I'm bringing the truck to tranny shop this month for a clutch and a tranny rebuild (98 4.6/ 4x4). The tranny has shifted poorly since I got it at 30,000miles and has slowly gotten worse, esp the 1-2 shift where it likes to grind. The clutch also started slipping a little this year (too many drag-style launches). Time for action! Does anyone have any advice or instructions I should tell the mechanic? Any upgrades available? And has anyone heard about that Hurst shifter?!?
PS Has anyone else experianced the grinding when downshifting and hitting bumps? Is that all these transmissions do- GRIND?

 

yes this is about all this tranny does is grind it is a piece of ****

 

I have 38,000 miles on my 5 speed never had a problem with it grinding. I also drive it like a truck where you can not just slam the gears, or speed shift. It wasn't designed that way and its not a performance transmission. I believe as long as you drive it like a truck, because it is a truck you should have no problem at all.

 

Honestly, I feel I do drive it like a truck. I will not, however, drive it like my grandfather's Caddy! I guess a 'Truck' means different things to different people.

 

Just got a Centerforce Dual Friction for mine, supposed to hold 90% more than OEM. I've ran these in everything from a 12 second Mustang to a Toyota w/38.5" tires, and never had a problem. I'm very happy with how well they work, they don't even cost that much more than an OEM replacement, just find someone willing to put it in for you, even a newer truck can be tricky with the torsion bars. Less slip, it's either in or it's out, for these trucks the counter weights are on the inside rather than the outside. Also as far as the grinding, change your ATF (yes I know I said ATF, that's what's in most manuals now) to a high quality ATF, it will take a drive or two, but it will improve the grinding. These Mazda transmissions are notchy from the start, but this does help. I'm figuring on changing mine at least once every two years.

Just my 2 cents.....but from experience

 

Yea, this tranny is a POS. Sometimes mine is almost impossible to get into 1st gear. I am going to break or bend something one of these days - probably break my hand against the dash when it does finally go into 1st gear.