Just in case some of you guys missed this recall , i believe it will effect Australian cars.

FOUND THIS ON THE TECK GARAGE SECTION :mad:

Control arm / Ball joint problem

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=67126&page=1&pp=15

B...free
michael

Only us old buggers, though. They are talking about '03 builds :(

Only us old buggers, though. They are talking about '03 builds :(

Not sure.. the later part of the thread nominated a VIN number that is built in 04, but called an '05 car... So we newbies might also be included..

Only us old buggers, though. They are talking about '03 builds :(

I read 2004 in the posted letter. :confused:

US 2004---always a year ahead. But this will need to be confirmed when Mazda identifies the affected VINs

One guy mentioned that he had a squeaky front right suspension.

I'm getting that alot.

And massive tramlining which seems to get worse, tires perhaps?

One guy mentioned that he had a squeaky front right suspension.

I'm getting that alot.

And massive tramlining which seems to get worse, tires perhaps?

Haven't heard any squeaking but I definitely notice the tramlining (admittedly at slowish speeds).

At my last service they pumped my tyres to 38psi (I'd previously had them on 34 for around town comfort) and not surprisingly it is more noticeable since then. I'm about to go back to 34 for comparison purposes.

I'm due for a 40,000km service probably in a week or so. I'll definitely put that on my list of things to be looked at when I book it in. Anything else I should mention, eg, any new official flashes?

I can confirm that 2003 builds are 2004 cars in the USA. Their next year's models come out in the summer of the previous year.

Labrat ...............as valpac has stated your local mazda dealer will not have the correct equipment needed to to inspect .

Most likely they wont even know of the recall , Mazda Australia so far has kept most of us in the dark about most fixes . :mad:


Do not be convinced that you can check out the control arms in the garage.

You cannot perform any of these analyses with a flashlight and a jackstand.


eddy current


ultrasonic


X-ray (using film)


resonance method, such as Fokker Bond or tap test


magnetic particle


fluorescent and dye penetrant


video inspection


thermography

All these NDI's are used in industry to check properties of aluminum forgings in the aircraft industry. You cannot trust your eyes alone.

B...free
michael

Can someone tell me what identifies an 04 from an 05? My car is factory stamped DEC04.

Andrew

Can someone tell me what identifies an 04 from an 05? My car is factory stamped DEC04.

Andrew

In "our" terms, yours is an 04 build.

In US terms, as in the text of the recall... Well, they are different. Like my 03 build would have been called an 04 Model in the US. Go figure.

Cheers,
Hymee.

Yikes - thanks for posting this in the Oz forum. My car abruptly started tramlining a month or so ago, and I've noted some oddly inconsistent steering response in corners too. I thought it may have been an alignment problem but this has me wondering. Will be interesting to see if MA is up on this as I plan to take it in next week....

I'm sure the tramlining is just due to the shocking tires...RE040..pffft!

Others have noted with other sorts its alot better.

And the squeaking was extremely noticeable mainly going on to speed humps.

Mines a DEC04, and it just might be affected...Let's wait and see.

I'm getting the squeek on the left hand front suspension, a lot of vibrations from that side and tramtracking when that side goes into ruts.

Sorry, Mines an December "03" model. And I think that fits into the US

04 as Hymee was saying.

What build date is yours rotarenvy?

has anyone ended up walk into the dealers and ask for details?

noojoc?

What is Tramlining?

What is Tramlining?

Okay, I'll take this on so the rest of you can shoot my explanation down in flames (labrat, BVD, Gomez, etc??).

Tramlining is when you feel that your front wheels are following a rut or groove in the road and 'fighting' the steering wheel in terms of changing direction.

I would suspect 'tramlining' is not a symptom of this recall issue (but I stand to be corrected ;) ). This recall is about the lower suspension ball joint. That is an item which, if the casting is faulty, will simply fail, rather than degrade progressively.

Sorry, Mines an December "03" model. And I think that fits into the US

04 as Hymee was saying.

What build date is yours rotarenvy?

early 04 from memory

I would suspect 'tramlining' is not a symptom of this recall issue (but I stand to be corrected ;) ). This recall is about the lower suspension ball joint. That is an item which, if the casting is faulty, will simply fail, rather than degrade progressively.

