Just changed my tranny fluid....

[Maestrokneer]

OK...so I just changed my oil and tranny fluid. Went with Mobil 1 synthetic and a WIX oil filter, and Redline Lightweight Shockproof Gear Oil. Thanks to everyone who helped me either directly or indirectly (past posts) with the change. It was a breeze. Makes me wonder why I haven't ever done this myself before.

Anyway, I digress. So everyone on here was like, "Oh the Redline tranny was the BEST $30 I ever spent. It shifts so much smoother now....and blah blah blah". Well, I have to say that this was true for the first 30 miles. Just like it was true for the first 30 miles I got my car, and just like it was true for the first 30 miles after I had my whole transmission replaced (broken shift-fork). But just like all those other times the notchiness came back with avengence.

So what I want to know is, "What gives???!!!" Did everyone write these posts right after they changed their fluid? And if they did, has anyone noticed that terrible notchiness between 1st and 2nd return? It's kinda hard to miss in my car, as it's sometimes impossible to get it into gear the first try. What can I do about this terrible tranny? Would putting a B&M or Kartboy shifter with new bushings help the notchiness from 1st to 2nd?

Just lookin' for some answers. Please help!!!!! :'(

 

[Vicocola]

wow just changed tranny fluid and u already driven for 30 miles? umm i was planning to change mine.. now u r changing my mind

 

[Tex]

Had the same problem with mine. I went with Royal Purple transmission fluid, and although the notchiness is still there, the shifter slides past it better than before. I've driven 1000 miles since changing the fluid, with no detriorization of the improvement. Still hard to get out of reverse, though.

 

[LinuxRacr]

When I shift, I just let it fall into gear. I don't push it.

 

[SPeck]

When I shift, I just let it fall into gear. I don't push it.

(thumb)

Yeh I do to... no need to powershift

 

[Maestrokneer]

wow just changed tranny fluid and u already driven for 30 miles?

Such is the luxury of living in the Bay Area. 30 mile commutes.

As for letting it just "fall into gear" I don't know about you guys, but I shift with the fingertips. I'm definitely not "powershifting", but a lot of times, it just won't go into gear. Or it will go halfway in and stop, and you have to work it all the way in. It's basically just a piece oh s*** tranny.

I thought of trying the Royal Purple, but a ton of people raved about the Redline Shockproof, so I went with that instead.

I wouldn't worry too much Vicocola, it seems mine is just an especially stubborn tranny, you may see a marked improvement. At the very least, it's worth it just to know you've got quality fluid in your tranny that will reduce friction and wear.

I guess I'm just surprised that no one else is having the same problems as me even after a tranny fluid change.

Oh well, on to the boost gauge, MBC, and FPR installations!!!

 

[jaje]

this is one of the worst trannies i've ever owned...and makes me think twice about another mazda

i do have the kartboy short shifter and shifter bushing and that did slightly help with the notchyness of the transmission...but this unit doesn't like to be hurried as everyone says so take your time shifting...it is definitely not a "snick - snick" type of tranny

i'm actually waiting for a broken shift fork to happen as this happens often on stock engines

my only goal is to find another transmission and get shot peened shift forks, a stage 2 clutch, and the msp lsd installed in it

 

[kwiktsi]

this is one of the worst trannies i've ever owned...and makes me think twice about another mazda

i do have the kartboy short shifter and shifter bushing and that did slightly help with the notchyness of the transmission...but this unit doesn't like to be hurried as everyone says so take your time shifting...it is definitely not a "snick - snick" type of tranny

i'm actually waiting for a broken shift fork to happen as this happens often on stock engines

my only goal is to find another transmission and get shot peened shift forks, a stage 2 clutch, and the msp lsd installed in it

Odd, I have had 0 tranny issues, and no complaints whatsoever with mine. Never missed a shift, never feels like it doesn't want to go in, etc.. Actually- there was ONE time where it didn't want to go into third- it was like I hit a wall with the linkage- but I shifted odd since I was distracted by my fiancee and I let of fthe gas before pushing in the clutch and the car started to engine brake before actually pushing in the clutch and shifting .. With solid linkage shifters like these, it is possible the motor torqued forwards and caused a quick bind..

Other than that, I cannot complain about the trans..

