Is the Transmission the Weak point for the Speed3?

[jaydubz]

I was just taking a look at the number of people viewing at the Drive Train and Tranny section of the speed3 forums. I recently traded in my MKV GTI because I wanted more power and so far I am wondering if I did the right thing. A day after purchasing the vehicle I noticed my clutch squeeking and when the car is cold it feels like there is a slight grind in the gears, is this normal? I have had a mazda 6 lemoned by Mazda before due to a bad tranny in the 6 and bad brakes.

What do you guys think? I am looking for some objective answers. The dealer told me that the car needed a few more miles on it to wear down?!?!? Does that sound legit?

 

[silverspeed03]

Well, I can't really answer your question as a whole but, I've had mine for about 2 1/2 months and 2,800 miles of pretty spirited driving with absolutely no problems.

 

[Fritch]

I've had zero issues with mine in 30k miles, haven't really heard of many issues at all in fact

 

[jaydubz]

Well, I can't really answer your question as a whole but, I've had mine for about 2 1/2 months and 2,800 miles of pretty spirited driving with absolutely no problems.

Have you ever noticed any the issues that I have described? Such as the slight grinding on a cold tranny or the squeeky clutch? Keep in mind this a 08!

 

[silverspeed03]

Have you ever noticed any the issues that I have described? Such as the slight grinding on a cold tranny or the squeaky clutch? Keep in mind this a 08!

I own an '08 also. No I've not had any of those issues.......well I take that back I did have a slight grinding noise sometimes when I'm in 1st gear and feathering the clutch. It only happens in 1st gear and I've only heard it maybe 4-5 times but, it was within the first week - week and a half of ownership.

 

[jaydubz]

I own an '08 also. No I've not had any of those issues.......well I take that back I did have a slight grinding noise sometimes when I'm in 1st gear and feathering the clutch. It only happens in 1st gear and I've only heard it maybe 4-5 times but, it was within the first week - week and a half of ownership.

OK, well that does not make me feel better but atleast I know I am not crazy! Do you happen to know what that is, ever concerned enough to bring it to the dealership Silver? Thanks for humoring my concerns! (cool)

 

[clos561]

OK, well that does not make me feel better but atleast I know I am not crazy! Do you happen to know what that is, ever concerned enough to bring it to the dealership Silver? Thanks for humoring my concerns! (cool)

the slight gridning i believe is jsut the fluid type, cold tranny

 

[silverspeed03]

OK, well that does not make me feel better but atleast I know I am not crazy! Do you happen to know what that is, ever concerned enough to bring it to the dealership Silver? Thanks for humoring my concerns! (cool)

I'm not trying to alarm you. I have not brought it to my dealers attn. because it has not happened in about 2 months. I figured it was something that would work itself out being a new car and all, I just thought everything needed to settle. Plus it was so sporadic I assumed that it end in one of those famous "Sorry but, we couldn't duplicate the noise" deals so I didn't bother.

 

[jaydubz]

I'm not trying to alarm you. I have not brought it to my dealers attn. because it has not happened in about 2 months. I figured it was something that would work itself out being a new car and all, I just thought everything needed to settle. Plus it was so sporadic I assumed that it end in one of those famous "Sorry but, we couldn't duplicate the noise" deals so I didn't bother.

yeah I got that deal with the clutch squeek, however one of the service techs heard it and vouched, they said that a switch may have to be replaced but for now just try to let things settle and grind itself down, not sure it I like that answer!

 

[Falconx84]

i don't know the right term or wording, but i'll give it a shot...

the tranny is "splash lubricated" so in the morning or after it sits awhile, the cold fluid is all at the bottom of the tranny. The fluid has to warm up a bit and splash around in the case as the tranny spins to lubricate the gears. Basically, don't be hard on it for the first few miles, esp in cold weather

 

[SSMS3]

I also have the cold grinding gears, nearly 8,000 miles on the car and it hasn't gotten any better since new. You can modify the timing of your shifts to minimize the effect but it's always there until you warm the fluid and get it distributed throughout the trans

 

[jaydubz]

I was afraid you guys were going to say that, I guess I can make do. However the squeeking is driving me crazy! However everyone at mazda seems to think it is not too detremental.

 

[redspeed]

Is it a squeeking at the clutch pedal, or at the engine bay? If it is the pedal, probably a little oil will do. If at the engine bay keep harassing your dealer. just my .02

 

[Betelgeuse]

I drive mine hard all the time and tranny feels just the same as the day I bought it 21k miles ago. The notchiness in the morning is normal, it just needs to warm up like someone already mentioned (which is fairly common in manuals). There are people tracking and racing these cars often (some with over 300whp) and I haven't seen any posts regarding broken gears yet. The biggest complaint I've seen is the shift feel which does take a little getting used to but that's about it. There are some noobs grinding 2-3rd but so far I haven't heard of anyone completely f*cking one up

 

[jaydubz]

Is it a squeeking at the clutch pedal, or at the engine bay? If it is the pedal, probably a little oil will do. If at the engine bay keep harassing your dealer. just my .02

The squeak is happening directly at the clutch pedal assembly. The dealer has already tried to lube it up to no avail. I am just concerned due to the fact that I lemoned a 6 a couple of years ago and one of the main complaints was the clutch and sounds and engagement point, I guess I am concerned it may be a precursor.

 

[fourthmeal]

I can tell you with authority that there is something with these transmissions, or perhaps better said that there is something with the linkages and shifter.

You see, before my 4th trans. mount failed, I would grind and miss all the time.

When my engine fell out (as so many have seen), they must have changed and adjusted something in there, because from that day onward, I've not missed a shift or had a single upset from the transmission. My guess is there are adjustments to make on these things, and some of them get it wrong at the factory, some get it right.

Also, I'm looking forward to a short shifter and motor mount install in my car someday.

 

[jaydubz]

I can tell you with authority that there is something with these transmissions, or perhaps better said that there is something with the linkages and shifter.

You see, before my 4th trans. mount failed, I would grind and miss all the time.

When my engine fell out (as so many have seen), they must have changed and adjusted something in there, because from that day onward, I've not missed a shift or had a single upset from the transmission. My guess is there are adjustments to make on these things, and some of them get it wrong at the factory, some get it right.

Also, I'm looking forward to a short shifter and motor mount install in my car someday.

Is your car a 07 or 08, supposedly all 08 models are up to date with the exception of some that need the shutter valve update. I have noticed that the margin of error between 3rd and putting it in 1st is fairly close. did you clutch squeak or give any precursors before it all failed.

 

[Vindikacione]

No grinding at all in my MS3. No squeaking clutch either. But shifting simply sucks. Consistency in shifts does not exist. 4th to 5th is a random gate. 5th to 6th is slow, long, and sketchy. But I only have 3600 miles, so I have lots more practice to do. Good thing the car is fast no matter what gear u r in.

 

[fourthmeal]

Is your car a 07 or 08, supposedly all 08 models are up to date with the exception of some that need the shutter valve update. I have noticed that the margin of error between 3rd and putting it in 1st is fairly close. did you clutch squeak or give any precursors before it all failed.

As my sig says, 2007. Incidentally, mine was one of the first to the states, and had some early issues (like the friggin trans mount)

 

[jaydubz]

As my sig says, 2007. Incidentally, mine was one of the first to the states, and had some early issues (like the friggin trans mount)

Aww man I am sorry to hear that, I dont know how you would do it! I would probably would have had a puppy if mine fell into that category!

I thought I ran into problems with MY Veedub, but I worry that I have gotten myself into a more expensive hole with the Speed3!

Do you guys remember if there were any precursors before you had any tranny problems?