I had an Engine Torque Dampener (has a shock) and a KG diff. brace, and that didn't change it. It's not really a problem with the mounting, it's a problem within the tranny fluid. I have the same problem with notchy 1-2 shifts, but it ONLY happens when the tranny is *** cold. By *** cold, I mean it's <50F outside. I noticed that prior to having my pre-cat replaced with a DP, the heat collected in the DP used to warm up my tranny faster than it does now. I can tell that the tranny does run cooler without the stock pre-cat.

A lot of people have reported that a switch to NEO 75W90 HD has solved those problems. Those who have had the problem even tried using Redline to no avail, but the switch to NEO DID solve the notch problem. I think the solution doesn't lie in a tranny rebuild, as many have said that low mileage/rebuilt trannies have the same problem. I believe that the solution actually DOES lie within the fluid that we are using. I have a gallon of NEO on order, so I will tell you guys how it works out once I replace my old fluid.

 

I have a diff and tranny brace, and that didnt help it at all. I guess its that the synchro is bitchy about the fluid it has to spin in.

 

Mine used to be balky at 15k miles. Switched to redline and made a big difference. But after speed shifting to many times 2nd feels notchy now. I'm sure I'll need to replace the second gear syncro assembly and quit (already have) with the speed shifting.

 

Hey dgeesaman, would you happen to have that part # handy for the second gear syncro assembly?

 

R505-17-26Y

http://www.mazdaformance.com/Merchan...egory_Code=470

Dave

 

Thanks, I just ordered it
RACRX

 

lotta labor to just change the 2nd gear synchro. its not like 5th, where its easy to get to. if youre gonna do second do the bearings and the rest of the synchros, it would suck to do all that work (12+hours after the tranny is out of the car) and have a notchy 3rd or loud bearings

 

Yeap, Not a problem!!

 

Yeap again. I'm doing a complete tranny rebuild. Mine's only got 60k so I expect I'll only replace some of the synchros and bearings.

Since 2nd synchro is deep in the main gearbox, I expect to see parts strewn everywhere . Definitely a different job than the classic 5th change.

I'll also be doing a big photo writeup, assuming I'm successful.

Dave

 

Mine my 1st to 2nd is also very notchy. I took it to Mazda (before the extended warranty was up). They said it was fine, that they couldn't feel any problems. I took it to a tranny shop and they definitely felt it. I had them tear it down and they couldn't find any problem with it. I'm just living with it. Redline fluid did nothing.

 

I remmember when my Mazda dealer said there was nothing wrong with my 5th gear syncro issue. Even after showing them the tech bullitin in reference to this problem, nothing. They said it was the way I was driving it? How should I drive a sports car? Any ways, after getting the regional rep involved and threatining to do the repairs myself while video taping the procces and using it in a possible class action suit they agreed to open the tranny up. They replaced the 5th gear sycnro and gear assembly. When I asked the mechanic what the gear and syncro looked like the smart *** said there was nothing wrong with the parts and that the repair was a waist of time. I insisted on seeing the parts that came out of my trans to inspect. The teeth on 5th gear and syncro assembly were completely rounded off and the brass stop ring was cracked! So the so called "experts" are not always right. Now 5th gear has worked correctly ever since they repaired it.
RACRX

 

Been 10k miles and still feels like a hot knife through butter (well maybe not that smooth)

I believe transmission fluid should be changed in 40k intervals and that's about how long I expect the redline to last.

EDIT: I'd also like to add that I store my car 9 months out of the year and only put on about 500-1000 miles a year now. So while the redline itself may only have ~10k miles on it, it is in fact rather old and still performs well. I guess with such a low annual mileage I shouldn't be expecting it to last 40k

 

I look forward to reading the write up and seeing the pics. As of late I've been wanting to learn how to do a transmission rebuild.

 

my shift to 2nd is only notchy when the engine is cold

 

2nd is notchy when the tranny is cold. it smoothes out considerably once i get to normal op temps

 

Good luck on the full rebuild! I look forward to seeing your writeup, it will be very helpful to me when i rebuild my spare tranny
-Zach