MSP transmission problem?

[PHaT94PRoBe]

So Labor Day, I'm sitting in the MSP with my buddy as we leave Best Buy. Turn the car on, try to shift into reverse and nothing but a loud grinding noise. Stick it back into neutral, and try again. Same results. So I try the other gears and it is like none of the other gears are there! Turn the car off and think a minute.

I put the clutch in and put the car into second gear while the car is off. It works. All the gears, including reverse, are there and work when the cars off. So I put it into second, turn the car on and nurse it home. I can shift from 2-3-4 with a little force, but it works. Got the car home and am not entirely sure what to look for or where to even start.

Some things worth noting. It has a approximately 30lb aftermarket clutch, which one I'm not sure. The car had engine and transmission work done before I purchased it at 24K miles. The throwout bearing has been whirring for about 15K miles. Car is currently at 82,xxx miles. Clutch pedal feels as it did before, its not loose and it does not travel right to the floor. Shifter also feels the same.

Any ideas?

 

[duffbuster243]

First thing I would check is the clutch, sounds like its not fully disengaging and the synchros are not letting it go into gear. As for reverse there are no synchros so it will grind if the input shaft is spinning due to the clutch being partially engaged. If you say the throwout bearing has been whining I'm going to bet it finally gave out.

 

[PHaT94PRoBe]

I've never worked on transmissions before, so I'm going into this pretty blind. Is the throwout bearing universal, or do I need one specific to the clutch in the car?

 

[duffbuster243]

Throwout Bearings are specific to the car, but most clutches just give you an OEM throwout bearing in the kit, they're usually not different.

 

[PHaT94PRoBe]

TOB difficult to repair? Any ideas what I'm looking at for timeframe or anything?

 

[TheMAN]

Throwout Bearings are specific to the car, but most clutches just give you an OEM throwout bearing in the kit, they're usually not different.

most clutch kits give you an AFTERMARKET bearing
OEM = genuine mazda
aftermarket = whatever replacement part that fits

YMMV with aftermarket bearings... if you get a koyo bearing, then you're good as it's the same one as the OEM one... if it's anything else, beware because they can be crap and for something so hard to get to, you want good parts in there!

 

[PHaT94PRoBe]

Where is the clutch adjustment on these cars? Anyone know?

 

[TheMAN]

there is no adjustment
proteges are not sentras