To old '73 RX-3 Owners

[RacinAlt]

Anyone ever had a problem with 4th gear?

Was out on a test drive with new shocks NEW knoi's for $39! online (front is still too low need to raise it up to get more travel to avoid body bump, but much better)

It's stuck in 4th now, I think a shift fork might be bent. Had to trailer it home the other day.

Good thing it came with an extra tranny.

At least you know its getting driven.

Mazda will be sad for a couple of days.

[budweeks]

Hey Bobby,

I never had any trouble with the tranny. I always thought the Mazda transmissions were pretty bulletproof, although Mark R. blew one up once. That particular trans came out of an early RX7, hence the 4-sp instead of a 5-sp. Check with Rodger Grantham---he might have some trans, parts, or ideas. Good luck.

Bud

[RacinAlt]

Yeah I think the tranny, as the gears are fine still, its just stuck, which is what is making me think bent shift fork

[RacinAlt]

Figured out what broke in the RX-3 Tranny.

There is a bearing retainer plate in the middle of the tranny.

There was a bolt that broke off, then the other 4 bolts backed them selves out.

What this allowed was some slop in the main shaft, that has 2-4 on it. When there was enought slop there are 3 key ways on the center gear.

With too much slop those keyways came out, and 1 of them stood up thus locking the tranny in 4th.

From here, I have it all apart and if I can drill out the blot that broke I think I can put it back together the right way.

Also the tail section appears to be compatable with the 81 tranny I have. So I might do that for now to get the car running again, and then put the 4-sp back together in my own time.

[Bullitt2954]

Don't drill it - let me look at it first. Drilling; you risk gettin' into the threads or at a minimum you'll put shavings all over the innards. If I can reach it with a TIG torch, I can extract the broken bolt with zero damage, zero mess.

[RacinAlt]

Don't drill it - let me look at it first. Drilling; you risk gettin' into the threads or at a minimum you'll put shavings all over the innards. If I can reach it with a TIG torch, I can extract the broken bolt with zero damage, zero mess.

ok.....

[Bullitt2954]

Don't drill it - let me look at it first. Drilling; you risk gettin' into the threads or at a minimum you'll put shavings all over the innards. If I can reach it with a TIG torch, I can extract the broken bolt with zero damage, zero mess.

ok.....

I can swing by tomorrow night after work - when would be "too late" for you? I'll be in Bella Vista anyway. Typically, I'm back from work 7:00-8:00.

I can give it a look - if I think I can TIG it out, I'll take it with, bring it back the next evening.

Whaddyer think?

If not, I'll bring-along my lefthand drillbits.

[RacinAlt]

Don't drill it - let me look at it first. Drilling; you risk gettin' into the threads or at a minimum you'll put shavings all over the innards. If I can reach it with a TIG torch, I can extract the broken bolt with zero damage, zero mess.

ok.....

I can swing by tomorrow night after work - when would be "too late" for you? I'll be in Bella Vista anyway. Typically, I'm back from work 7:00-8:00.

I can give it a look - if I think I can TIG it out, I'll take it with, bring it back the next evening.

Whaddyer think?

If not, I'll bring-along my lefthand drillbits.

That is cool, that time works for me.

Good news is that the tail housing from the 4-sp works on the 5-speed, all I had to do was change out the shift fork fingers and the drive shaft ramp.

Put it all together tonight, so it should be ready to install as soon as the goo is dry.

The 4-sp will be a backup tranny incase I ever shell the 5-sp.

You should teach me how to weld right too!

[RacinAlt]

RX-3 runs again!

[Bullitt2954]

Bolt's out. It'll prolly be Saturday before I can drop off the cassette. There's a LOT goin' on at work tomorrow - but if it gets done early, I'll ring you up and swing by.

[RacinAlt]

Bolt's out. It'll prolly be Saturday before I can drop off the cassette. There's a LOT goin' on at work tomorrow - but if it gets done early, I'll ring you up and swing by.

THat is cool, I will be at Sam's though working on the cage.