Is anyone else experiencing a noise when the clutch is engaged and disengaged? When I disengage (step on the clutch) there is little noise other than the engine. Then when I engage (let go of the clutch), the noise appears. Its hard to describe other than something spinning.. which it should.. is that normal?

By the way, all this is done when I'm still in neutral.

-John

I have the same issue also.

I think it is normal though.. The transmission is seated very close to the driver compared to your typical front engine cars. I suspect those cars have more things to mask out the noise, while on the RX-8, the syncro sound is more obvious.

But I'm not a techie in this area.. any out there who are very familiar with clutch mechanics, can comment on this?

I just got my RX-8 last evening. The clutch noise was the first thing I noticed when idling in the driveway this morning.

Depending on who you believe, this noise is either the gearbox input shaft bearing or the clutch throwout bearing. Either way, Mazda insists it's normal. The 6-speed on my 10AE Miata did the same thing, and it never showed any sign of transmission problems.

i knew this was normal.. but just thought i ask a poll going from the other rx8 owners =-]

thnx

-john

Exactly the same here. Only have 145 miles on her and have the clutch noise. Glad to see others having the same issue.

I'm taking her in for a check engine light on Wed and I plan to ask about the clutch. I'll post what I find out from the dealer. I expect the usual 'what noise?' or the 'Yeah that is normal.' answers.

I have the same noise in my transmission/clutch. Only 20 miles on the car. Dealer is saying the same thing here (New Mexico) about it being the transmission. We tired several other RX8's on the lot and they all did it.

Dropped it off this morning. They gave me an enterpise rental car. A toyota echo. What a piece, manual steering, rollup windows, it does have AC and a radio.

Guess I can't complain, it was FREE to me and I could be sitting at the dealer right now.


:D

I just found this thread because I am experiencing the same noise.
My Miata has had a similar, but far less noticible version of this noise since I installed its new clutch. I figured it was the throw out bearing.
This noise from the RX is MUCH louder - it completely drowns out the sound of the motor and exhuast at idle in neutral from both inside AND outside the vehicle.
All 6 of RX-8s at the dealer exhibited the same noise, so I will assume it is either normal or pandemic and will be remedied by a TSB at some point if that is the case.

carry on. :)

thanks.

Any update on this clutch noise?

I have noticed the same sound even in 1st and 2nd gears. For example, the car is going 15 mph in 2nd gear and press the clutch with car still rolling (coasting?), you hear this whirring sound that just doesn't seem normal. Doesn't happen (or is not so pronounced) if you press the clutch when the car is rolling in 3rd gear or above.

Did you have anything done from the dealer that fixed this problem?

Regards,
Max.

It is not normal....I had mine fixed...see my other post....