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Clutch Pedal - NHTSA

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Old 06-30-2010 | 07:52 AM
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Clutch Pedal - NHTSA

My clutch pedal bracket broke the other day. I have three questions:

1.) Has anyone had the same/similar issue when the clutch pedal bracket breaks and the pedal goes down, but only comes back up about two inches? I can still engage it, but the pedal doesn't come all the way back up. (Just so I can verify that it is the clutch pedal bracket that broke and not something else)

2.) Back in October of 2009 the NHTSA launched an investigation into these clutch pedals breaking, does anyone know if there was a decision (i.e. Can I get this fixed for basically nothing?)


3.) Other than the reinforced clutch pedal that I found on ebay for $300, does anyone else know where I can get one?
Old 06-30-2010 | 08:06 AM
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From: Burls On
Big discussion here

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=clutch+snap

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...clutch+bracket

Reinforcement bracket

http://raceroots.com/index.php/produ...t-bracket.html

Or PM Charles Hill (BHR) https://www.rx8club.com/private.php?do=newpm&u=5791


Search is your friend!

Last edited by DarkBrew; 06-30-2010 at 09:56 AM.
Old 06-30-2010 | 01:32 PM
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Old 06-30-2010 | 03:12 PM
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someone just post my thread again :-D

well, NHTSA is pretty busy with Toyota lately so I dont think they gonna be able to do anything about anybody else.
Old 07-02-2010 | 09:11 AM
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I know technically it's not under warranty, but I can see my dealership fix it on Mazda's time and money, that being said, most dealerships probably won't.

What did your dealership say exactly?
Old 07-02-2010 | 10:36 AM
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Originally Posted by nycgps
well, NHTSA is pretty busy with Toyota lately so I dont think they gonna be able to do anything about anybody else.
Considering how NHTSA responded to the Toyota problem in the first place, I'd be astounded if they wound up doing anything about this. Even without NHTSA's generally laid back attitude, there have been no deaths or injuries, and I don't think there have even been any accidents.

Ken
Old 07-02-2010 | 11:07 AM
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The investigation is still open and ongoing. Current info from NHTSA website
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) HAS RECEIVED 40 COMPLAINTS ALLEGING FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BRACKET. FIFTEEN OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THE BRACKET FAILURE OCCURRED AS THEY WERE DRIVING AND CREATED A VEHICLE DISABLEMENT AS THEY WERE UNABLE TO ENGAGE ANY GEAR. TWO COMPLAINANTS ALSO ALLEGED INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL OCCURRED WHEN APPLYING THE CLUTCH PEDAL AS A RESULT OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BRACKET FAILURE. ONE OF THESE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME TRAPPED BEHIND THE BRAKE PEDAL. A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BRACKET.
Imagine that- the NHTSA had the info on the NHTSA investigation.
Old 07-02-2010 | 12:44 PM
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Mazda should recall this. I think it would help image and bring back some old Mazda craftsmanship. This is embarassing.... LOL Kia rio has stronger bracket.
Old 07-04-2010 | 08:43 AM
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"Search is your friend." Thanks DarkBrew for pointing out the obvious.

Did anyone have the same symptom with my first question so I know it's the clutch bracket and not something else? I mean -- I can't seem to think of what else it might be, but before I waste a saturday fixing this, I just want to make sure.
Old 07-04-2010 | 10:36 AM
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If possible, grab a decent photo, probably in macro mode if your camera can do it, of the clutch pedal bracket area...
Old 07-04-2010 | 03:25 PM
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to verify if the bracket is broken, grab a flashlight and look under your dash at the pedal bracket. then, grab the bottom of the clutch pedal and flex it around side to side, you should be able to see if one of the feet attached to the backing plate is snapped off.
Old 07-12-2010 | 04:00 AM
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Mine's at the upper left corner weld, the Clutch Pedal Bracket broke last week. I couldn't get a clear view at first because my driver side door was locked from the inside and out due to a broken spring in the mechanism. I'm going to remove the bracket and have it welded tomorrow... By the way, I've always noticed the squeaking and thought it's only the spring re-tractor since I bought my 2004 RX-8 last year with 104,000 miles; hence, the rust build up on the upper section of the break. I still drove mine though my clutch only goes back half-way. It's jerked to the right and under the brake pedal, but once I nudge it back in place, the pedal re-tracts all the way evenly with the brake and accelerator pedals.
Old 07-12-2010 | 04:09 AM
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Charles Bundy
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Squeaked for a year, then finally broke last week...

