5th/reverse cam lockout?

[aerostick]

I've got a mazda 5-speed overdrive trans that won't go into 5th at all and won't go all the way or stay in reverse.

It happened when I tried downshifting at 45mph from 5th to 4th and banged it two or three times into reverse before finding the right slot. A minute later when I tried to go back up to 5th it wouldn't go in at all. I can hold it partially in reverse with a light load, but if I let the clutch out all the way it will kick out.

The shop manual does not go into detail about how the 5th/reverse lockout cam is supposed to work or what position it should be in when in neutral. With the shifter out I can see that the rails are all centered properly for neutral and I can operate 1-2 and 3-4 with a screwdriver. I can get it into reverse with a screwdriver, but it won't budge in the 5th direction.

It was not difficult at all getting it into reverse or 5th before the downshifting incident.

Anybody know if this can be fixed without dropping the trans? (I hate disconnecting the hydraulic clutch!)

[95GT]

Well i don't know how your tranny exactly works. But, some have one shift fork for 5th and reverse. You might have bent or binded the shift fork when you slammed into reverse. I hope this might put you in the right direction. And if this is the problem, you will have to drop the tranny, sorry man.

[aerostick]

Originally Posted by 95GT

Well i don't know how your tranny exactly works. But, some have one shift fork for 5th and reverse. You might have bent or binded the shift fork when you slammed into reverse. I hope this might put you in the right direction. And if this is the problem, you will have to drop the tranny, sorry man.

I found the problem and I didn't have to drop the tranny. I smeared the ends of the teeth on the 5th/reverse syncro sleeve so the hub couldn't move through it.

Fortunately, all the 5th/reverse stuff is accessable when you remove the rear extension housing. Even the 5th/reverse fork can be replaced. Mine was fine. It cost me 40 bucks to fix and it works great now.

To prevent this from happening again I might have to drop the trans and take the top cover off. The lockout cam that is supposed to prevent you from going 5th to reverse is weak I think. Maybe a spring needs replacing.