I have been an RX-8 owner since 04 I have had two so far and both have had the exact same issues, However, on one issue I can not seem to fine more then one other person who is noticing it. Every time I ask the dealer techs to investigate it they come back telling me that it doesn’t happen when they drive the car. I know something it up when I offer to have them ride with me so I can point it out and they decline. But I am at a loss to fix it. Still, I find it in every 8 I have driven so far.
So, I am issuing a challenge to all 8 drivers who read this post to test their 8’s and see if they find they experience the same issue. It is a simple test and doesn’t hurt your 8 in any way. Find an area like an empty parking lot. From a standstill cut the wheel all the way to the right and make a U turn at 10,15 and then 20 mph. Then, repeat the test in the opposite direction. If your 8 is like every 8 I have driven, and at least one that I have not, you will find no problem with your right hand U turn. However I am betting that You too will notice that the left hand U turn engages the stability control and the right side front tire feels like it is binding against the inner wheel well. Don’t worry, it is not. This is the issue I have been trying to address from the first time I noticed it in 04.
If you find that you have this issue going both ways then your 8 probably needs an alignment. I find that as the alignment goes out it magnifies the issue and that a new alignment only minimizes its occurrence. If you want to leant more about this issue and what has already been learned I have a post;
RX8Club.com > Series I Tech & Performance > Trouble Shooting > Wheel Binding on left turns.
We can use all the help we can get on this so if you take the challenge and find your 8 is the same as ours then let us know what you think.
Thanks

 

may sound stupid but have you checked to see if the bolts that hold teh AC compressor on are tightened all the way. Another member had this issues and come to find out when they replaced his engine they never tightened the bolts so they slid out half way and interfered with the steering knuckle.

 

[QUOTE=9krpmrx8;3375998]may sound stupid but have you checked to see if the bolts that hold teh AC compressor on are tightened all the way. Another member had this issues and come to find out when they replaced his engine they never tightened the bolts so they slid out half way and interfered with the steering knuckle.[QUOTE]

I can’t help by wonder why that would activate the stability control system. However it is worth a look-see and I appreciate your help, thank You.
My 8 is having it’s annual tune up this Saturday so I'll check it out then and get back to you.
By the way, have you taken the challenge?

 

My stability control does kick in sometimes on mid-speed tight right hand turns (like turning into a parking lot) when there is absolutely no slipping of the wheels. Not sure why. But if I turn off the DSC it never happens. I figure a sensor is a bit off or something.

 

I've got an '07 sport, and mine does something like what you are explaining, but only in chilly weather *60F and below..* I mention Sport, because I am sure I don't have any Active Stability..

I crank the wheel to the left, and I turn around after work. No matter the speed *I'm always going 5 MPH or lower...* and the steering wheel will shake with every revolution of the rotor, along with a loud "CLUNK" noise. I've still yet to record it, and I NEED to. It's strange. Even after the new(er) tires, it did the same thing.

 

sounds exactly like what I get sometimes. I noticed it a lot when I stop to make the left turn at an intersection, and right when I am turning left and adding throttle, i get THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP. It's really weird.

HOWEVER - it hasn't happened recently, so I don't know.

 

Mine doesn't do it once I start moving. Only from when I first start her up.

 

I have never noticed this.

 

I do U turns all the time at the end of my street (dead end street) and I ALWAYS hear and feel this happening on left turns. Never really stopped to think about it as I always thought it was the Limited Slip Differential.

 

Well, I wasn't able to get the tune up done today but I did check out the streeting knuckle. No loose bolts in the way.



I find I don't get it when I turn of mine as well. Sill, it's not like the switch is exatly user friendly and some times I still want it on when turning,, thers got to be a fix.


I don't get any of the clunking that is mentioned by some of you who have responded. I would be more disturbed with those symtoms then I am with the ones I do have. I would take those clunking and shaking problems straight to the dealer.

 

06 GT 50 degrees and no light on any u-turns. What do I win?

 

Just a question to AJ; did you disengage your stability control system? ,,, cause that would be cheeting and we would have to sent our mummys after U!

I have checked for loose bolts and anything elce suggested or that I could think of. the only thing that woked is disengageing the electronic stability control system completely. So I have come to the conclusion that this is a flaw in the design and is almost a non-issue if you keep your alignment correct. however since the DSC on/off switch is not in a user friendly position the only other option is to move it to the shifter.
thanks for all the help on this. it is appreciated.

Angelo