2010 Mazda5 Sport 2nd gear grind

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

Our 1.5 year old 2010 Mazda5 5spd manual sport has begun grinding when shifting into 2nd. I've seen other posts about cold shifts, that does not seem to be the problem in our case. It almost seems worse when its warmed up. The car has 28,000mi on it, we have not swapped the transmission fluid. Will call dealer tomorrow to make arrangements to have it checked out, but was curious to see if others had problems. Hoping its a linkage adjustment and not a bad synchro.

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

Kinda of glad to hear no one else has input. Went to the dealer today, initially not able to replicate the issue. I took them for a drive and it happened in the first shift to second. The service tech took it for another drive, came back and called Mazda. Sounds like they have had a few reports of Mazda5s 5spd manuals having similar issues with 1-2 upshifts. Trans is being pulled and broken down.

 

[Font Motorsports]

Kinda of glad to hear no one else has input. Went to the dealer today, initially not able to replicate the issue. I took them for a drive and it happened in the first shift to second. The service tech took it for another drive, came back and called Mazda. Sounds like they have had a few reports of Mazda5s 5spd manuals having similar issues with 1-2 upshifts. Trans is being pulled and broken down.

Ouch. That hurts.

Unfortunately there seems to be a limited amount of MX5 owners on the this forum. Which is surprising. Other than the issue you are having, how do you like your ride? Love that car.

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

These things happen and I trust the dealer working on the car (bypassed several others that are much closer). I'm glad it's all happening under warranty and Mazda was quick to accept it. Looking forward to getting it back soon although the loaner Skyactive Mazda3 has been a great replacement. Just wish they would put that powertrain in the 5. The MX5s have been great. Really enjoy the car. I spend most of my miata-internet time over at www.miata.net. I post more there than anywhere else.

 

[phunky.buddha]

I get it too- only when I don't get the clutch all the way down before I shift into 2nd. I find that the 5's clutch is adjusted a little funny from the factory. In most cars, the clutch feels "full open" at about halfway through the clutch pedal travel, and the rest is just extra pressure plate flex- in the 5, it seems like the pedal has to be past 3/4 of the way down before the clutch is open enough for a smooth shift. I'll be adjusting the clutch out when I get into the car later, but for now I just make sure to stomp extra fast on the 1-2 shift.

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

We didnt have that problem, clutch release is right about center and it was only occasional 1-2 upshifts. The tech and I taled about the tranny fluid, linkage and synchros but it appears Mazda has had a few reports of the same issue. If you're still under warranty might be worth a dealer visit. I'll post up when I know more. We love our 5 and can't wait to get her back.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Nah, I'm over 70k on the 5. I'm actually hunting for a 3 transmission to try and swap in later for a taller final drive.

 

[Heat]

... I'm actually hunting for a 3 transmission to try and swap in later for a taller final drive.

Let me know how that goes.

As far as the grinding - I have not had any shifting problems on my '09 Sport. About 30,000 miles.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Let me know how that goes.

As far as the grinding - I have not had any shifting problems on my '09 Sport. About 30,000 miles.

All the salvage yards want $1000-1100 for the 6 speed. Might still be worth it to have sitting around for whenever I need to swap out the clutch.

 

[00bluees]

I get it too- only when I don't get the clutch all the way down before I shift into 2nd. I find that the 5's clutch is adjusted a little funny from the factory. In most cars, the clutch feels "full open" at about halfway through the clutch pedal travel, and the rest is just extra pressure plate flex- in the 5, it seems like the pedal has to be past 3/4 of the way down before the clutch is open enough for a smooth shift. I'll be adjusting the clutch out when I get into the car later, but for now I just make sure to stomp extra fast on the 1-2 shift.

i get the same thing. its always on a fast shift, trying to beat someone off a light or something due to a merge, or just for fun. my foot is just slower than my hand it seems, and i end up looking a fool.

 

[pkthomas]

I have the same issue, 1 - 2 occasional grind on hard acceleration and fast shift. . Need time to get it to the dealer.

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

Call from the dealer, parts are installed, gearbox is back in, wheels on the ground. Going up to the dealer tomorrow to pick her up. Fingers crossed!

