Hello. I am obviously new here since I am posting on the Newbie Forum. I have had my RX8 for a little over three years now. It is an '09 R3 with about 80,000 miles on it. I am sorry if this post is a little redundant. However, I have searched several posts on one or the other and it seems that many people are getting them confused. I have read so many conflicting threads. I am hoping to get a little bit of clarification. I do not have much spare time at the moment so I am hoping someone can help me determine if it is the TOB or the PB. I know if it is the TOB, I at least have a little while but if it is the PB I better make time!

When the clutch pedal is pressed in even the slightest, I am getting a grinding sound. When I let out on the clutch all the way, the sound goes away. It has been going on for about a week now and the sound seems to be getting worse.

What are the signs of each going bad? Thanks for any help!!!

 

It doesn't matter both need to be replaced when you replace the clutch. And there is no confusion, it's pretty simple really. But what you are hearing is the throw out bearing.

 

Additionally, replacing each have nearly the exact same steps. Still have to drop the transmission to get to them. At 80,000 miles, your factory clutch is probably nearing the end of it's life anyway, so buying a complete clutch kit (BHR has a good price on the OEM clutch, which is the only clutch I can recommend) will get you the pressure plate, the clutch disc, the pilot bearing, and the release bearing.

 

I agree with 9k on the throw out, but yes get it taken care of ASAP and do the other things mentioned. Im going to recommend a light fly and stage 1 clutch while your there, i just installed them in mine and love the feel

 

9posts..... recommends stage 1 clutch.....

Oh yup.....

Stage 1 (HD) is a piece of ****. Its well documented here

 

Considering the Stage1 has a fairly good chance of failing early on you (I had one fail in 20,000 miles, another fail in 100 miles, same driving that got me 89k on the factory clutch), and no actual gain (even on price) over OEM, there is zero reason to actually get a Stage 1.

 

NNNNOOOOOOOOOO

Skip Stage 1, go with OEM style. Definitely do light flywheel.

The only mod I want back is the Stage 1 clutch.. Pedal is too heavy, rest of the car is light, clutch is like a mustang. My OEM clutch looked great after 100,000 miles when I finally took it apart. Reason for taking it apart was an exploding release bearing (throw out bearing). Reason for not putting it back in was the damage the exploding release bearing did to the pressure plate. There appear to be fitment issues as well with the Stage 1. Only benefit is you have a lot of torque (um, you don't, I don't, 98% of us don't).

@ bud... If yours worked, great, I am happy for you. I hate mine, it did not fit right, and it screwed up the overall balance at the track. I had to install washers under the pressure plate to make it work.

If it is making noise, you need to have it addressed. Mine made no noise, then make a horrible screeching sound and quit working. I got towed home.

 

Ya coming out of a 10spd freight liner for 10hrs a day, the extra firmness doesn't bother me, in fact I prefer it. Hope to get more than 20k out of it though. Regardless to the op if your mechanical in any way take $50 for bearings and a nice sat afternoon to do it yourself, it's not the easiest but by no means rocket science to change bearings.
There is a DIY for flywheel change on site to help you through dropping tranny process
For the record I just have the stage 1. No HD

 

The stage 1 is the same as HD. Depends on what country you are in

 

I bought the stage 1 for $360 not stage 1 HD for 415