What do you expect the symptoms to be if your suspension isn't securely mounted to the car? Depends where/it it cracks or brakes is a catastrophic failure or just one of the mounting bolts.

Spoke to the person at my dealer who deals with Warranty and they are unaware of any recall at the moment and sounded like they wanted to get off the phone and call mazda to find out.

Andrew

What do you expect the symptoms to be if your suspension isn't securely mounted to the car? Depends where/it it cracks or brakes is a catastrophic failure or just one of the mounting bolts.

Well, as the US information talks about faulty ball joint casting, ie, the ball...I would expect catastrophic failure...but I purposely avoided that term in my post :(

However, I would expect (hope!) this is a relatively unlikely occurrence. But I'm not punting into any corners too hard, until there's more information :(

Well, as the US information talks about faulty ball joint casting, ie, the ball...I would expect catastrophic failure...but I purposely avoided that term in my post :(

However, I would expect (hope!) this is a relatively unlikely occurrence. But I'm not punting into any corners too hard, until there's more information :(


OK i spoke to Mazda head office customer service they dont acknowledge a recall concerning a ball joint or lower control arm , after questioning this i was told that recalls in America and in Japan dont necessarily effect Australian cars. :confused:

Our Australian RX8 workshop manual lists the Lower control arms part number as 49T-28-3AO

The American recall parts number for the Lower control arms its F151-34-300 AND F151-34-350 .

Could it be possible that they are made of different materials in different countries by different suppliers ??? :confused:

B..free
michael

there is also a recall in Hong Kong regarding the heat and the front suspension issues.. saw the news last week on the internet.. however, Mazda HongKong said there is only 22 RX8s were affected... they r not popular in HK... :(

THe news said that some 05 models are also affected...

If Takas car can last that many track days without snapping anything,

then I'm just gonna take my chances and keep doing what the RX8 does best...BURNOUTS!

Hehe only kidding, but seriously, I'm not gonna let this put me down until theres news

aplenty Downunder.

Could it be possible that they are made of different materials in different countries by different suppliers ??? :confused:


Fully expect there to be a recall in Australia for these items.....I expect one.

Could it be possible that they are made of different materials in different countries by different suppliers ??? :confused:

B..free
michael


C'mon Michael, do you really believe that Mazda will use different suppliers for different country's cars. I guess they may have an agenda to put a label on the 8...made in australia...LOL!

Cmon Gomez. You cant just stop there. WHat makes you say that? Information or Gut feel?

Andrew

put it this way, if that part breaks and we crash as a result - who is to blame?

This is a very interesting thought.. If the part numbers are different it might suggest that the RX-8 is built to a price.. For US$30k you get lesser quality components?? Let's face it there must be assumptions made by many Manufacturers that Australian (and South African etc) cars need stronger suspensions because the roads are not good.. :confused: Interesting..

I am taking up this issue with Mazda head office and if i dont get a satisfactory answer i will divulge this information to the relevant car Authorities and car media groupshere in Australia.

Last time i challenged Mazda as to why Australian cars only get the 1 oil cooler as opposed to the American ones they came up with a shitty excuse saying it was due to our different weather conditions( BS ) :mad:

As if we dont get cold or extremely hot weather here in different parts of Australia.

WELL ON THIS ISSUE OF IMPROPER FORGED LOWER ARM CONTROLS , POSSIBLY CAUSING CRACKS IN THE IN THE BALL JOINT SOCKETS , WHERE THE BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE BALL JOINT SOCKET CAUSING THE LOSS OF STEERING AND POTENTIAL CRASH .I am not prepared to sit it out i want a proper response from MAZDA :mad:

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michael

Careful Michael...you're sounding...very...stressed! ;)

Gotta agree with you L&L. I think it would be surprising if the control arms differ depending on end markets. In addition to tramlining on straights (which I acknowledge is most probably due to uneven wear on the RE040's) my car is occasionally "drifting"- not drastically but definitely unpredictably- at the front end in corners at suburban speeds. It's like there is play in the steering or something. Very unnerving to say the least. I'm not sure that 3 advanced driving courses and 27 years behind the wheel leave me well prepared for a catastrophic and total loss of steering control.

At this stage my car is booked in on Tuesday for a service, alignment and full check of the front suspension. The dealer of course knew nothing of the US recall. I'll post the outcome next week - and am driving VERY carefully between now and then.

