Monster8

So, I had the problem of my shifter not wanting to go into gear. And occasionally with the clutch pedal to the floor the gears would grind as I shifted. Also I couldn't get into reverse with the engine running at all. I took it in expecting them to tighten the clutch pressure plate bolts (which I knew about thanks to my early days on the forum a year ago). Sure enough that's what they did, but 3 questions come to mind. Anyone know the answers?

1.) What do they do to make sure the bolts don't come loose again? The Mazda dude didn't know the answer. Or perhaps it was an installation issue and the bolts were simply too loose from the beginning?

2.) On the work description on the receipt it says they tried replacing the transmission fluid and when they opened the box a "metallic color and one plastic chunk" came out. They did not indicate that they replaced any broken parts or anything. Is my car broken? I suspect it was none too good for the car driving with the transmisison in the state it was in, but when I asked them if I'd caused any undue wear to the gears, they said "no".

3.) Before the repair, I would only have to move the clutch out a little bit to get the car going, but now the friction point is much further out on the clutch pedal's stroke. I liked it better the old way. Is that adjustable, or was it "wrong" all along due to the loose bolts?

Mr M

1) If the clutch is torqued to the correct specification with good bolts and it is seated properly on the flywheel, the bolts will not come undone. One of the above factors must have been out of spec to cause your initial problem.

2) Good question, I'm sure the technician who found the chunk asked himself the same question. Maybe you should ask him...

3) Yes, the clutch linkage is adjustable at the pedal. Don't get your hopes up about getting your normally operating clutch to operate like it was when it was broken though - it might be quicker just to ask the mechanic in question to loosen the bolts again...

Cheers.

Gomez

The metallic colour of the transmission oil is normal, they all have that. The chunk of plastic is unusual though. There is a white plastic "cup" that fits on the ball at the bottom of the shifter. It is common for these to wear on cars that have done quite a few miles. Maybe yours is broken. Do you notice any clunking or slop in your shifter when it's in gear?

Gomez.