Need opinions from the techs here...
10-15-02, 09:03 PM
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Need opinions from the techs here...
Bought my first RX-7 about 3 weeks ago from a guy in Michigan. 88 GTU, N/A, 90k miles, all stock. On my drive back to Tampa (HOME) I get to stopped traffic in Macon Georgia. Now the car has been running incredibly well all the way down but in this stopped traffic on 75 I am feeling the tranny and it is "crunchy" and has a hard time getting in to first and second gear while we are in stop-n-go traffic. I get out of stopped traffic and am in 1st gear shifting to second when I just all of a sudden cant get it in to gear.
Pedal to the floor with pressure
no bump or grinding or anything when I am on my way to second and am in neutral frantically searching for a gear.
I pull over and have it towed to Mazda dealership in Macon. The rotary guy at the dealership manages to work the car in to gear just a little and then turns her on and gives her gas until she flows back in to gear. The car is fine now but I have run in to this situation about 4 times in the 7 days following this highway incident.
The mechanic told me that it is probably the pilot bearing that went bad and is causing this trouble.
N e one else heard or had this problem? I am back in Tampa and am very close to having them rip apart the tranny and replace that part.....but if it ends up being something like my synchros then are these easy to replace? Or would I be looking at a tranny transplant?
Pedal to the floor with pressure
no bump or grinding or anything when I am on my way to second and am in neutral frantically searching for a gear.
I pull over and have it towed to Mazda dealership in Macon. The rotary guy at the dealership manages to work the car in to gear just a little and then turns her on and gives her gas until she flows back in to gear. The car is fine now but I have run in to this situation about 4 times in the 7 days following this highway incident.
The mechanic told me that it is probably the pilot bearing that went bad and is causing this trouble.
N e one else heard or had this problem? I am back in Tampa and am very close to having them rip apart the tranny and replace that part.....but if it ends up being something like my synchros then are these easy to replace? Or would I be looking at a tranny transplant?
10-15-02, 09:05 PM
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BTW the clutch master cylinder was replaced 6 months ago.....I don't know exactly what role the slave cylinder plays but it is still stock if that may be the problem.
10-15-02, 09:25 PM
#3
My experience is to replace both at the same time, the added pleasure from the master can kill the slave.
The other odd thing is the clutch can go (as in the springs) had this happen to me on my first drive home (some one was beaten on the car) replaced the clutch and has been ok ever since.
The other odd thing is the clutch can go (as in the springs) had this happen to me on my first drive home (some one was beaten on the car) replaced the clutch and has been ok ever since.
10-15-02, 09:31 PM
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Well, on my deceased 323 I had a similar problem except I could never get it back in gear because the clutch springs sprung out and got jammed. That can't be your case though. The pilot bearing does sound like a culprit since it is an on and off problem. If it were synchros you would have it all of the time.
A tranny rebuild is spendy so I hope it is not that. If you are questioning the clutch at all now is the time to replace it since they will be dropping the tranny. Maybe get an aftermarket clutch
A tranny rebuild is spendy so I hope it is not that. If you are questioning the clutch at all now is the time to replace it since they will be dropping the tranny. Maybe get an aftermarket clutch
10-16-02, 07:58 AM
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Are clutch diaphragm springs very expensive to replace? And is our clutch pretty universal or is it a pretty standard setup to where the mazda dealership would have this spring in stock and it would work for many mazda model cars?
Thanx for the opinions so far guys I really appreciate it! After hearing about the synchros and that they would be giving me problems all the time if they were the culprit really put my mind at rest. I guess it is prolly the pilot bearing then.
One last question... Is it a large complicated job to tear the tranny off of my 88 GTU N/A bone stock? Time consuming? I hate the thought of shelling out 400+ bucks for a $6.00 part replacement....
Thanx for the opinions so far guys I really appreciate it! After hearing about the synchros and that they would be giving me problems all the time if they were the culprit really put my mind at rest. I guess it is prolly the pilot bearing then.
