hoping some FD experts can help me out. I just installed a short shifter and upon removing the stock one noticed that the whole "unit" seems to sit a bit to the left. The top left bolt you remove on the bottom of the shifter was hard to get to so I actually had to push the shifter to the right to get at it. Shifter definitely had a small amount of play to push it to the right. Still does after install. It's like the tranny isn't level or something? And during shifting, the shifter, along with the rest of the car, shakes a bit like the tranny is just flyin around in there. It's not horrible, but obvious it's not supposed to. My best guess is a bad tranny mount? If that's the case, where do I get a new one? Found plenty of places online with engine mounts, but not for a trans. Is a replacement from Mazda the only option, and good enough? Thanks!

 

Well, in our cars, there is no tranny mount per se. Rather, the back end of the transmission is bolted to a long U shaped truss whose other end is bolted to the rear differential. It often reffered to as the poer plant frame, or PPF for short. It certainly is possible the PPF has cracked or broken in your case, letting the tranny flop around. You should see if there any specific areas you can look for cracks on this forum, but I think they usually crack around the tranny mounting points. If it is cracked, you should replace it. There are stronger ones available. Your motor mounts and differential mounts may be having problems as well. Basically, it's time to get under the car, inspect, and even carefully jack the engine/tranny connection to see if untoward shifting occurs. Try wiggling the back end of the tranny, see how much free play there is. I don't know how much there should be, but it should seem like a single unit under there. That's all I know...

 

PPF I'd say. Either cracked or loose bolts. I've had the bolts loosen up on me, so don't say it's not possible (but it WAS my fault...). Time to get under and take a look. But FYI- I had to push the tranny a GOOD amount to the left to get at the upper right bolt. I used a pry bar against the inside of the tunney. Not an outstanding idea, but worked great.