So...what's the deal exactly with MNAO and the brake pad situation?

My dealer just told me that I couldn't get my pads replaced after 12k miles for making noise unless there was a serious mechanical defect with them due to Mazda policy. I referred him to the TSB (which was already applied, btw) that was supposed to address the problem, but he said that only applied to cars under 12k miles. I'm at 20k.

Wtf is going on? I'm supposed to continue with life happy that I sound like a damned metro bus when I hit the brakes?

It's the EXACT same problem I took it in at 12k miles for, and it's doing it again 8k miles later...

 

The policy is correct and you should have kept the original pads. Technically there is no defect. The replacement pads are a different compound which is supposed to lessen the brake noise, slightly. Whate really wierd is I have 30k miles on my RX8 and have never had brake noise issues.

 

I change my pads 3 times. So I think it really depends on the dealership

First change @ 4 K miles

Second I think around 9 K ?

Thrid time (newest TSB with gease) maybe about 14K ?

 

How do you figure the policy is correct?Can you guide me to the Mazda document?I work at a Mazda dealership and have access.

 

Same thing happened to me, although it varied between the service managers. The day before one of two told me sure, come in later and we'll have your brakes replaced under warranty. I came in to have the other one tell that the TSB is to 12k. Meh.

 

Here is the TSB...
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...01-06-1568.pdf

At the very end of the TSB, it states to refer to the SRT microfiche for warranty term information. My guess would be that the term is 12k miles.

 

replace the damn pads yourself... there a re plenty of choices out there if you do not like the pads from Mazda

a TSB is not going to give you a lifetime of free brake pads, and a simple change in driving habits could probably lessen any squealing

 

NoTears316 is correct....

 

try another dealership. I've had mine replaced 3 times! The last time I had over 20,000 miles.

 

No squealing in 16K miles.

 

Mine were changed last Saturday to the new pads. No more squeeks. If you had them changed once at 12K to the new pads that is all you should ask for. It does sound like you just expectr new pads for life. Mine only had 4500 miles on her when changed.

 

my 04 has 32,000 miles and they are fixing the recall!! my rear right brake broke and was only touching part of the dise, i hate the sound it made so im hoping it be better when i get it back

 

You guys act like I'm just trying to milk wear parts based off the TSB.

This implies two things:

1) I'm a ***** and trying to exploit Mazda for parts I don't deserve.
2) Brake pad wear is NORMALLY supposed to result in shrieking when lightly applying breaks after only 12k miles and again after 8k miles.

For obvious reasons, I disagree with 1. Based on past experience with cars and the maintenance schedule surrounding brakes, I disagree with 2. Unless there's something "magical" about these brakes, why should I just accept the fact that they wear and/or fail about 400% faster than normal??

The TSB is out for a reason. It's a statement that says "Ok, we know something is wrong here, and here's a solution". My point is, the solution didn't work. At all. In fact, looking at mileage, they performed worse than the original stock pads did (12k vs 8k).

 

no, i think it implies

3) You bought a car with aggressive pads that make it the best stopping japanese car ever (documented) and are not willing to put up with the slight downside of performance brakes which is a tendancy to glaze over and create a squeal...

so you are left with 2 options..
1) sell the car and buy something more along the lines of a Honda Accord
2) Since you do not like Mazda's choice in brake pad compounds, you can go and buy one of the wide arrays of aftermarket brake pads that exist for the car

or there is always the other option...
You can drive around the block every once in a while dragging the brakes at varying amounts which will scuff them up enough to stop the squealing for awhile and repeat as necessary - because there is physically nothing wrong with the pads and they are not worn out

 

Wow, was that ever uncalled for.

The RX8 is supposed to be a practical car AND a sports car. For me, this car is a daily driver, not a weekend track vehicle. So, the fact I don't enjoy my car screeching like a damned dump truck when in traffic somehow means I don't DESERVE the RX8 and I should instead by a boring sedan.

Truly, your insight and tolerance for other owners of the RX8 besides your all-knowing-self is amazing.

Despite your best efforts, you actually did hit on my next point which was going to be a discussion on recommended aftermarket brake pads for the car, but I've raised that issue in the appropriate forum.

 

just pointing out the obvious... not meant to be hateful, but for the record you bought Mazda's flagship sportscar with a completely impractical engine


and satisfied brakes have some cheap pads that won't stop as good but will be quiet