Okay, I swapped my clutch because the dealer said it needed to get replaced -- after a lot of headache I just gave in, and spent $1000 between parts and labor for getting the Racing Beat Sport clutch installed. My initial complaint, when bringing the car into the dealer, was that the clutch was VERY stiff.

It's STILL very stiff. I know the sport clutch might make it a bit more stiff than stock, but THIS stiff?? No way. It's like crushing a rock with my foot every time I have to push the clutch down. Even my friend who owns an RX-8 was AMAZED at how heavy it was. I drove his car, and it feels MUCH MUCH MUCH lighter than my clutch.

What could the problem be? Would it be covered under warranty? What can I yell at my dealer for?

Any help is appreciated. After a long trip back from Washington DC, my left leg ACHES, and anything to improve that would be appreciated

 

Check the clutch master & clutch slave cylinder. How did the shift fork/pressure plate look when it was out (did they show you)?

 

Would these be under warranty?

 

Did they show you the old parts?

Are you sure they replaced the clutch?

 

They definately replaced it, because it engages a LOT faster than it used to... just as RB said it would. The clutch pedal however, is still EXTREMMMLY stiff! I need help!

 

I'd check with Racing Beat to see if they could give me some info on how much pedal force should be required with their clutch. That should give you some leverage (sorry) with the mechanics. Since you started out with a stiff oem clutch it seems likely there is some underlying problem, perhaps in the hydraulics.

My wife before we married had a Ford Escort which had a unbelievably stiff clutch. I kept telling her something was very wrong with it but she said she'd bought it new and it had always been like that. I said, then there had always been something very wrong with it. She ignored me until it died at 40,000 miles or so. When the mechanic replaced it he discovered a wrong part -- from a truck. The thing had taken so much force to operate that the supports for the driver's seat had actually cracked on the left side.

Don't live with something that's obviously wrong. Unfortunately, if your service guys are ********* they've got wiggle room since it's a non-stock part now and they can blame it on the RB clutch. "yeah, you gotta expect that with a performance clutch", etc... That's why some quantitative info from RB will help.

 

take it back and have them fix it.

 

There's a big difference between a new clutch on the 8's. They move like butter.
I agree with Nubo sounds like one of the components is still wrong.

 

Did you replace your brake fluid and bleed the clutch?

 

Why do I need to replace brake fluid for the clutch? *confused*

 

because the clutch master cylinder uses brake fluid. But i dont see how replacing the fluid would make anything better. Sounds like they messed something up on the instal. Parts and labor should be warentyed for atleast a year. Take it back and tell them to fix it. You payed good money to get that fixed and the mechanic made a premium. Let them figure it out and fix it. And tell them you dont want it back until its fixed.

 

I bought mine with 5000 miles on it and the clutch is superstiff.
My leg hurts after sitting in stop and go traffic.
I drove a new RX8 and it was superslick. EASY!
I hope somebody comes up with a solution.
I thought, maybe all the early 2004 were stiff?
I'm glad I'm not the only 1 with this problem.
I'll mention it again to my dealer, see what he says.