One last question... Is it a large complicated job to tear the tranny off of my 88 GTU N/A bone stock? Time consuming? I hate the thought of shelling out 400+ bucks for a $6.00 part replacement....
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10-16-02, 11:16 AM
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Originally posted by Capn' Wankel
Are clutch diaphragm springs very expensive to replace? And is our clutch pretty universal or is it a pretty standard setup to where the mazda dealership would have this spring in stock and it would work for many mazda model cars?
Thanx for the opinions so far guys I really appreciate it! After hearing about the synchros and that they would be giving me problems all the time if they were the culprit really put my mind at rest. I guess it is prolly the pilot bearing then.
One last question... Is it a large complicated job to tear the tranny off of my 88 GTU N/A bone stock? Time consuming? I hate the thought of shelling out 400+ bucks for a $6.00 part replacement....
Are clutch diaphragm springs very expensive to replace? And is our clutch pretty universal or is it a pretty standard setup to where the mazda dealership would have this spring in stock and it would work for many mazda model cars?
Thanx for the opinions so far guys I really appreciate it! After hearing about the synchros and that they would be giving me problems all the time if they were the culprit really put my mind at rest. I guess it is prolly the pilot bearing then.
One last question... Is it a large complicated job to tear the tranny off of my 88 GTU N/A bone stock? Time consuming? I hate the thought of shelling out 400+ bucks for a $6.00 part replacement....
10-16-02, 11:28 AM
#9
I have to say that I'm not totally convinced that the pilot bearing is at fault. If it were, you would be getting a constant wwrrrrrrring noise (technical term) as well. That being said, I wouldn't rule I out.
If you decide to disassemble things, here's what I'd do. First of all, if the trani is coming off the car, the pilot bearings, throw out bearings, and the trani seals should be replaced. They are all cheap, and impossible to reach with the trani on the engine. Now taking the transmission off isn't THAT hard, and well within the scope of most backyard mechanics - so do that yourself. You can also easily remove the old clutch disc and pressure plate. What you will want help with is the pilot bearing removal. there is a special tool that will do it cleanly and easily. Without it you can **** things up royally. Either find someone with the tool, or pay Mazda half an hour labour, and have them remove it for you. That's what I did.
If the clutch is the problem, obviously you will have to replace it. If it is not the problem, and you have the cash, replace it anyway. The transmission is off, so why not? If you upgrade, take the parts to mazda with you. The guy will remove the old pilot bearing, put the new one in, bolt up the pressure plate and allign the clutch disc all in less than one hour - with no Mazda parts charges. That means for $50, all the tricky work is done. It is WELL worth it. All you have to do then is take the car home, bolt up the transmission, and you are good to go. Doing most of the work yourdelf will save you big bucks. Good Luck.
Nick
If you decide to disassemble things, here's what I'd do. First of all, if the trani is coming off the car, the pilot bearings, throw out bearings, and the trani seals should be replaced. They are all cheap, and impossible to reach with the trani on the engine. Now taking the transmission off isn't THAT hard, and well within the scope of most backyard mechanics - so do that yourself. You can also easily remove the old clutch disc and pressure plate. What you will want help with is the pilot bearing removal. there is a special tool that will do it cleanly and easily. Without it you can **** things up royally. Either find someone with the tool, or pay Mazda half an hour labour, and have them remove it for you. That's what I did.
If the clutch is the problem, obviously you will have to replace it. If it is not the problem, and you have the cash, replace it anyway. The transmission is off, so why not? If you upgrade, take the parts to mazda with you. The guy will remove the old pilot bearing, put the new one in, bolt up the pressure plate and allign the clutch disc all in less than one hour - with no Mazda parts charges. That means for $50, all the tricky work is done. It is WELL worth it. All you have to do then is take the car home, bolt up the transmission, and you are good to go. Doing most of the work yourdelf will save you big bucks. Good Luck.