BTW: to those who reckoned that 38psi would result in even tread wear on the RE040's - at 29000km mine are close to knackered (down to Tread Wear Indicators) in the tread centre, and have at least half their original tread depth to go on the outer tread area. I started running at 36psi and upped it to 38psi all round after listening to advice from others here. The steering response and handling benefited, but wear hasn't. I'll still stick with 38psi in the future though.

The RE040's come off in the next week or so - replaced by 245/40 Toyo Trampio TPG (Gu:Wn). I'll post some comments on these too, once they're full bedded in.

Well I hardly drive my car hard unless it is on the track. So I think I am safer here, but will watch closely on the news.

Careful Michael...you're sounding...very...stressed! ;)


Some one has to take up this issue with Mazda Australia and hopefully get some conclusive answer to a potentially major problem .

This certainly is more important to RX8 OWNERS then talking about other usseless issues that will never have the potential of causing a major accident with our cars .

Maybe you like Mazda avoiding issues with our cars and giving it to you up the arse :p :eek:

But i certainly .....DONT :D

B...free
michael

we all can just simply ring up Mazda Auustralia and ask for it, if they receive 50 to 100 phone calls in a day or 2 regarding the recalls, they will then definately look into the matter more seriously...

we all can just simply ring up Mazda Auustralia and ask for it, if they receive 50 to 100 phone calls in a day or 2 regarding the recalls, they will then definately look into the matter more seriously...

The Americans yell and they get listened to by mazda America the Ausies seem to be content in coping it sweet :eek:

Do it ...............mazda Australia has already gotten away from giving us a second oil cooler just because they could inaction is indemic in the Australian physcke.

Stand up and be counted .

B...free
michael

Do it ...............mazda Australia has already gotten away from giving us a second oil cooler just because they could inaction is indemic in the Australian physcke.

The Japanese do not have them as a standard item (even in the Type S). So I don't think we will get them.

I will get someone to look at the control arm next service. :cool: You know, time for an upgrade for me. Strangely enough the Japanese had the car the longest and none of the company found the forged problem in the control arm and bringing out their products.

It could still be an isolated batch that has gone out to the US. Anyway, if there is one shown in Australia - then a recall should happen.

I have seen the whole thread of the link from Lock, and also seen the attachment that brothervoodoo have posted.

It is certainly seem like the K4 batch of the lower arm at the moment. The batch number should be at the undersurface of the arm. I suggest if there is any K or 4 in the batch number than you should rush to the Mazda dealer, call up Mazda Australia, and demand answer.

Heres the letter i have sent Mazda Australia.

Customer Service Centre
Mazda Australia
Private Bag 323
Mount Waverley BC
Victoria 3149

Dear Sir

As you may be aware, there has been a recent recall of RX8s. Both in the USA and Japan. Mazda is recalling the RX8 sports cars because of a problem with the front suspension that could lead to a loss of steering resulting in a crash. I am led to believe that this is due to improper forging of the lower control arm, cracks may occur in the ball joint socket.

It has been reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in America.

I understand that there is a risk of cracking in the ball joint sockets, which could result in total failure and a loss of steering. Obviously, this has the potential to cause serious accidents and consequent fatalities and injury.

Both myself and a large number of other owners of RX8 models in Australia are very concerned about this issue as no doubt our cars share the same component parts as those recalled in the USA.

I have attempted to discover from Mazda Australia whether Australian distributed models are similarly affected but to date I am yet to receive a satisfactory response.

Kindly advise forthwith whether my car is likely to suffer from the same or similar fault. If so, what does Mazda Australia plan to do to rectify such a serious risk?

Should I fail to receive a satisfactory response, I shall have no hesitation in taking the problem to the relevant authorities.

I also suspect that the media would be interested in yet another attempt by a japanese car manufacturer to hush up a safety recall.

I look forward to hearing from you by return mail.

Yours faithfully
Michael Elias

L&L, keep the stress levels up cos you are justified in this instance. The letter looks okay. Keep us posted.

Do you guys think that we should all send letters, emails or as previously mentioned call MA. If we are to call would it be better if we all called the same number? If so, could someone suggest a number we all call.

L&L, keep the stress levels up cos you are justified in this instance. The letter looks okay. Keep us posted.

Do you guys think that we should all send letters, emails or as previously mentioned call MA. If we are to call would it be better if we all called the same number? If so, could someone suggest a number we all call.