Oh yeah- as for breaking shift forks- engine power has NOTHING to do with it, it is how you shift .. The shift forks are what slide the trans into gear- if you shift too hard or force it, you will break them. I don't know for sure if it does or not, but if the shifter does not have shift stops on it, you can "overshift" and put a lot of pressure on the fork and break it like that too- the gear engages before you stop applying pressure and you force the fork to break. I know describing it as forcing and such makes it sound like you have to really shift like a gorilla, but you don't- just shifting "wrong" and applying too much pressure at the wrong time will break it.
Joe

 

[Maestrokneer]

Thanks for the insight Joe. Always like to hear your opinion on things.

Yeah..I don't get it though. Like I said, I shift with my fingers. I definitely don't "grip it and rip it". Yet I've already had a broken shift fork, and my tranny just feels wrong.

I guess I'm used to the ultra-smooth tranny in my old Acura, but even still, I can't imagine that all this trouble getting into gears would be "normal".

 

[PaulMP3]

i have had a some tranny problems myself. i was having problems radomly going into 4th, sort of like joe said i would just hit a wall. I put redline in this past weekend, and it hasnt done it since. This stuff is amazing much smoother now. Best mod for the $$$.

 

[kwiktsi]

Thanks for the insight Joe. Always like to hear your opinion on things.

Yeah..I don't get it though. Like I said, I shift with my fingers. I definitely don't "grip it and rip it". Yet I've already had a broken shift fork, and my tranny just feels wrong.

I guess I'm used to the ultra-smooth tranny in my old Acura, but even still, I can't imagine that all this trouble getting into gears would be "normal".

How's your clutch engagement? Does it grab high or low? If it is not releasing right, it will give you a hell of a time shifting.
Joe

 

[Maestrokneer]

How's your clutch engagement? Does it grab high or low? If it is not releasing right, it will give you a hell of a time shifting.
Joe

It grabs pretty low. But not nearly as low as my old Acura. That thing you only let out about a half an inch and it was grabbing. So I don't think it's because I'm not pushing the clutch in far enough.

I've been driving manual transmission's since I was 15 and I've never had as much trouble with any of them as this one.

Joe, do you agree with jaje that adding a short throw like Kartboy or B&M might improve the shift reponse?

 

[kwiktsi]

It grabs pretty low. But not nearly as low as my old Acura. That thing you only let out about a half an inch and it was grabbing. So I don't think it's because I'm not pushing the clutch in far enough.

I've been driving manual transmission's since I was 15 and I've never had as much trouble with any of them as this one.

Joe, do you agree with jaje that adding a short throw like Kartboy or B&M might improve the shift reponse?

I wasn't saying you weren't pushing the clutch in all the way. I was saying maybe it wasn't releasing properly .

If your complaint is a difficult shift (more force than you like) than a short throw will usually make it worse. When you shorten the throw, you also decrease the leverage you have against the linkage.
Joe

 

[Maestrokneer]

I wasn't saying you weren't pushing the clutch in all the way. I was saying maybe it wasn't releasing properly .

If your complaint is a difficult shift (more force than you like) than a short throw will usually make it worse. When you shorten the throw, you also decrease the leverage you have against the linkage.
Joe

gotcha...it's not that the shifts are more difficult, it's that sometimes they're downright impossible. It doesn't feel like more force is required, as much as it feels like someone just blocked off the shift-gate with on the good days a piece of rubber, and on the bad days a piece of steel. It doesn't happen all the time obviously, or the car would be rendered undrivable. But I would say at least 3-4 times a day I have to try twice either going from 2 to 1 (or neutral to 1st rather) or 1 to 2. All the other times it just feels "notchy". Like you're clunking through the gears. From 1st to 2nd I feel like there's at least 3 points of resistance to get through. In my Acura, the only resistance was the top and bottom of the shift gate.

 

[MSP Pro]

Maestrokneer: Try the Redline MT90, which is a GL-4 lube. Redline's blurb says it allows the right amount of friction for the synchro cones to work. Perhaps the Shockproof Light is too slippery.

Also, if you suspect your clutch isn't working right, you might try bleeding the clutch line. If it has an air bubble in it, the clutch action will change depending on how fast you step on the pedal. Don't know if this is it, just a thought to try.

Good luck and keep us informed. Oh, and it will NEVER shift as smooth as your Acura did. Honda trannies are the best for smooth shifting.