Need some transmission advice

[sunlightsilver]

So there's a few things going on with my transmission I'd like some answers to.

Firstly, once the car is warmed up it is sometimes hard to put the car back into 1st gear from neutral. I will have to try 2 or 3 times to get it in. Other times it doesn't do this.

Secondly, sometimes when I first start the car up and take off at 1-2k rpm in 1st gear the car will shudder quite violently - I assume my clutch is going but would like clarification. This will occur for about first 10minutes of driving and then stop after that. Gotta rev it up to 2.5k rpm or higher to avoid shuddering when taking off.

With the shuddering when taking off, it won't always happen. Some days it is fine and some days it is not. I don't get the reason as to why it's inconsistent. I would have thought if it was the clutch it would always happen which is why I'm unsure.

Thanks in advance for the help

[hks_kansei]

Shudder could be clutch, or flywheel, or both.
Revving to 2500 and slipping the clutch won't be helping it though, just wearing it faster.
A clutch is an expensive job if you don't do it at home, so I'd just live with it until the clutch starts slipping.


First from neutral, I assume this is only when stopped? (ie: not while rolling?)

Try putting it into second just before first, sometimes it's just as simple as the gear teeth not lined up 100%, slipping it into second can help them line up.
Alternatively, go back to neutral, release clutch, then try 1st again.

The gearbox seems normal to me.

[sunlightsilver]

Shudder could be clutch, or flywheel, or both.
Revving to 2500 and slipping the clutch won't be helping it though, just wearing it faster.
A clutch is an expensive job if you don't do it at home, so I'd just live with it until the clutch starts slipping.

Yeah I know revving it higher wears it faster, it just feels like it'll stall if I continue launching normally through the shudder. It may be the flywheel is worn? Would give me an excuse to upgrade it to a lightweight one haha.

First from neutral, I assume this is only when stopped? (ie: not while rolling?)

Try putting it into second just before first, sometimes it's just as simple as the gear teeth not lined up 100%, slipping it into second can help them line up.
Alternatively, go back to neutral, release clutch, then try 1st again.

Yeah neutral to first while stopped of course

I'll try your suggestion. I only noticed it happening when I was driving to work on Friday, haven't noticed it before that.

[manga_blue]

There could be a couple of different things going on here. Shudder usually means problems with the clutch/flywheel pack, but it could also be broken engine mounts. Difficulty engaging first while stationary is usually a problem with the clutch hydraulics causing the clutch to not disengage properly. Are there any signs of leaks around the clutch master cylinder (inside and outside the cabin) and the slave cylinder? Has the clutch fluid been replaced every 2 years? When was it last bled?

[sunlightsilver]

Are there any signs of leaks around the clutch master cylinder (inside and outside the cabin) and the slave cylinder? Has the clutch fluid been replaced every 2 years? When was it last bled?

I will check for leaks (there's none inside the cabin but not sure about outside).

I also haven't changed the clutch fluid since I bought it a few months ago... I'll do that with my oil change this weekend and see how it goes.

Thanks for the help so far guys.

[speed freak]

Since you have an NB8B the shudder you will be getting is considered 'normal' so Iv been told off my mx5 specialist, that's if its on the stock clutch still once they get a bit old and tired they shudder.

The selecting gear issue could also be due to the clutch and or gearbox oil. Mine used to be the same (nb8b) sometimes very rarely though it wouldn't want to go into first and sometimes even with gently selecting the gear it would almost always grind or clunk into second gear. Friday just gone I actually got my clutch and flywheel changed and got new redline oil put in the box. All I can say is wow, it did cost a bit to get done but its made driving the car so much more enjoyable. It always goes into first and nice and smoothly into second and no more shudder

Mine has around 105 000 km on it now and would shudder quit badly especially when the clutch heated up, it didn't like taking off on inclines or going up steep driveways, only ever used to slip when really giving it the beans then change gear and back on the throttle it would slip for a second or two grip up and go.

Not saying go out and spend $1500 on a new clutch and flywheel combo but it worked for me and its so much better. I went with a B6 HD clutch kit and a B6 lightweight flywheel which is perfectly fine on a stock nb8b motor, if you plan on going FI down the track maybe not or get it beefed up to handle more power. B6 is the engine in the NA mx5's so its a smaller kit and they never had any shuddering issues so my mx5 specialist highly recommends this kit in the nb8b and now I see why.

[sunlightsilver]

My car clunks into second gear pretty regularly, even if you double clutch it so it sounds pretty similar to what I've got happening. It's definitely the stock clutch still. My car has more K's than yours. I'm at 149000 now. I'll change the fluid this weekend and hopefully that gives an improvement, if not I'll probably just leave it and fix it later if it becomes more pressing as I have a few other things I need to fix on the car first (suspension yay!) haha.

Really hanging out for my christmas break so I have more time to work on it!

[tescoking]

Same here, try to use redline MTL, cheapest way to make it smooth, it might not help but worth to try.

[93_Clubman]

There was a clutch issue with many NB8Bs from new or relatively new, & many were replaced under warranty. In some threads on here from around 2005-2006.

[Mr Morlock]

there was indeed an issue with NBP2 clutches and it was related to the friction material. I replaced a shuddering clutch and never had a problem since doing that. The car needs to be checked by a clutch specialist and in all likelihood it will need to be replaced. A test if not going to cost anything.

[sunlightsilver]

Thanks for the info about the clutches being no good.

I'll just live with it for now..

[thehillsarecalling]

Just to add in a few more bits of info re the shudder:

In 2001 (first year of the NB8B), Mazda switched over to an organic friction material on their clutches. The shuddering issue was a defect in the clutches that they used. An advisory was issued, and clutches were replaced under warranty, but it was not a "recall" so not all NB8B's had them replaced.

Watch the shudder, I've heard reports of it being so violent that it takes the driveline out of alignment. Haven't seen this first hand, but it could be true.

I find that jamming on the brakes and slipping the clutch for a second or two while at low revs and foot flat on the throttle tends to "wear off" a layer of material, and for the rest of the drive the clutch won't shudder. Just don't be too enthusiastic with this procedure as you can glaze the material. Clutch life will be negatively impacted.

Either live with it (my choice), or get it replaced. If you live in the eastern states, see if you can get to a dodgy day (not as bad as they sound), and bring a new clutch, copius beer, and plead nicely and someone might take pity and help you switch it out .