1800=034-411 ............... MAZDA Australia.

I am allways justified :p :D

B...free
michael

This bit....

I also suspect that the media would be interested in yet another attempt by a japanese car manufacturer to hush up a safety recall.
doesn't really sit too well with this bit....

Yours faithfully
Michael Elias

You were going well up until that point Michael..... ;)

Why don't you fax it to them and leave your mobile number... what are they going to do? Mail you back? They would have love to speak to you ASAP.

SUPRISE ------SUPRISE ----------SUPRISE :D

Mazda has NOW officially told me that the re-call does effect Australian cars and that i had beaten them to the notification :rolleyes:

All effected vehicles will be notified by mail in about 4 weeks time .

At least our cars now will be a lot safer around wakefield :cool:

Thanks to all of you who may have taken the initiative to try and get a straight answer from MAZDA .

"United as a group we stand as individual owners we fall"

VIVA LA REVOLUZION :D :cool:

B...free
michael

Well done Lock,

1 star credit to you :cool:

Should I tell my wife to sit at the mailbox :D? Or do you know what car is affected?

Nice work old boy ! ;) (... no I'm not a pom :mad: ....... I can handle my willow and bat the distance with anyone :cool: )

In a way I would like my 8 to be recalled, I will get some new parts (which can't be all bad) and for my inconvenience I will demand at least an oil change, a valet and some promotional gear they usually have. :D :D :D

Well done Lock. ;) ;)

In a way I would like my 8 to be recalled, I will get some new parts......

Only a few will get new parts, I am led to believe. An inspection is required to determine whether your car has the affected components. This batch was spread over a large production run.

SUPRISE ------SUPRISE ----------SUPRISE :D

Mazda has NOW officially told me that the re-call does effect Australian cars and that i had beaten them to the notification :rolleyes:

All effected vehicles will be notified by mail in about 4 weeks time .



Good on you Michael,

I had just copied and pasted your letter with a view to sending a personalised and edited version to the same address, when I read your latest post.

I think I will still send my letter though, as there are a couple of other issues that I'd like to ask them about. E.g. the sump exchange due to the oil warning light business. My car was in the right range, but I never got any offer to replace it, despite hearing reports that several dealers in the east were taking steps to "tidy up" any that were left - whether or not they'd had the problem.

I have never had the light come on, and problem was only with sensor reporting, so I'm not really bothered about getting it changed. However, I seem to remember that there were one or two things that cropped up on the US list (at Rosenthal's) that never got much airplay here. So I might check through and see if there's anything I'd like to ask about.

In the meantime, I'm going to keep using my car as usual. The rate of actual failure(s) compared to the number of cars and how they're used seems very tiny indeed. We don't seem to have all the details about the full nature of the weakness, and whether it's case of all the arms are weak or whether it's that some of them might be, and they can't be sure which ones. It might even just be a very unlucky combination of stresses in a certain instance.

What I'd really like to know is, if it doesn't affect all the cars made, then when did they make a change, what was the change, and why did they make it? Was it a change in design, supplier, composition, quality control or what?

Anyhow, if my socket did fail and I crashed it wouldn't be much consolation that I was statistically unusual! So I'll certainly hold off on kerb bashing and running over the more solid class of pensioner for the next month. :)

Mazda has NOW officially told me that the re-call does effect Australian cars.....


Who in Mazda told you this, Michael?

Only a few will get new parts, I am led to believe. An inspection is required to determine whether your car has the affected components. This batch was spread over a large production run.


Unless Mazda uses all these varied testing procedures on my car i will not be saisfied with their testing and will insist on new parts .

Heres the tests that need to be done to truly verify if theres a fault with the parts.

Do not be convinced that you can check out the control arms in the garage.

You cannot perform any of these analyses with a flashlight and a jackstand.


eddy current


ultrasonic


X-ray (using film)


resonance method, such as Fokker Bond or tap test


magnetic particle


fluorescent and dye penetrant


video inspection


thermography

All these NDI's are used in industry to check properties of aluminum forgings in the aircraft industry. You cannot trust your eyes alone.

So unless mazda does most of these tests INSIST ON NEW PARTS. :D

B...free
michael

HERE'S A REAL LIFE FRONT END FAILURE STORY:

I used to own an old Morris many years ago. It had top and bottom "trunnions" that performed a similar function to the joints in question on the RX8.

