10 replies to this topic

[Steve-O]

Enjoyed my first DE event today for about 4 laps then my transmission took a dump. It seems that it's stuck in between two gears- tried to pull things apart from inside the car with no luck. Anyway, I've been advised to replace it. In the interest of time, money but mostly reliability, is a replacement the best route? If so, do I replace with new or remanufactured.

Thanks

[Johnny D]

Where are you located?
J~

[Blake Thompson]

This is a super common problem with the Miata. You may be able to fix it at least temporarily. Stuck between 4 and 5?

-Blake

[FTodaro]

It would be helpful if you respond to Blake's question about what it did exactly. What two gears is it stuck between. have you tried to rock the car while trying to shift it? does the clutch still work where you can roll the car by pushing in the clutch.

To answer your question about cost of options. Guys on the forum can help you with a low mileage used tranny under 500 range I think you can get a rebuilt one for 1000 to 1100. I would make sure that you need to do that before you go to that extent.

[Steve-O]

Guys-

I am located in central Virginia. The clutch still functions or at least when it's engaged the car rolls easily. I did not try to rock it but wasn't able to bang the shifter into neutral with my hand. The car appears to be stuck in 4th (or at least that's roughly the shifter's position). My statement that it was stuck in between two gears comes from someone familiar with miatas that took a look at it. We pulled the boot and then the 'flange' below that holds the shifter mechanism down. I am told that when we pulled up on the shifter it should have 'popped out'. The groove in the front of the shifter apparently has a 'pin' that's kept us from removing it.

I apologize if this doesn't make sense. I really have little knowledge of the miatas' transmission and am interpreting what was explained to me.

Any input or advice is greatly appreciated. I was pretty discouraged yesterday until my instructor took me out for a few laps in his Spec Miata- now I'm eager to get back at it. Any doubts I had about the miatas are gone. What a cool car!

Thanks again-
Steve

[Scottie]

PM sent

[Blake Thompson]

I think you have that thing where the shift fork gets crammed under the lever. Sometimes it can be fixed with a screwdriver by removing the reverse light from the side of the case. On Miata.net there are piles of descriptions of the repair. Newer trannies are supposed to have fixed those issue but I don't entirely agree.

Wheeler sells remand at advanced for under a grand and I have used trannies for around 250$ +sh

Blake

[dmathias]

Did you happen to see this http://mazdaracers.c...p?showtopic=595

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

Did you happen to see this http://mazdaracers.c...p?showtopic=595

My issue was a stuck in reverse situation. One thing to note, on many of the how to's to unstick the shift rod, they recommend using a stubby philips screwdriver. I found that a phillips stubby wouldn't fit and had to use a flat blade screwdriver. If you search you will find videos of how to fix the problem. I would recommend removing the reverse switch and taking a mirror and a flashlight so you can see if that is the problem.

[wreckerboy]

If you are in central VA there are several good Miata shops located at Summit Point in WV. Talk to Chris Windsor at Windsor Customs, Bret dePedro at RP Performance or Mike Collins at Meathead Racing. I've dealt with them all and can recommend each highly.

[davew]

First things is to tell us just what your car is doing.

Start the car and let the clutch out slowly, does the car move? In what direction?

If it moves in reverse, you have the common stuck in reverse problem. See above for temporary repair methods.

If it moves forward, you will nedd to remove the trans for repair or replacement

If the car dies, you truely are stuck in 2 gears, Again, you will be pulling the trans.

Dave