[Miata] 3rd gear feels rough

[Peter DelMastro]

Thanks Ron.

  -- Pete

Ron Zander wrote:
> I was taught that keeping continual pressure on the shifter is bad  
> because it continues to put pressure on the shifting forks.
> Studying the diagram here: http://www.howstuffworks.com/transmission3.htm
> it makes sense that it would not be desirable to continue to put  
> pressure on the shifter once it's in a particular gear.
>
>
> On Dec 5, 2007, at 5:05 PM, Peter DelMastro wrote:
>
>   
>> Hi Ron,
>>
>> Can you give us any references or evidence to support your  
>> statements then ?
>>
>> -- Pete
>>
>> Ron Zander wrote:
>>     
>>> no
>>>
>>> On Dec 5, 2007, at 4:27 PM, Peter DelMastro wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>       
>>>> Hi Ron,
>>>>
>>>> Can you explain how even minute pressure from your hand on the  
>>>> shift  lever can be bad ?
>>>>
>>>> -- Pete
>>>>
>>>> Ron Zander wrote:
>>>>
>>>>         
>>>>> unless you hear bad noises I wouldn't worry about it. I think  
>>>>> the  gear  shift moves on mine too if I get on and off the gas, I  
>>>>> think  that's  normal. FYI, it's not a good idea to rest your  
>>>>> hand on the  gear shift,  even a minute pressure you might be  
>>>>> applying can be  bad. Let it be  where it wants to be naturally.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Dec 5, 2007, at 2:38 PM, Kyle Gruel wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>           
>>>>>> It goes into 3rd just fine (2nd feels more rough shifting into   
>>>>>> than  3rd by far,  I'll try synthetic like yourself and Hank   
>>>>>> mentioned for  that),  just once I'm there the shift feels   
>>>>>> 'wobbly' and sort of  bounces and twitches under my hand while  
>>>>>> I  drive,  especially when  changing acceleration.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Ron Zander wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>             
>>>>>>> I'm not familiar with any 3rd gear problems. Does it go into  
>>>>>>> 3rd  ok?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Usually its the 1-2 shift that is rough and changing to   
>>>>>>> synthetic  gear  oil makes a heck of a big difference. If the  
>>>>>>> car  doesn't  have  synthetic gear oil I'd recommend putting  
>>>>>>> that on  your to do  list, also  do the differential. Then see  
>>>>>>> how things  feel.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Dec 5, 2007, at 11:33 AM, Kyle Gruel wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>               
>>>>>>>> I just bought a '99 Miata MX-5 and absolutely love the car.    
>>>>>>>> Became
>>>>>>>> convert for life.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> One thing that is worrying me a bit though (not having any    
>>>>>>>> experience
>>>>>>>> with these cars) is that 3rd gear feels a bit rough.  1,2,4,5   
>>>>>>>> all  feel
>>>>>>>> rock solid when I shift into them,  and I generally drive  
>>>>>>>> with   one  hand
>>>>>>>> resting on the shift.  In 3rd it tends to bounce around and   
>>>>>>>> feel   loose,
>>>>>>>> especially in comparison to the other ones.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What's going on here?