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

Got the car back, looks great, drives great. New second gear, synchro and hub for that gear. Few gaskets, rings, bolts and such. Glad to have her back in good running order. FYI I went to North End Mazda in Lunenburg MA. Well worth the drive out of the way (Passed up on area two dealers). I'm very rarely satisfied when someone else works with my cars and I have no compliants with North End.

 

[Foolish]

We didnt have that problem, clutch release is right about center and it was only occasional 1-2 upshifts. The tech and I taled about the tranny fluid, linkage and synchros but it appears Mazda has had a few reports of the same issue. If you're still under warranty might be worth a dealer visit. I'll post up when I know more. We love our 5 and can't wait to get her back.

Sounds like exactly the problem we're having. Not from launching too hard, not from trying to put it in 2nd before the clutch pedal is on the floor, just occasional, seemingly random 1-2 shift grinds. I'm glad to hear it's a known issue with Mazda, now I just need my dealer to know about it.

 

[Silentnoise713]

May I suggest trying Ford Motorcraft MTX fluid. I also had an inconsistent and notchy 1-2 shift (more consistent when cold) but my gearbox now is really smooth all around. I can honestly say I FORGOTTEN I had a notchy 2nd since change my fluid in Jan until I saw this. This magic elixir is highly reviewed on BITOG and Miata.net. I actually go back to M.net when I need to find the latest and greatest and is where I first about this fluid . I can guarantee it is better than the OE fluid but can’t say it will cure your ills but it definitely has the Ford-Mazda connection thing going. Highly recommend this stuff.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123809183-Finally-got-to-replacing-my-MTX-fluid

Also, bleed or better yet flush the clutch/brake fluid. I don't have any tangible evidence to make this claim but I suspect the shared clutch and brake system accelerates the fluid break down and more likely introduces air. Nothing good comes out of cost savings so you’d have to do your part to ensure things are in tip top shape.

 

[Davicho]

I never experienced this issue but my 5 is running the Motorcraft MTX fluid and I just did a brake fluid flush. I can say that my shifting is as smooth as butter.

 

[MAZDASPEED MX5]

The 2nd gear issue is a known problem over with Mazda. Not a lube issue. I run the Motorcraft trans fluid in my Miatas as well. This is definitely a synchro issue.

 

[Robotazky]

Kinda of glad to hear no one else has input. Went to the dealer today, initially not able to replicate the issue. I took them for a drive and it happened in the first shift to second. The service tech took it for another drive, came back and called Mazda. Sounds like they have had a few reports of Mazda5s 5spd manuals having similar issues with 1-2 upshifts. Trans is being pulled and broken down.

Pulled and broken down because of a 1-2 crunch?!? Good God, isn't that a little extreme? Did anyone even discuss the mileage on the current fluid or anything? Shifter bushings and linkage? Dropping a tranny or engine is the last thing I would want going on with my car. There must be more information that we don't have.

 

[Silentnoise713]

The 2nd gear issue is a known problem over with Mazda. Not a lube issue. I run the Motorcraft trans fluid in my Miatas as well. This is definitely a synchro issue.

Former NA owner, I agree the 2nd gear issue is common complaint. The next question is then do you feel the Motorcraft fluid helped in your Miata? I switched the NA to Redline but this was before Motorcraft became the hot topic and 2nd was still notchy –at times. At the time it was either Redline or GM Synchromesh. In the Mz5, I was eerily surprised to encounter the notch 2nd gear (come'on Mazda it's freaking 2008, not 1990s...). Like Davicho, I also switched to Motorcraft + a full clutch flush and it is much much smoother. No complaints, even after initial cold startups. But out situations may be different.

 

[rodslinger]

Our 1.5 year old 2010 Mazda5 5spd manual sport has begun grinding when shifting into 2nd. ....

I had an 08 with a 5-speed manual with the same problem. Creeped up at about 30k miles. Dealer pretty much ignored my complaint. The interesting part was I traded it for a 2010 automatic. I pulled a CarFax on my 08 a few weeks later and it showed that the dealer serviced the clutch and transmission.. Assholes.... So the problem wasn't bad enough to fix for me under warranty but it was bad enough to fix to sell. Assholes....

On a side note to you manual trans guys. Does your floormat creep up under the clutch and flip up on the clutch pedal when shifting sometimes? I had the dealer replace my drivers mat probably five times for that problem.