I got this P5 september '02.. I basically learned how to drive stick on this car(and loving it!). At about 10k miles (it's at 16k or so now), I started noticing that whenever I put it into 5th gear (going 4th to 5th), I can hear a grinding noise in the process. This doesn't happen if I change the gear slowly or pause slightly and hold the clutch longer in the switch. But with one quick motion from 4th to 5th, there's a grinding noise before it gets into 5th. I hope you guys can understand my probably poor explanation for this issue. Has anyone else experienced something similar? What should I do? It's getting kinda annoying

 

I've been pressing the clutch in all the way for 5th. Thats not the problem.

Theman: So I should be slower with 4->5 than with other shifts? Thats kinda silly.

 

Hmm.. I was google'ing around and found something... Looks like the RX-7 had a similar known problem.

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DESCRIPTION
-----------
If grinding occurs when shifting to 5th gear, a 5th gear synchronizer ring,
damaged by mis-shifting, may be the cause. To correct this concern, the select
spindle has been modified to increase accuracy of the shift pattern.

REPAIR PROCEDURE
----------------
1. Verify complaint.
2. Replace the shift select spindle and 5th gear synchronizer ring.
3. Inspect related parts for damage. Replace as necessary.

PARTS INFORMATION
-----------------
PART NUMBER: R503 17 550
DESCRIPTION: Shift Select Spindle

PART NUMBER: W501 17 725B
DESCRIPTION: 5th Gear Synchronizer

NOTE: The part number of the spindle has not changed. Parts in your facing
PDC are new. Dealers with spindles existing in inventory should check the
spindle using the method shown below.

[ Picture showing transmission housing and spindle ]

Compress Spindle And Record Spring Force
Old Part= 6.7 +/- 0.7 kg
New Part= 8.9 +/- 0.7 kg

WARRANTY INFORMATION (Applies to vehicles covered under normal warranty)
--------------------
Warranty Type Code: A
Symptom Code: 82
Damage Code: 24
Part No. of Main Cause: R503 17 550
Operation No.: J0312XRX
Labor Hours: 4.8 Hrs.

------------------------------


Ouch..4.8 hrs to fix.. Hopefully my extended warranty covers this

EDIT:
welp, found some more info:
http://www.rotarypowered.com/faqsynchro.html

 

Get it checked out by a dealer. It's possible that you just have a bum tranny. It happens once in a while, even to the most reliable brands of car. However, it's also possible that you're just shifting too fast.

 

I've heard this a couple of times before, but what's the explanation?

 

take it to the dealer and have it looked at, my tranny in my P5 blew up at 50Kmiles, (i drive alot) my 4th gear shifting fork broke, causing 4th and rev. to both lock into gear and it exploded rev and took big chunks out of every other gear.

 

Resting your hand on the shifter can bend the shift forks and eventually cause the tranny to spontaneously pop out of gear.

 

You know, I've heard this from numerous people in virtually every make and model of car. I think it has something to do with the placement of fifth gear in a normal 5-speed: it's the farthest notch from the driver and the 4-5 shift involves moving the shifter the farthest of any upshift (tied with the 2-3 shift, usually.)

My suggestion has always been "Don't try to 'put' the car in 5th gear, just move the shifter from 4th forward and it will go." That's pretty much what I do. I think people have the most trouble when they overthink it. It's like getting the shanks in golf or something.

Additionally, Redline fluid will definitely make your car shift smoother.

Resting your hand on the shifter accelerates wear, like they said. If you're not shifting, both hands should be on the steering wheel.