Clutch Issue
07-05-2017 | 01:42 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Registered
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 8
From: Ann Arbor
Clutch Issue
A very puzzling issue with my 2004 rx8, I am not that knowledgeable on cars so maybe the answer to this is very obvious.
When my rx8 is on I cannot change gears. Or its very hard (I am pressing down on the clutch) when its off I can switch gears.
So I know this is either a clutch or transmission issue. I turn the car of switch to 1st start the car and I can drive the car in 1st but I cannot switch gears even when pressing the clutch.
I think that somehow my peddle isn't actual disengaging the clutch which is why I can't switch gears etc.
Am I correct in my line of thinking? How does something like this even happen? How do u prevent it and most important how hard is it to fix it?
When I was first unable to drive the car I assumed it was a burned out clutch or transmission but it seems like they could be still healthy and that the true perpetrator is somehow the peddle not actually disengaging the clutch.
Thanks.
When my rx8 is on I cannot change gears. Or its very hard (I am pressing down on the clutch) when its off I can switch gears.
So I know this is either a clutch or transmission issue. I turn the car of switch to 1st start the car and I can drive the car in 1st but I cannot switch gears even when pressing the clutch.
I think that somehow my peddle isn't actual disengaging the clutch which is why I can't switch gears etc.
Am I correct in my line of thinking? How does something like this even happen? How do u prevent it and most important how hard is it to fix it?
When I was first unable to drive the car I assumed it was a burned out clutch or transmission but it seems like they could be still healthy and that the true perpetrator is somehow the peddle not actually disengaging the clutch.
Thanks.
07-05-2017 | 04:38 AM
#2
Search for clutch pedal adjustment. There is a procedure to set how high in the pedal travel the friction point is. If it's too low, you're never fully disengaging the clutch.
The other thing is you might need to bleed the clutch hydraulics. It's pretty straightforward, but you'll need a buddy to press the pedal while you open and close the bleed screw. By memory it's an 8mm behind the oil filter at the back of the engine. Once again, search for the exact procedure.
I sort of assume this was already done, but check that the pedal isn't physically broken or loose. There were issues with early RX8s where the clutch pedal would snap off its mount.
The other thing is you might need to bleed the clutch hydraulics. It's pretty straightforward, but you'll need a buddy to press the pedal while you open and close the bleed screw. By memory it's an 8mm behind the oil filter at the back of the engine. Once again, search for the exact procedure.
I sort of assume this was already done, but check that the pedal isn't physically broken or loose. There were issues with early RX8s where the clutch pedal would snap off its mount.
07-05-2017 | 08:00 AM
#3
Water Foul
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 262
From: Republic of Texas
The first thing I would do is have the clutch bled, as that is the most likely cause of your troubles.
Also inspect your pedal to make sure there are no problems with it. As Loki said, there were problems with many of them in the early model years.
Another potential problem area is the release bearing. Some of them occasionally fail catastrophically, which prevents disengagement. Was your clutch noisy in the recent past?
You can try adjusting your clutch pedal, but clutches usually don't fall out of adjustment.
Also inspect your pedal to make sure there are no problems with it. As Loki said, there were problems with many of them in the early model years.
Another potential problem area is the release bearing. Some of them occasionally fail catastrophically, which prevents disengagement. Was your clutch noisy in the recent past?
You can try adjusting your clutch pedal, but clutches usually don't fall out of adjustment.