Help!
05-17-2007, 11:16 PM
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Help!
Hey guys and gals,
I have a 2005 Rx-8 6spd. As of last week i begain to hear a slight chirping from underneath the car that would speed up and slow down along with the throttle.
I took it into the dealer and they said it was the THROWOUT BEARING but they were too backed up to find out for sure. They continued to to inform me that the throwout bearing was part of the clutch mechanism and that it was not covered by the warranty, since it was considered a wear and tear item and would cost $1,500 or more!!!! They also told me if I took it elsewhere to fix it for less money, it would void the warranty all together. Yikes!
Please help out with any advice or suggestions. I love this car so much, but I can't afford this Ferrari priced repair. Let alone any other surprise repair in this price range.
The car which I can barley afford on its own only has 16,000 miles on it.
It is not a daily driver and I have only put 1,700 miles on it since I bought it used from a Mazda dealer this December.
I have had fun with the car but never really abused it. I have been driving stick shifts since I started driving 10 years ago.In fact my 96 honda civic has 190,000 miles on the same clutch. So, I am fairly certian it wasn't my driving style that caused this.
So, now that you know the facts. Here are my questions.
1. How major is this part and is it critical that I replace it?
2. Is it safe for the rest of the transmission if i continue to drive it?
3. Is this normal for such a new car to have such a major clutch problem?
4. What is the average clutch life on an RX-8?
5. Is there anything that can be done to make the dealer cover this repair?
6. Is this car the kind needs insanely pricey and regular wear and tear maintiance such as this?
7. Can I borrow $1500? ( just kidding)
Thank you all so much for your help and advice. I really appreciate it.
Sorry for being long winded.
Best
Hank
I have a 2005 Rx-8 6spd. As of last week i begain to hear a slight chirping from underneath the car that would speed up and slow down along with the throttle.
I took it into the dealer and they said it was the THROWOUT BEARING but they were too backed up to find out for sure. They continued to to inform me that the throwout bearing was part of the clutch mechanism and that it was not covered by the warranty, since it was considered a wear and tear item and would cost $1,500 or more!!!! They also told me if I took it elsewhere to fix it for less money, it would void the warranty all together. Yikes!
Please help out with any advice or suggestions. I love this car so much, but I can't afford this Ferrari priced repair. Let alone any other surprise repair in this price range.
The car which I can barley afford on its own only has 16,000 miles on it.
It is not a daily driver and I have only put 1,700 miles on it since I bought it used from a Mazda dealer this December.
I have had fun with the car but never really abused it. I have been driving stick shifts since I started driving 10 years ago.In fact my 96 honda civic has 190,000 miles on the same clutch. So, I am fairly certian it wasn't my driving style that caused this.
So, now that you know the facts. Here are my questions.
1. How major is this part and is it critical that I replace it?
2. Is it safe for the rest of the transmission if i continue to drive it?
3. Is this normal for such a new car to have such a major clutch problem?
4. What is the average clutch life on an RX-8?
5. Is there anything that can be done to make the dealer cover this repair?
6. Is this car the kind needs insanely pricey and regular wear and tear maintiance such as this?
7. Can I borrow $1500? ( just kidding)
Thank you all so much for your help and advice. I really appreciate it.
Sorry for being long winded.
Best
Hank
05-17-2007, 11:23 PM
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If you have another Mazda dealer near you, or within driving distance, take it there for a second opinion (of course DO NOT mention you already have 1 opinion).
If they were too backed up to confirm their initial diagnosis, in reality, it could be anything.
The best of luck to you,
Ed
If they were too backed up to confirm their initial diagnosis, in reality, it could be anything.
The best of luck to you,
Ed
05-17-2007, 11:27 PM
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05-17-2007, 11:38 PM
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1. Its a cheap part, but critical to proper clutch function.
2. Safe, for the clutch, no.
3. No, previous driver must not have known how to properly drive a manual. Many members here go 50K + miles on the original clutch. I have 30K on mine and I drive it like I stole it most of the time.
4. Depends on the driver. See # 3
5. Was it a certified used car? If so I would go in raising hell.
6. The part is not expensive, its the labor.
7. Sorry, cant help there?
If I were you I'd take it somewhere else for a second opinion since they were "too busy" to make a definitive diagnosis of the problem.
Also, Mazda cant void your warranty for not having it done at the the dealership, thats the cornerstone of the Magnusson-Moss Act. You can have it done at any shop you choose. Sounds as though they were trying to scare you into getting it fixed now.
2. Safe, for the clutch, no.
3. No, previous driver must not have known how to properly drive a manual. Many members here go 50K + miles on the original clutch. I have 30K on mine and I drive it like I stole it most of the time.
4. Depends on the driver. See # 3
5. Was it a certified used car? If so I would go in raising hell.
6. The part is not expensive, its the labor.
7. Sorry, cant help there?
If I were you I'd take it somewhere else for a second opinion since they were "too busy" to make a definitive diagnosis of the problem.
Also, Mazda cant void your warranty for not having it done at the the dealership, thats the cornerstone of the Magnusson-Moss Act. You can have it done at any shop you choose. Sounds as though they were trying to scare you into getting it fixed now.
05-17-2007, 11:50 PM
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You could do a test yourself.
Start your car, leave the trans in neutral. Dont engage the clutch (push down on pedal), just push enough to get past the pedal free play. If there is a noise (rattle, squeek, etc) the T/O bearing is bad. No noise and it probably is still ok.
Im not sure, but I dont think a sound while accel/decel is usually a sign of a T/O bearing. T/O bearing that is bad will usually only make a sound while engaging the clutch, unless of course you ride your clutch all the time while driving.
An inner CV joint will make a noise while under accel/decel though (I believe).
Start your car, leave the trans in neutral. Dont engage the clutch (push down on pedal), just push enough to get past the pedal free play. If there is a noise (rattle, squeek, etc) the T/O bearing is bad. No noise and it probably is still ok.
Im not sure, but I dont think a sound while accel/decel is usually a sign of a T/O bearing. T/O bearing that is bad will usually only make a sound while engaging the clutch, unless of course you ride your clutch all the time while driving.
An inner CV joint will make a noise while under accel/decel though (I believe).
05-17-2007, 11:55 PM
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For most things you DO NOT have to have a Mazda dealer do warranty work. It is a common misconception. My father is an ASE certified master auto tech and runs a Napa auto care center. He has done warranty work on many vehicles. There are some warranties that must be honored by a Mazda authorized dealer, but that is not true 100% of the time. 