Recommend gearbox turret oil. Gear shift very stiff and reluctant to engage after winter layup.
Any oil will do but it’s probably your slave cylinder needs a little lube or seized with lack of use.
Took the 5 out this morning for the first after winter layup. While the engine was on tickover selecting any gear was very difficult. While on a very short run the gear change was fine but once home and ticking over again the problem reappeared which makes me think the gearbox turret has dried out. Slave and master cylinders are relatively new so I don’t think those are the problem. Spanner’s out in the morning! 1991 Mk 1.
I came across these blogs from MX5parts which might be of help:
Short-Shift Feel on Mazda Miata MX-5: Turret Oil, Bushes & Boots
Clutch Hydraulics on Mazda MX-5/Miata: Master, Slave & Hose Refresh
Those symptoms sound more like clutch drag than the gear selector. If the turret was stiff, it would feel the same whether moving or not.
Does the gear shift feel normal with the engine off?
Yes, all gears can be selected with the ignition off.
That definitely sounds like clutch drag then.
It could be that the system hasn’t been fully bled. When the engine is running, is it easier to select gears if you pump the clutch pedal rapidly a few times?
I’m in the middle of replacing the turret oil on my 25AE NC.
I don’t have any gearbox or transmission oil, but I do have some Mobil 1 (5W-40).
Given that this area is not subject to any high forces or temperature, can I assume that this oil will be OK to use?
Yes, it’s just for lubrication, doesn’t need a gear oil.
NCs appear to have been delivered with excess play in the clutch pedal. It is possible to adjust the free play to something more reasonsble, which really helps the clutch drag.
If you could see what you are doing and get two hands in there, it would be a simple job.
However you can’t see what you are doing and you can’t get both hands in there l, so it’s a bit of a faff