Nick
10-16-02, 11:50 AM
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Wow thanks for the responses guys! Well after much contemplation I think that I wil borrow a hydraulic Jack and some jackstands from my fiance's father and do it myself. I had already purchased the pilot bearing, throwout bearing, and S/S clutchplate from Mazdatrix for the dealer here to use so I guess I will have to order the tool for the pilot bearing removal and the tranny seals and MAYBE possibly the clutch diaphragm spring and flywheel (or resurface it).
While I am on the Mazdatrix webpage ordering parts is there anything else that I might be forgetting?
Thanx again guys for the help.
While I am on the Mazdatrix webpage ordering parts is there anything else that I might be forgetting?
Thanx again guys for the help.
10-16-02, 12:02 PM
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Cap'n
Check the tranny fluid level - if it's low, you will have problems shifting and if really low, well you may have a nice boat anchor there.
How's the shifter feel when it is working? If it's really loose, the bushings around the shifter ball may be disintegrated, and the shifter may be too out of alignment to catch the gears properly. The bushings are not expensive, and a common failure point with these cars at this age. Check the Mazdatrix website for a thorough explanation on how to fix, which part #'s to buy.
If the pilot bearing is bad, it makes noise all the time. Not sure how you would do as Nick86 suggests, the bearing is in the end of the E-shaft; you have to drop the tranny (and exhaust, driveshaft, etc.) to get at the clutch & pilot bearing - how are you going to get the car to the dealer's shop then?
Clutch diaphram springs are not a replaceable item.
Good luck
Check the tranny fluid level - if it's low, you will have problems shifting and if really low, well you may have a nice boat anchor there.
How's the shifter feel when it is working? If it's really loose, the bushings around the shifter ball may be disintegrated, and the shifter may be too out of alignment to catch the gears properly. The bushings are not expensive, and a common failure point with these cars at this age. Check the Mazdatrix website for a thorough explanation on how to fix, which part #'s to buy.
If the pilot bearing is bad, it makes noise all the time. Not sure how you would do as Nick86 suggests, the bearing is in the end of the E-shaft; you have to drop the tranny (and exhaust, driveshaft, etc.) to get at the clutch & pilot bearing - how are you going to get the car to the dealer's shop then?
Clutch diaphram springs are not a replaceable item.
Good luck
10-16-02, 12:09 PM
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The shifter is terribly sloppy... I purchased the short shifter from Mazdatrix but haven't put it in yet. The bearings are included. I don't notice a noise all the time.... The pilot bearing is in the eccentric shaft eh? That is what I thought but wasn't 100 percent sure hehe. I have dual exhaust stock on the car....will I still have to remove it to get to the tranny? I thought that I read somewhere that I wouldn't if I had the dual exhaust. And no matter what I do I will have to drop the driveshaft to get at the pilot bearing then?
10-16-02, 12:09 PM
#13
You get the car towed. AAA, (CAA in Canada) towed me both ways for free. they came and got the car at night, dropped it off and picked it up the next day. Door to door to door flatbed service free of charge.
Once the trani, drive shaft, exhaust are off the car, make an appointment with AAA and Mazda. It worked perfectly for me. The flatbed guy put the car near the garage, and the Mazda guys pushed it in. Having the guy do all that -including cleaning the flywheel - cost less than the price of the tool.
If you are not an AAA member, it might not be worth it however. Just my .02
Once the trani, drive shaft, exhaust are off the car, make an appointment with AAA and Mazda. It worked perfectly for me. The flatbed guy put the car near the garage, and the Mazda guys pushed it in. Having the guy do all that -including cleaning the flywheel - cost less than the price of the tool.
If you are not an AAA member, it might not be worth it however. Just my .02
10-16-02, 12:11 PM
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And clutch diaphragm springs aren't replaceable but may still go bad? Has n e one ever had their diaphragm spring go bad on them? That is what is meant by clutch spring right?
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