Some time back (long story) I bought a 6 speed some jackwagon took apart and (badly) put back together. Ever since it's leaked like a siv. While my motor is out I decided to try and clean it up and figure out why it's leaking.

First thing I discovered is the turret tower didn't have any gasket material between the tailshaft and the turret assembly. Removed that to put gasket material on, discovered the shifter control rod end was loose. Torqued the bolt down to spec, RTV'd the shifter turret back on. Looking over the oil covering the transmission I discovered a hole at the top which had nothing in it?!




Pulled up the diagram and it's a "Control Rod support" (part number 17 on the diagram) bolt that is missing. All three of these items explain why it shifts like ****, is VERY sloppy, there is over-travel on the shifter and leaks like crazy.


Found the mazda part number, 17-337 and it's $1.32 from mazda. Here's my question and why I'm posting: Does anyone have a 6 speed out of the car who would be willing to pull that bolt and tell me about it? I can order one from mazda but I don't have time. They're never open when I'm off work and this thing has to go back in the car soon, I don't want to put off installing it waiting for a bolt. Is this something I could buy at the hardware store? There's likely something special about it so obviously this is a long shot....


On another note, this is another perfect example of me trying to cut corners and I shouldn't even be trying this.....

 

I wouldn't ever pull an unknown bolt out of a transmission that I wasn't trying to disassemble.

 

Well, Really, my hope is someone has one laying around that's blown up or needs to be rebuilt / already torn apart..

 

Can you shine a flash light in there and see anything? Sounds like based off the name it supports the shaft connected to the shifter lol. Maybe related to the bolt on top near it.

 

I can see the shift control shaft which runs along the top. The hole is smooth and no threads so I assume the bolt threads are on the passenger side of the case. Best I can tell from the shop manual and exploded diagram, it supports the shifter control rod.

I gave in during my lunch break, called the dealer and ordered one. I'll take a day off work Monday to pick it up. Shop manual says to install that bolt before installing the tail housing, hopefully that'll go in with everything together.... I'm NOT taking that thing apart.

 

Yes you will