One night, after a most enjoyable party I thrashed it home through the deserted roads through the hills..... Up and down, round the bends, hammer and tongs all the way.... :eek:

When I got home I first drove up to my shed and turned some lights off. Then I jumped back in and set off towards the house....

I got five feet and the front wheel fell off! To be exact it parted company at the bottom and stayed attached at the top and swung out at 90 degrees. :o

"Well bugger me" I mumbled, and laughed as you do when brushed lightly by the scythe of doom. And then tottered off down to the house to bed. :)

Front end failures? Pah! Been there, done that... :D

Who in Mazda told you this, Michael?


The sevice manager from Gold coast mazda , finally acknowledged just recieving an E-MAIL FROM MAZDA HEAD OFFICE .(HOW CONVENIENT ) :rolleyes:

He stated that a letter will follow in 3 - 4 weeks time .

I AM CONVINCED M AZDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A LOT LONGER THAN
THEY WILL EVER ADMITT :mad:

B..free
michael

I think there will be a lot of recall just for inspection.... and they will repair it if it is from the same batch of lower arms.

Make sure when you receive the letter, you should call them and tell them how inconvience is that... blah blah blah and tell them. I need something to change too. My brake oil is very dark, and the coolant need changing too ;). Free labour, but I will pay for the materials. :D

Unless Mazda uses all these varied testing procedures on my car i will not be satisfied with their testing and will insist on new parts .

Heres the tests that need to be done to truly verify if theres a fault with the parts.

Do not be convinced that you can check out the control arms in the garage.

You cannot perform any of these analyses with a flashlight and a jackstand.

eddy current ....etc.....

All these NDI's are used in industry to check properties of aluminium forgings in the aircraft industry. You cannot trust your eyes alone.


I know what is used in the aircraft industry, Michael. They have a bad batch. Those tests would have been done on samples retained from the many batches produced, back in Japan. If you don't have parts from the affected batch on your car, you can rest easy. Don't cause hysteria.

It'll all be okay.... :)

Gomez.

'Mez... so do you have those thing in your workshop to check on the planes? If so, would it be fun to use it to check the structure of the car for weak points :D?

The sevice manager from Gold coast mazda , finally acknowledged just recieving an E-MAIL FROM MAZDA HEAD OFFICE .(HOW CONVENIENT ) :rolleyes:

He stated that a letter will follow in 3 - 4 weeks time .

I AM CONVINCED M AZDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A LOT LONGER THAN
THEY WILL EVER ADMITT :mad:

B..free
michael

U CHAMPION michael!!!

Is the recall only for the lower arm issue or the overheated issue as well.. cos as i have said before, Mazda Hongkong has recalled some 04/05 model due to both heat and lower arm issues.. any idea?

U CHAMPION michael!!!

Is the recall only for the lower arm issue or the overheated issue as well.. cos as i have said before, Mazda Hongkong has recalled some 04/05 model due to both heat and lower arm issues.. any idea?


Cannot be 100% sure but i believe it to be for the lower arm / ball joint issue only .

B..free
michael

Thanks for your efforts Michael. Is everyone comfortable with the fact that MA are apparently going to sit on this potentially highly dangerous defect for 3-4 weeks before even writing to affected owners about it??

I know what is used in the aircraft industry, Michael. They have a bad batch. Those tests would have been done on samples retained from the many batches produced, back in Japan. If you don't have parts from the affected batch on your car, you can rest easy. Don't cause hysteria.

It'll all be okay.... :)

Gomez.


Never had intention of causing hysteria just wanted to get forum members to make sure they are not merely side stepped by Mazda , as we know Mazda is very good at .......Gilding the Lily. :eek:

I am sure they will try for shortcuts and save their moneys where ever possible , Look at the number of times they have lied about engine power performance figures and other matters relating to our cars :eek:.

Just triyng to keep the Bastards Honest ;)

B..free
michael

Thanks for your efforts Michael. Is everyone comfortable with the fact that MA are apparently going to sit on this potentially highly dangerous defect for 3-4 weeks before even writing to affected owners about it??


DEFINETELY NOT HAPPY :mad: but i think i have done my fare share of putting the heat up their arses , let someone else contact them and the car magazines and journalist pointing out this recall .

