Most of us remember months ago when a few reports of clutch pressure plate bolts were incorrectly torqued from the factory. This didnt seem to affect too many people......no TSB was issued also.

I passed it off as an isolated occurance to a few people followed by the usual internet hysteria. Then I havent heard of anyone in quite some time with this problem.

Well guess what....

I noticed that my clutch engagement point went from the middle of the pedal range...to near the floor. I could not for the life of me come up with a logical reason for the sudden change. I brought it to the dealer. I watched as the tech stalled it as he pulled it from its parking space. He drove it around the building to feel the clutch action.

The next thing I know, the service writer tells me the clutch is "worn out".....he then continues to basically blame it on my driving habits. I would not have that......a semi heated discussion ensued.... blah ..blah. He would not be convinced it was anything other than my error. He said " dont worry though...Mazda will replace it under warranty as a one time thing since it has less than 12k miles". I said "well great.....because its defective". I left after that.

He calls my cell phone a few hours later and tells me he called the tech line and they told him my symptoms matched the loose clutch cover (pressure plate) problem exactly. I really didnt expect it to be that.

Speed Racer drove my car over the weekend and also noted that the clutch had a "sharp" engagement point. This was a great description, and was directly as a result from the loose pressure plate.

Basically...when your pressure plate is able to move due to loose bolts, it will slide foreward as you depress the clutch. This greatly reduces the "spring action" the pressure plate should give you because the entire assembly is moving. The clutch was engaged or not.....very little inbetween.

The starter needs to be removed to expose the flywheel and clutch cover. My bolts were backed out.

The tech line person said they were never torqued properly from the factory. So anyone with a wierd clutch feel....or an engagment point that moves suddendly, have your bolts checked.
As for how it is now....like a different clutch. Perfect feel

 

So did they change their tune when you picked up your car? I hope that they apologized for the accusations of abusing your clutch. Anyways I'm glad that you got things sorted out.

 

Its the service writer who had the initial attitude. The tech is always very polite and does good work. They were actually very good about it after they found the problem. I'm jus happy they were not close minded enough to call tech support as ask about it. They seemed to be so sure it was an abused clutch at first....but they called anyway. FYI the dealer had a printout from Mazda. They said it was a draft of a TSB that will soon be issued for this problem.

 

I've had many issues with service writers/managers with my RX-8 ignoring issues and blaming me for the problems. This is at 2 different dealers.

1) Said that I shouldn't go around corners so fast because that's causing my oil light to come on. Now there's a TSB.
2) Said that the hard starting and flooding is common to rotaries. That may be true but it shouldn't be this bad. Now there's a TSB.
2) Another said that I flooded the car by stepping on the gas pedal accidentally when turning the ignition. Huh?
4) Just laughed when I complained about the cup holders becoming too hot. Now there's a MRI on the missing insulation in the center console.
5) Implied that the damage to my bumper was there before service and that they didn't do it. Turned out the car wash guy probably damaged it. The owner/mechanic said it wasn't there when he worked on the car and fixed it.
6) Said that the random misfire wasn't anything to worry about and that there's nothing wrong with the car. Now there are multiple explainations for this.

I do have to say, though, that everything is now fixed and the RX-8 is a great car to drive and looks awesome.

 

I'd like to know where you guys are bringing your 8'sto receive such crappy service? I bought my 8 from Talarico's in Manchester, NH and have never had a problem with them working on my 8. Considering I have close ties with them being your Miata Club sponsor, they have never done me wrong. Maybe a dealer change would help diagnose and fix the issue in a more timely manner? Just my .00000002 :D

 

Hey Gyro, which dealer did you went to for the problem? You can PM me if you don't want to disclose it in public. I haven't taken in my '8 to any place for service yet and would to have some recommendations.

 

there is a lesson to be learned here:

drive the **** out of your car for the first 11k so you kill the clutch, then get a new one

 

or kill the diff...hahah

 

Right were you bought yours......128 Mazda in Wakefield.

Ray Miller is the tech that works on my car.

The service writers can be hard to deal with at times....but all in all the sevice department seems to have their act together. Ray is a good tech and never left a trace of his work behind. It seems like the Rx8's go to him if he is available because of his experience with the RX7's.

I would recomend him.