Mine jerked to the right near the brake pedal. I can still engage the clutch but the pedal touches the floor. Once I nudge it back in alignment, the pedal re-tracts back in place as it would normally, then becomes wedge again if I use it. You and I may have the same problem, check the bracket corners where the four bolts are attached.



Originally Posted by Tyler2191
My clutch pedal bracket broke the other day. I have three questions:

1.) Has anyone had the same/similar issue when the clutch pedal bracket breaks and the pedal goes down, but only comes back up about two inches? I can still engage it, but the pedal doesn't come all the way back up. (Just so I can verify that it is the clutch pedal bracket that broke and not something else)

2.) Back in October of 2009 the NHTSA launched an investigation into these clutch pedals breaking, does anyone know if there was a decision (i.e. Can I get this fixed for basically nothing?)


3.) Other than the reinforced clutch pedal that I found on ebay for $300, does anyone else know where I can get one?
Old 07-20-2010 | 07:44 PM
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OK, so I finally got and installed my new reinforced clutch pedal except now ... I turn the key and my car doesn't turn over. I have lights radio and everything, but it doesn't seem to want to even crank. Any ideas what that could be other than the starter and the battery?

One other question pertaining to this. I installed the new clutch pedal and it's been so long since I've sat in my car that I don't remember if I should be able to move my shifter into various gears without have the pedal down when the car is off.

Can someone tell me if they're able to move the shifter into various gears while the car is off without the clutch engaged? I hope they can otherwise something went wrong with my installation. Maybe that will help explain why when I turn the key I don't get a crank.
Old 07-20-2010 | 07:50 PM
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I think you may have forgot to connect your clutch pedal switch. the engine wont start if its disconnected. And yes, you can move the shifter into different gears when the car is off...
Old 07-20-2010 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Tyler2191
OK, so I finally got and installed my new reinforced clutch pedal except now ... I turn the key and my car doesn't turn over. I have lights radio and everything, but it doesn't seem to want to even crank. Any ideas what that could be other than the starter and the battery?

One other question pertaining to this. I installed the new clutch pedal and it's been so long since I've sat in my car that I don't remember if I should be able to move my shifter into various gears without have the pedal down when the car is off.

Can someone tell me if they're able to move the shifter into various gears while the car is off without the clutch engaged? I hope they can otherwise something went wrong with my installation. Maybe that will help explain why when I turn the key I don't get a crank.
make sure the clutch cut switch is installed correctly and connected.

and yes, you can make gears around when your car is off
Old 07-21-2010 | 06:40 AM
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Charles Bundy
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Yeah, I was told the the clutch switch could be adjusted, however, I just secured and closed the circuit of the switch so I don't have to push the clutch pedal if I start the car.
Old 07-21-2010 | 08:35 AM
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^..............all you had to do was pull up on the plunger and reset the height.

Tyler, see you other thread. I put a pic in there for ya!
Old 07-22-2010 | 08:41 AM
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Thanks guys. It turns out the sensor wasn't reaching the clutch pedal. I tried to pull the sensor out but it wouldn't come. After speaking with someone else they told me to pull harder, that it won't break. After I stopped being a p*ssy I pulled it out far enough to reach.

One final question and then this thread can close.

The clutch is now grabbing high, how do I adjust that?
Old 07-22-2010 | 11:58 AM
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Charles Bundy
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Usse this link: Clutch Pedal Adjustment

Last edited by Grace_Excel; 07-22-2010 at 11:59 AM. Reason: Added a link
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