Aspire manual transmission issues?

[TominMO]

I have noticed that old yellow has had a lot of problems with Aspire manual trannys. I'm curious if other people have noticed this too. I've had two manual Aspires, both with under 200K miles, and never had a problem. Is there something different about them compared to Festy trannies that makes them less reliable or long-lived?

[rickbz28]

I'll throw this out for for your consideration.I have a 600k plus 90 Festiva that I bought with just under 100k on it.Never had any trany problems with it what so ever.As a matter of fact it still has the same clutch now that it had when I bought it.Maybe I just got lucky.Who knows.Have also had a couple other Festys that got into the 300 range without any trans issues before I made the mistake of selling them.On the Aspire front I have a 95 with about 450k,not exactly sure because its on the third cluster.The original trans made it to 250k before it let out a big clunk and refused to go anymore.Wound up shearing all the teeth off the pinion shaft.Replaced that trans with one from a wrecked 95 I bought with 135k on the clock.It made it about another 125k before it started popping out of 4th when you let off the gas.Replaced that trans with a Festiva 5 speed from a salvage yard.Can't remember how many miles were on that trans when I put it in but I have put about 150k on it so far without issue.I have a 96 that at 230k went into reverse one day and would never come out!Replaced it with another Aspire trans that had about 120k on it and so far it has been fine but I have only put about 10k on it.I have another 96 that I bought with a bad trans that only had 96k on it.It also was locked in reverse.Replaced that trans with a jy unit with 98k on it and so far so good.But I have only put a couple thousand on it since.I also have another 95 with 56k original miles that I bought with a bad trans.Have only had it 8 years now and still haven't looked into it yet.LOL.Personally I think the clutch disc broke.I have A 95 SE with 220k that seems alright yet but I really haven't driven it since I towed it 225 miles home.Also have a 97 with 176k that seems alright but haven't driven yet because it had deer damage when I bought it and I have since repaired but need to get windshield replaced yet.Sorry for the VERY long read but just sharing my experiences.

[drddan]

I have heard about the Aspire trans being weaker. Does anyone know why? Were there changes made between Festy and Aspire years? Like changes in manufacturer's, or the metal used for the gears, or the heat treat of said gears?

Inquiring minds want to know!

[neanderpaul]

Manual Aspire transmissions are korean instead of japanese. Auto is still true mazda. Every time I parted out an aspire the 5 speed got snatched up with a quickness.

[nitrofarm]

Aspires are 200+ heavier but no provision was made,to make the tranny carry the extra load.Thats something no one ever mentions.I personally believe its just to much load for those tiny diff bearings. I don't really know if I buy into the "Korean" myth. Kia Rio's have a Korean made trans right? A Rio is basically a Decked out Aspire with a 1.5 and a G series Diff with F series gears. Kia obviously recognized that the tranny needed to be beefed up Thats my two cents

[TominMO]

I can't see why the extra 200-300 lbs would matter. Most of us drive with only one or two people in the car anyway, not loaded down. The real test would be putting Festy trannys in Aspires and see if they hold up better. I'll bet they do.

[drddan]

Sometimes a change in manufacturer, means a cheapness in cost, which sometimes translates to cheaper components. You get what you pay for?

[nitrofarm]

I can't see why the extra 200-300 lbs would matter. Most of us drive with only one or two people in the car anyway, not loaded down. The real test would be putting Festy trannys in Aspires and see if they hold up better. I'll bet they do.

I did Tom if you look at some of my older threads I even made custom Poly mounts. The problem with the Festy box is the final drive. On windy days on big hills it sucked constantly, I was constanly wanting to down shift into 4th. The Festy Trans didnt seem to last any longe or fail any sooner (just seemed like if I got one that wasnt beat it lasted longer). 200 lbs doesnt sound like much, but carry it around all day on your back... Seriously I dont know if thats the cause,Hell I had many Festy trans come apart in Festy's. One thing is for sure its a tiny diff with even smaller diff support bearings.The Rio trans swap is the best fix. But unless you have 323 gtx axles you are going to have to run Aspire LCA's. Thats one thing thats nice about the Aspire. You can run Rio Axles with the Rio Trans. And have heat/cooling system that actually moves air like most cars.
If someone can actually show proof that that, Inferior Bearings where used in the Aspire. Please post it,but till then its heresay. I didnt know Koreans made Inferior bearings? I thought that was the Chinese? Or are you guys saying that the Aspires got cheap JAPANESE bearings? Next time I toss an Aspire tranny. I'll tear it down and to see if I can see any PN's on the sides of the bearings.Anyone know if the Festy's where speced out with Timken's? Another thing I've theroized about the Aspire's eating tranny's is the longer axles. When the rubber engine/trans mounts get soft. The whole drive train shifts and you have a longer axle that puts side loading on the diff bearing. The Aspire tranny I have in my Aspire now is a Junk yard special. Its lasted the longest and I'm using a "Home Brewed" Poly front lower mount. Maybe its helping but for the record I cant honestly say. If anyone can get anything out of my ramblings is this. I'm pasionate about our little MAZDAKIAFORD econo-box cars.

[Movin]

All I can do is add to the statistics. I have not been inside a festiva transmission yet, but have repaired 2 aspire transmissions and just pulled another that broke in the pinion area. The axles are locked up but the engine would run and you could shift like normal into any gear. The aspires were not abused and did not have trailer hitches. Can't say the same for my Festivas. lol

[TominMO]

What years for the Rio trannys?

[jason_]

Taper bearings can take a lot. Look at the rear spindles.

[old yellow]

I gave up on Aspires... never drove an Auto Aspire tho so I don't know how it is compared to the Auto Festiva.... what are the differences between the two Auto trannys?

I would like to put a Festiva tranny in an aspire and see how long it goes for... I normally loose 2 and 4 in the tranny, and after I have replaced 5 already, I am probably going to look for a Festiva 5 speed or another Festiva in whole

[harpon]

Aspires are 200+ heavier but no provision was made,to make the tranny carry the extra load.Thats something no one ever mentions.I personally believe its just to much load for those tiny diff bearings. I don't really know if I buy into the "Korean" myth. Kia Rio's have a Korean made trans right? A Rio is basically a Decked out Aspire with a 1.5 and a G series Diff with F series gears. Kia obviously recognized that the tranny needed to be beefed up Thats my two cents

Where do you suppose tha extra 200 lbs comes from I can't think of where. The body is smaller. I never have a backseat in the car anyway.

"Diana" the 88 Festiva I bought in '98 eventually had over 275K- developed a strange thing with the shifter right toward the end, but never failed or had a clutch or tranny problem

No problems with the 96 Aspire- still in the 112Ks somewhere.

Some Asian guy buying one of my classical guitars seemed to think the auto trannys were off the road sooner, but I don't know otherwise- probably more expensive to fix.

[Advancedynamix]

This is all good info. I had thought about putting an aspire 5 speed in my 88 to replace the 4 speed, but now I'll just wait to do a Rio tranny down the road.

[TominMO]

Where do you suppose tha extra 200 lbs comes from I can't think of where. The body is smaller. I never have a backseat in the car anyway.

"Diana" the 88 Festiva I bought in '98 eventually had over 275K- developed a strange thing with the shifter right toward the end, but never failed or had a clutch or tranny problem

No problems with the 96 Aspire- still in the 112Ks somewhere.

Some Asian guy buying one of my classical guitars seemed to think the auto trannys were off the road sooner, but I don't know otherwise- probably more expensive to fix.

Aspires have thicker sheet metal, airbags, a heavier hatch, maybe other stuff. It adds up.