Ok, so about three days ago I was cruising around town with some of my friends. I pulled into a gas station, filled her up, and went to back out. As soon as I put the car in reverse the gears ground. So I tried again and it did it a second time. Well the third time I finally got it to go in reverse and slowly backed out. When I went to put it in first the car started making this whining noise and the gears ground again really bad. It sounded like it was trying to kick it out of gear. I then went to put it in second and it did it worse in second. It kind of sounded like the gears weren't locking together properly or something.

Well yesterday I took it into Mazda to have them check it out. They said they the clutch was completely falling apart and that it looked like it had been abused. Now, I know they don't care but I've only had the car for 2 months. I'm not the greatest driver when it comes to driving stick but I get by just like average Joe does.

So today the lead mechanic there took it out for a drive and said that it sounded like it had been abused and it could be from "Power Shifting"...He then went on to ask if I knew how to fully depress the clutch when shifting. Which I responded with, "I'm not an idiot."

We then went back to Mazda and they said it would cost me about $1000 to get the clutch and everything replaced...and if its the transmission it would be $2600 or $4000. wtf.

So my question for you is...What all do I need to get to completely change the clutch kit (or whatever)? How much will it cost?

I don't have $1000 let alone $2600 to spend right now...So I'm paying a car off that's gonna be sitting there for the next few months...sigh...I have the worse luck.

 

isnt there a recall for that?

 

I just changed my clutch last week, you need 4 good jack stands, a good floor jack, clutch kit ( I used Exedy stage 1), good socket set with multiple extension bars and a breaker bar, WD40 (to loosen the nuts and get the exhaust off the hangers), a slide hammer and pilot bearing removal tool, gear box oil, and other basic tools. I used my floor jack but your really need a transmission jack and a helper to take off the transmission (wife). Mine took about 9 hours,

Here is a youtube video telling you how to do it there are also quite a few threads on here if you search.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWiVSuUvZ1A

 

Gee, I wonder if there is a DIY on this site or any other information about changing the clutch? Probably not, I am sure you are the first person to need a clutch replacement in an RX-8. I see even adding a huge search box at the top of the screen has done little to give people a hint.

 

I think the ad banner takes all the attention away from it.