Inconsistent shifting feel on shifter

Seal

Seal

Silver Member
I have a 2011 MS3 with 105k miles on it. I got it maybe 3 months ago and had the oil and transmission fluid changed not too long after I got it. I experience this issue with the shifter where sometimes the shifting - particularly from 1st to second gear - feels like butter and other times there is some resistance going into second.

What could be the culprits here? Do I need to work on the adjustment of the shifter linkage? I'm ignorant of the part names but where the linkage goes into the transmission - pivot shaft assembly? - there is the shift seal. I do not see any leaking there.

This picture is not of my shift seal but as a reference. What is the little button or valve there?

mazdaspeed3-transmission-leak-v0-enz9qfucq3wd1.jpeg
 
That button is the breather vent for the transmission. It looks like you might have a bit of bleeding coming out of the pivot shaft seal. I would clean up that whole area and see if it returns.

As far as your uneven shifting, what kind of fluid went into your trans? I ask because our transmissions are VERY picky.

Also, when was the last the brakes/clutch line were bled?
 
Mauro_Penguin said:
That button is the breather vent for the transmission. It looks like you might have a bit of bleeding coming out of the pivot shaft seal. I would clean up that whole area and see if it returns.

As far as your uneven shifting, what kind of fluid went into your trans? I ask because our transmissions are VERY picky.

Also, when was the last the brakes/clutch line were bled?
Click to expand...

That image isn’t of my pivot shaft assembly: I posted it for a reference image.

The valve on mine seems to be working - pops up and I don’t see any oil around it.

I used Redline MTL as I’ve seen that is pretty popular recommendation.

I got the car about three months ago so I can’t speak to the brake and clutch lines being bleed.
 
Could be engine/trans movement changing the location of the shift point too. It *shouldn't* happen but it can; IIRC popping out of second is a thing sometimes.
 
I wondered that before I changed all my motor mounts: I replaced all the OEM mounts with Damond.

It seems if I’m driving my aggressively and shift into second at a more diagonal angle: riding alright the plastic piece on the shifter assembly, I get the resistance. If I have a little more finesse and move it slightly towards the center I get a smoother shift.

I had the inconsistent feel as described in my OP with both the stock shifter and with my more recently installed Corksport short shifter.

Could it be I need to further adjust select cable on the shifter, could shifting the stick over more to the center be the issue?
 
Could just be an adjustment issue. If your 1-2 won't shift properly when you're on the stop (and you usually hit the stop), I'd correct that. Easy enough to do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top