As some on here might remember, I have 2016 ND Launch Edition. I don't drive it that much but it's my fun road car as it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. As a result it doesn't have too many miles on it (~8000) but it had a rather scracthy/clunky gearbox and like a lot of early ND owners I was at the same time hoping that it would get worse (so I could get the upgraded box under warranty) and hoping it wouldn't blow up on me.
Well, had my preferred mechanic change the gearbox oil as part of the annual service I had done on the car. He reported back that he was surprised how beat up the gearbox oil was after less than 8k. Replacing it with Redline MTL did wonders for the shift quality - it still feels somewhat reluctant to go into 2nd and 3rd on upshifts (I h&t on downshifts so I usually don't notice any issues), but it almost feels like a Miata gearbox now.
Yeah, I know, oil thread...
We've actually sent samples from a couple of ND gearboxes (6k and 11k) back to Mazda R&D, as they've been coming out with a lot of precipitate. Turns out it's probably moly. Mazda puts a bunch in the 'box for lubrication on the initial startup. Same with the engine.
Miata gearboxes have always loved MTL, that's nothing new :)
In reply to Keith Tanner :
Interesting, that might explain why the gearbox oil that came out of the box was rather dark.
RX8 gearboxes like MTL, too. I'm a big fan of "MTL/MT90 all gearboxes" (within reason).
T.J.
MegaDork
9/6/17 12:59 p.m.
I don't know if MTL is good in all boxes....
In reply to T.J. :
Hence the "within reason" disclaimer and the mention of MT90.
I know of at least one that has let go at the Solo II nationals.
IIRC there are several people on m.net that had gearbox failures also.
Yes, the early ND gearbox problem is documented. The car's going to be carrying that around on its back for the next 25 years, like the early 1.6 crank nose. If you're a smart autocrosser driving an early ND at the National level, you have a spare in the trailer and are hopefully waiting for your 2017 trans.
