21 replies to this topic

[TRJ3]

Driving at the track today I had a missed shifted when I did get it into second it would not come out. The car is now stuck in second gear and will not shift any others. The clutch is working fine.Any ideas on what might have happened?

I am thinking that I may have damaged bushings?

[davew]

It is possible that the shifter ball bushing broke and jammed the shifter. Possible, but not likely. Pull the shifter and see what you see.

 

I would bet the 2nd gear syncro broke and jammed the hub clutch assembly. In that case the trans needs to come out and apart for a rebuild.

 

dave

[TRJ3]

If it is the transmission is there anything special that I need to do other than a standard rebuild the transmission shop?

[TRJ3]

Any idea what her transmission rebuilt should run?

[TRJ3]

Any idea what a transmission rebuild should run?

Don't know why this question posted twice but the form will not let me delete it.

[TRJ3]

Ok so its not the shifter. Tranny comes out in the am. Have a race next weekend........

[Steve Scheifler]

You need to find a used or already rebuilt box to race next weekend. It's a good idea to have a spare so maybe get a decent used one now and use it while the other is being rebuilt. Or just have one of the builders ship a fresh one tomorrow, figure $1000 -$1200 plus shipping.

[davew]

As a point of reference, I get $950 parts and labor to rebuild your trans. Assuming no hard parts are damaged. I use all Mazda parts.

 

If you take it to a local rebuilder, he can do just as good a job. But make sure he replaces everything needed. Use only mazda parts, which you can supply. A list of NA trans parts is on my website. You probably have a broken hub-clutch. The local guy will not have a used one on the shelf. So he will want you to order a new one. A Mazda specialist will probably have a used one for 25% the price of a new one.

 

A fresh rebuilt trans is  a lot better than a used unit. But with your time crunch, you may have no choice.

 

good luck

dave

[TRJ3]

Ok so the gears look great. Must be something in the front of the box....

 

Any suggestions for best oil to put back in the tranny and shifter box? 

 

Thanks

[davew]

I use only Redline MTL

[FTodaro]

Any old GL5 gear oil works in the shifter box, in the transmission, main housing i like Redline MT-85, MTL is thinner, but i think it adds to premature shift fork wear IMO.  As you may have seen in some of Saul's posts and video's the shift forks are pretty soft and will wear quickly under race conditions.

[Ron Alan]

There is a guy locally out here that tells anyone he sells a box to not to use Redline...not sure his reasoning. He recommends Swepco(201?). This is an industrial gear oil for the machinery/factory world...very sticky and even the local rep says its overkill. But the Porshce guys like it so it found its way into the Miata world. Different strokes...I think its to heavy(but I'm sure it lubes beautiful!)

 

I have used Redline MTL and the 85...I think either works fine and never had an issue. If Dave says MTL works for him(and i'm sure he buys this by the drum!)...I think that is a good recommendation!

[TRJ3]

So after a whole day tearing the thing down and going through the transmission, my guy tells me that the detent just got stuck?

[TRJ3]

Is there anyway to free that up with out dropping the transmission?

[FTodaro]

So after a whole day tearing the thing down and going through the transmission, my guy tells me that the detent just got stuck?

Never seen that happen, maybe Dave can comment. I guess i would be concerned that it may not be reliable at this point.

[LarryKing]

Paging Dr. Speedwell. I've seen trans get stuck in gear before. The fix involved prying something with a short flat blade screwdriver through the speedo port (I think)

Trans in situ

Kinda surprised Dave W. hasn't seen this too.

[Alberto]

The theoretical issue with MTL (as I understand it) is that it is comparatively thin weight (vs a 75/90) and the decreased longevity from thinner oil braking down faster than a 90 weight oil and causing bearing damage.  Replace it sooner than a 90 weight seems to be an approach to getting around that issue.

[FTodaro]

Paging Dr. Speedwell. I've seen trans get stuck in gear before. The fix involved prying something with a short flat blade screwdriver through the speedo port (I think)

Trans in situ

Kinda surprised Dave D hasn't seen this too.

Just to clarify my post I have heard of a transmission getting stuck in gear, but not do to a detent ball.

[TRJ3]

Dave at Advanced was Awesome!!!  We are rebuilding it!  Thanks DAVE!

[davew]

The normal issue is a stuck in Reverse. By removing the back-up light switch, you can pop that shaft back into neutral with a screw driver. I have only heard of one issue of stuck in 2nd. But is the same principle as stuck in reverse. Just can't pop out of second gear, like you can reverse.

 

Make sure to replace all the rods and rod ends. The backup light switch was the original factory repair. the switch should have green wires if it is the updated version. The oem version had red wires.

 

Dave