Mazda has most likely known about this situation for months :eek:

B...free
michael

Michael, I think it is commendable you got an answer on this, but I do think you need to consider Mazda's response in the context of the problem and the task they have of responding to it.

The issue affects a subset of 2003 build cars. There is potentially a problem IF your car has the part from the affected set, and IF that part is indeed faulty. The probabilities of a problem are very low.

However, in today's strict product liability world, Mazda (or any other manufacturer) has to undertake a detailed anaysis of these probabilities in order to decide on a recall, and I bet, given the litigious nature of the US on auto defect issues, they err very much on the side of caution. I certainly know other mfrs do, in sectors I have been associated with.

A recall is no small task, especially for an item like this. As you note, it's not something that can be inspected visually; they have to ensure a replacement part is in stock and available to all dealers -- probably worldwide -- to replace those in the affected sample at the time of inspection. This is a not insignificant communication and logistics task.

In life, you can choose to think positively about people's and organisations actions, or you can think negatively. From my perspective, Mazda have always done the right thing, although perhaps not with the instant gratification people expect these days. But there are logical reasons for that.

It is all too easy to criticise manufacturers for these types of problems. The reality is, they all have them -- even Rollers which 'fail to proceed' ;) As long as they are seen to be responding, even if it is in their own time. The alternative (which they know) is that they'll have their asses sued off -- see Dow Corning on breast implants, and James Hardie on asbestos.

It could be worse. After all, you could be driving a Rover with a similar problem...and no-one to sue :(

Just booked my car in for 40k service for next week, and faxed in my list of things to be done/looked at. I included the recall items on the web and linked to from this forum, so they will be aware from yet another angle.

I haven't noticed any diminution in handling, although my stock tyres are within 2-3mm of the wera bars and are howling at 30km/h - must be a resonance frequency thing. I'm going for the Toyo Trampios too.

Labrat out of curiosity what did you pay for the Trampios? Best I could do was $300 here in Sydney. There were zero stocks in NSW so have waited over 2 weeks for Toyo to transfer a set from WA. They get fitted today.

I ran Toyo T1S' a few cars back and was pretty impressed with them, hence the decision in favour of the Trampio's. Unfortunately T1S, S03, Eagle F1 etc are all out of my price bracket in this size. On the plus side however I reckon the RX-8 doesn't place especially heavy demands on its tyres. The RE040's - a seriously average tyre by all accounts - were surprsingly competent on the RX-8 IMHO - at least in the dry!

Labrat out of curiosity what did you pay for the Trampios? Best I could do was $300 here in Sydney. There were zero stocks in NSW so have waited over 2 weeks for Toyo to transfer a set from WA. They get fitted today.

I haven't fitted them yet, but was quoted $250 fitted by Ian Diffen Tyres Strathpine here in BNE a month or so ago. Looks like I'd better get a re-quote and lock in an order quickly!

The sevice manager from Gold coast mazda , finally acknowledged just recieving an E-MAIL FROM MAZDA HEAD OFFICE .(HOW CONVENIENT ) :rolleyes:

He stated that a letter will follow in 3 - 4 weeks time .

I AM CONVINCED M AZDA HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR A LOT LONGER THAN
THEY WILL EVER ADMITT :mad:

B..free
michael


Michael,

Commendable of you to root this out. Really great.

On the "when did they know" point- this issue was first noticed in japan on a few cars early this year and it took them awhile to track down the cause. they have actually moved quite swiftly on the issue. it was only in the last month or so they knew the cause and got new parts being made. there have only been a very few documented cases. i understand less a dozen or less total. only 2 in the US etc

Got the confirmation from Mazda Australia too.

Email from Geraldine Domingue gdomingue@mazda.com.au

Dear Dr Chan

Thank you for your email and advise that a recall on the Mazda RX-8 is
about to commence. At this stage we are still arranging the logistics
with our dealers. Once this has been organised, you will receive
notification if your vehicle has been affected.


Yours sincerely

Mazda Customer Service

GD28/7

Ditto

Dear Mr Elias



Thank you for your enquiry, which we received from Gold Coast Mazda. A recall on the Mazda RX-8 is about to commence and at this stage we are still arranging the logistics with our dealers. Once this has been organised, you will receive notification if your vehicle has been affected.



