SpecialBlend

Driving down mcleod today and when shifting into third(i think) heard a big snap from under my dash then my clutch felt really weird. I can't remember exactly but i think it grinded into third but it still went in.

Then when i let the clutch out it only comes half way out unless i hook my foot under neith and pull, then it snaps back out to the top. I believe that only half of it broke as i was still able to get it into gear and managed to get off the road.

Upon inspecting it i found that the clutch was about 1 or 2 cm from the brake so i got out and looked underneith the dash. It looks like the left side has broke and by pulling to the left slightly it looks as if it snapped back into place.

In any case when i push the clutch in it goes half way in as soon as i touch it and it sticks there, if i continue to push down in seems to be engaging but probably not all the way. When i let out the clutch it comes back to the half way point.

I did not bother driving it i just called AMA and got it towed to Sunridge mazda as i am getting the oil cooler hose recall done tomorrow.

Does anyone know how much they will charge to fix the bracket? or if this should be covered under warranty?

I am just glad that mine did not completely break off otherwise i would have been stuck in gear or in neutral and that would have been much worse.

rx8thunder

Sorry to hear about your clutch problem. You should consider beefing up your clutch peddle after you get it fixed so it doesn't happen again. I've done so and it makes a real difference in peddle feel as well. Check out this thread...

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/new-product-mazsport-clutch-support-bracket-149245/

Flashwing

Yikes! You would think that Mazda would cover the pedal under warranty but many of us that have had issues were denied warranty coverage.

My advice would be to get in touch with Charles R. Hill at Black Halo Racing as he has tig welded clutch brackets ready to ship. All he asks is you return your core once you do the swap but he doesn't charge a core fee.

I am running the BHR pedal now and it's pretty stout. Mazsport does provide a welding service but you have to send your pedal in so it takes longer.

SpecialBlend

Ya im not sure because i don't have the bumper to bumper warranty anymore, only powertrain. Does Charles ship the whole unit, or is there assembly required upon arrival?? I wonder what the shipping turn around would be coming all the way up to Calgary Alberta?

Thanks for the info Flashingwing.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Charles R. Hill is in the other room from me and will be here momentarily to answer your questions.

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

Ray, you never said you were gonna have a secretary hehe hehe /pokes at easy

thats how this biz is gonna go down, i get it:
Ray, the businessman/faceman/character
Jeff, the engine carney, and guy who everyone wonders what he does at night when no one is looking
Easy, secretary!!!!

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

Somebody has to keep these two guys in line.

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

^^ lol i dont know if i'd wanna be that guy, you my friend have large esticals for doing that

paulmasoner

iTrader: (1)

^^ lol i dont know if i'd wanna be that guy, you my friend have large ********* for doing that

SpecialBlend

Well today Mazda diagnosed it as a broken clutch pedal assembly. They could not cover it fully under warranty as i do not have the bumper to bumper anymore. I usually bring my car to Sunridge for all things to be completed maintenance wise as i do not have the space to do it myself. I basically said to them that they are a good dealer and they have to give me a good reason for continuing to bring my car back to them. In the end he ended up basically knocking off the labour charge(100 dollars) by not charging any diagnostic fees for looking at it and giving me a deal on the parts.(still kind of a screw job but at least it will be fixed by tomorrow)

I think in the end it will cost me 250 bucks and that gets me a whole new clutch pedal assembly, not just the bracket. In the next month or two i will probably end up picking up the reinforcement kit just to make sure that it lasts longer this time.

Oh, and as a bonus, he actually knew that we have had our engine warranty extended whereas the last time i visited them they looked at me like i was crazy.

SpecialBlend

Moral of the story is if you hear a ticking sound as the clutch is being pressed in it could be starting to fatigue. The clicking is quite quiet but i definitely could feel it in my foot and could plainly hear it with no music or if the car is off. It has been over a couple months i would think since i started noticing it, so if it just started happening you may have some time and you may not.

Footman

iTrader: (2)

mine has squeaking sounds sometimes.. very faint... only 10 months! brand new car!

swoope

iTrader: (5)

you might call the mazda 800 # on this. it is a know issue.

all that could happen is they say no. but i bet they dont.

beers

swoope

iTrader: (5)

there is a tsb out for squeaking.. it is under warranty.

beers

Flashwing

SB,

The bracket (bad choice of words) is actually the whole clutch pedal assembly that BHR provides. There is a reinforcement bracket made by mazsport which costs about the same but is an added piece.

For $175 you get the entire assembly fully tig welded without the need of another reinforcement part. Otherwise $250 will just get you the same bogus assembly that broke in the first place.

Footman

iTrader: (2)

Mine is 07, its already the updated bracket.