Yours sincerely

Mazda Customer Service

GD28/7

Recall information is out in Australia, publicly:
http://www.recalls.gov.au/view_recall_detail.php?Recall_ID_Auto=13527
http://www.recalls.gov.au/view_recall_detail.php?Recall_ID_Auto=13528

Wow -- both of them! Spoke to my service manager today, and he was certainly aware of the lower control arm. I mentioned the heat shield issue, but he wasn't aware...

Good find SCO. Well done L&L for your efforts in bringing this to our attention.

I hope the heat build up issue will solve the hot cup holder, transmission tunnel and poor a/c we get in the summer months.

skc

Sure L&L, it is comforting to see Mazda knows how to cut and paste in their email response :p

sco - great find. As early model, I have both to be recall and check. I think they should change the heat shield and get rid of the heat problem.

Do we have to go to the dealer we get the car from or it can be done via any dealer?

I hope the heat build up issue will solve the hot cup holder, transmission tunnel and poor a/c we get in the summer months.

skc

'Fraid not. This recall does nothing to fix heat in the transmission tunnel area. I had hoped we might dodge this bullet, oh well.

Do we have to go to the dealer we get the car from or it can be done via any dealer?

Any dealer.

Can we have a free service at the same time? I want a few fluid change ;)

Sure....tell them I sent you :p .

'Fraid not. This recall does nothing to fix heat in the transmission tunnel area. I had hoped we might dodge this bullet, oh well.

As I read the recall notice, it is only around the fuel tank area that is affected - is that what you were getting at Gomez with respect to no change to the exhaust pipe(s) further up the car?

I remember reading that Hymee's catback has the side benefit of being cooler in operation, thus avoiding the heat buildup we've probably all noticed in the boot floor. Any comments as to whether the fitting of this kind of aftermarket exhaust effectively does what the recall is designed to achieve? If not, does the recall work still work with the Hymee system?

Sorry if these are dumb questions but I'm still hoping to get a Hymee exhaust and was curious to know how the recall work for this problem impacts on such a system and vice versa. If it's been done to death before, would be grateful if you could point me in the direction of the relevant thread(s).

As I read the recall notice, it is only around the fuel tank area that is affected - is that what you were getting at Gomez with respect to no change to the exhaust pipe(s) further up the car?

I remember reading that Hymee's catback has the side benefit of being cooler in operation, thus avoiding the heat buildup we've probably all noticed in the boot floor. Any comments as to whether the fitting of this kind of aftermarket exhaust effectively does what the recall is designed to achieve? If not, does the recall work still work with the Hymee system?

Sorry if these are dumb questions but I'm still hoping to get a Hymee exhaust and was curious to know how the recall work for this problem impacts on such a system and vice versa. If it's been done to death before, would be grateful if you could point me in the direction of the relevant thread(s).

I have yet to check mine, but let me tell you about this if you already didn't know...

Ages ago, we did some dyno-ing on a "Hymee'd" RX-8, and we didn't have any airflow at the rear of the car. (I have subsequently seen in the manual where they say to have airflow at the rear of the car when dyno-ing). Part of the exhuast surrounds both melted. Not all together, but enough, hence my plan for carbon-firbe exhaust replacement parts. Now the problem doesn't happen on the road/track, as there is pleny of air flow.

Anyway, my point is I need to check the grommets on that car, and see if they got heat affected. If not, then it would be in the clear I guess, as I don't think it would have ever experienced more exhaust heat than that day!

Cheers,
Hymee.

I notice that the model designation in both recalls is Mazda RX and not RX-8 (or RX8).. Therefore it does not show up on the list of models on the search page at http://dynamic.dotars.gov.au/recalls/Search_Form.asp?make=MAZDA&category=Cars

As I read the recall notice, it is only around the fuel tank area that is affected - is that what you were getting at Gomez with respect to no change to the exhaust pipe(s) further up the car?

I remember reading that Hymee's catback has the side benefit of being cooler in operation, thus avoiding the heat buildup we've probably all noticed in the boot floor. Any comments as to whether the fitting of this kind of aftermarket exhaust effectively does what the recall is designed to achieve? If not, does the recall work still work with the Hymee system?

Sorry if these are dumb questions but I'm still hoping to get a Hymee exhaust and was curious to know how the recall work for this problem impacts on such a system and vice versa. If it's been done to death before, would be grateful if you could point me in the direction of the relevant thread(s).


There is a lot of detail about this in my posts in the recall thread. It's in the Issues and Problems area of the forum. Hymee's exhaust will actually help a little in reducing underbody damage as it dissipates the heat more efficiently. Very few (if any) cars in Australia will need fuel tank replacement, I predict. We don't have the history of flooding the US has, and we don't have the traffic jams they have either.

Michael,

Commendable of you to root this out. Really great.

On the "when did they know" point- this issue was first noticed in japan on a few cars early this year and it took them awhile to track down the cause. they have actually moved quite swiftly on the issue. it was only in the last month or so they knew the cause and got new parts being made. there have only been a very few documented cases. i understand less a dozen or less total. only 2 in the US etc


Wow a commendable mention by the super moderator for rooting . :cool:

Does this mean i am in your good books once again ?

B...free
michael

so basically, we r all affected by the excessive heat recall? is it right?

yes every car gets inspected for the heat issue.

michael - you were never out of MY good books;) im not one of the ones complaining- just one of the ones that have to hear them;)

Just in case you do not read the US thread.

Tigger has posted the full lower sus arm story. Thanks Tigger

http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2005/V/RCDNN-05V325-9406.PDF

Sound like my suspicision was right, they notice the problem in Nov 2003 on a race track and only then they started tracking their supplier.
It affects models up to Apr 2003, said in the article - so they can't take any risk but look at all the lower arm. I guess they are still hunting for K4 batch, and it could be install in cars up until Dec 2003.

Thanks Hymee and Gomez for your responses on that. :)

Just in case you do not read the US thread.

Tigger has posted the full lower sus arm story. Thanks Tigger

http://199.79.180.162/prepos/files/Artemis/Public/Recalls/2005/V/RCDNN-05V325-9406.PDF

Sound like my suspicision was right, they notice the problem in Nov 2003 on a race track and only then they started tracking their supplier.
It affects models up to Apr 2003, said in the article - so they can't take any risk but look at all the lower arm. I guess they are still hunting for K4 batch, and it could be install in cars up until Dec 2003.


Thanks taka ....explains Mazda's actions pretty well. They've been responsive.

Just another point to consider about the re-call ;)

If your car happens to re-called and the lower control arms and ball joints require replacing you will also be up for the cost of a Wheel allignment so it wont be altogether free unless Mazda covers the cost of the wheel alignment , which i dont think they will be happy doing :mad: , but they should .........so insist on it . :D

As both the castor and camber settings will be altered when the recall is done , you will need a Wheel Alignment .

B....free
michael

:confused: On what basis do you suggest Mazda would not cover this? Quite apart from the terms of the warranty, steering alignment is a safety issue, so there's no way a dealer should put the car back on the road without it being done, at Mazda's cost.

Insist on it! :mad:

Give them a copy of your specification of toe/chamber/caster setting in a print out and insist on getting a new print out before you leave dealership. If they insist on charging you, get them put that in black and white, or take a camera with you and let them speak to it. Bring your car somewhere you trust and send the invoice and a cover letter to Mazda Australia with carbon copy going to the Age and Herald Sun. See what they will get themselves into if they want me to spend $100 :mad:.

I will react extremely strongly to any unfairness that happens to me.... and I don't care who I piss off on the way, unless someone tells me that it is fair enough that Mazda should not fix the problem that THEY CREATED.

:confused: On what basis do you suggest Mazda would not cover this? Quite apart from the terms of the warranty, steering alignment is a safety issue, so there's no way a dealer should put the car back on the road without it being done, at Mazda's cost.

The cheap way out for them would be to mark both the original camber and castor settings and try to re adjust to the same setting , once the recall was completed .

How many Mazda dealer worshop have proper wheel alignment machines ??

I havent got a crystal ball , so i cant tell if mazda will or will not pay or even do the wheel alignment , the post is ment as a warning to those that need the re-call so they know what needs to be done if the job is to be done properly .

B...free
michael

Michael,

All dealers will have an affliated tyre shop they put tyres on.
They can do alignment there!

Taka

The cheap way out for them would be to mark both the original camber and castor settings and try to re adjust to the same setting , once the recall was completed

FFS, the easiest and cheapest way for them is to do it properly. They're not changing the part on every car
:rolleyes: