Brake shudder was the jerky, unsmooth motion as the car slows down with mild to moderate application of brakes. It would feel like someone applying and slightly releasing the brakes over and over again. It's the same feeling you would get if your bicycle wheel was a little bent and the brakes engage only some of the time.

Mazda changed the brakes under warranty and now the braking is smooth.

Hope this is clear.

 

They changed the brake ROTORS I reckon - they were probably cracked or something, to merit replacement...

When mine did the same they machined the rotors instead of replacing them.

Was it all four wheels, or just the fronts?

 

Okay, 30K service at Crookie today.

Replaced engine oil and filter.
Carried out 'm-mds' check for codes and pcm update.
Inspected coolant system and checked for leaks.
Inspected and cleaned air filter element.
Checked battery electrolyte and fluid level.
Checked all oil levels.
Topped up all fluid levels.
Checked front and rear brakes.
Checked interior and exterior lights.
Inspected all drive belts and adjusted if required.
Secured door check straps and lubricated.
Inspected and adjusted parking brake.
Inspected all tyre pressures including spare.
Lubricated locks, hinges and latches.
Inspected and aligned washer jets.
Carried out full vehicle inspection and report.
Carried out road test to manufacturer handbook.

Front brakes 45% left
Rear brakes 60% left
Tyres in good condition

Labour 133.00

Parts

Seal, drain plug 1.81
Oil filter 12.66
5 litres of MRO 70.13 84.60

Workshop suplies/enviro levy 17.99

GST 23.56

TOTAL 259.15

Car ready on time, spare oil left in boot, car washed (after a fashion).

I like how they checked the parking brake, given that these can be a problem.

They also re-installed a devilishly tricky rear number plate mounting bracket for me (those at the Nats will know about this) - no charge for that.

So guys, anything missing from the 30K service that I should know about?

 

That went over my head I'm afraid.

 

LOL, brakes Kall, brakes.

 

 

Ok, the 40000km service is burning a hole in my desk, so I thought I'd type it out:

03/02/2005

Carry out 40000km service......................................$149. 45
As per manufacturers recommended schedule
Bled and replaced brake fluid
Replaced Engine Oil and Filter
Checked and Adjusted all fluid levels
Checked and adjusted brakes
Roadtested
Didn't rotate tyres due ot tyres already scallopped, not worth rotating
Checked for sunglasses holder sticking - lubricated sunglasses holder, tested, all ok

Brake cleaner........................................... ................$5.00
Oil Filter............................................ ........................$11.50
Gasket Sump Plug .................................................. .$0.37
Fuel System Cleaner........................................... .....$10.91
Motor Oil Rotary 5L................................................ ..$51.75
Brake Fluid............................................. ...................$10.90
Filter cooling unit.............................................. ........$40.15
Environmental Levy.............................................. ....$3.10
Workshop supplies.......................................... .........$6.10

Sub Total............................................. .....................$289.23
GST............................................... ............................$28.92
Total............................................. .............................$318.15

This was the most expensive service until my last service (the dreaded 60000km service of death) ... but that was still reasonable coming in at just under $800!

I'll have to get that one back as well.

 

Ok ... this one's the big one. The 60000km service I did on 02/01

So: here it goes

Mazda 60000km Service........................................... ..............$270.00
Carry out service as per mazda recommended schedule
Including -
replace engine oil and filter
Replace fuel filter
Replaced spark plugs
Checked fuel system and hoses
Checked cooling system and hoses
Check drive belts
Checked all fluid and oil levels
Checked all underbody bolts and nuts
Check front and rear struts/dampers
Checked exhaust system and exhaust moutns
Adjust handbrake
Removed wheels nad checked front and rear brakes
Checked all brake hoses and pipes
Check and adjust tyre pressures
Carry out road test
Replaced a/c pollen filter (was getting a bit clogged causing low airflow)
Flush and bleed brake system (should be done every 40, but I get it done every 20)
Check clicking noise in front
Inspected front end fo noise, unable to fault (but coincidentally fixed?!)
check rattle in clutch on harsh release
Inspecd clutch operation, inspected pivot points, unable to fault (but again, coincidentally fixed?!)
check rattle in rev range, no fault found (still get that damned annoying rattle)
check engine flexing under load
carried pcm upgrade
check hard starting when cold turns over won't fire
check gear stick vibration

Spark Plug x2................................................ ...........................$161.34
Spark Plug Leading H x2................................................ ..........$161.34
Brake Fluid 500mL............................................. .......................$16.88
Gasket Sump Plug.............................................. ......................$1.45
Rotary Oil 5L................................................ .............................$63.75
Oil Filter............................................ ........................................$12.45
Filter Cooling Unit.............................................. .......................$44.43

Environmental Levy.............................................. ....................$5.00
Workshop Sundries.......................................... ........................$10.00

Sub Total............................................. .....................................$746.64
GST............................................... ............................................$74.66
Total............................................. ............................................$821.3 0
-Sub Acct
Discount.......................................... .........................................$74.65
Total............................................. ............................................$746.6 5

 

You've done 50000kms?!

 

Hi guys,

Newbie member here. Reading through the threads about the scheduled servicing looks a little scary to say the least! (price wise!)

Anyhoo, I thought I might get some feedback as to what to expect in my next service (as I have just brought my used RX-8 a week ago - $40,000, 35,000k's on the clock, 2004 model), or what in particular to ask my service technician to do?!?

I have always worked on my own cars previously but I want to make sure things are done right with the RX-8.

I think I was quoted about $375 from Grand Prix Mazda Aspley here in Brissie for the 40k service. Does this sound right to you all knowing RX-8 owners? I had a feeling it was a decent price as looking at some of the 60k service prices they are a bit higher than $375.

Any help, advice, warnings or anything else you can tell me is much appreciated! I hope to become a regular member of the forum and hope to get my head around owning the most modern rotary available!

Cheers in advance!

Josh.

PS: Hymee, I believe I live quite close to you mate (Murrumba Downs), hopefully I may be able to catch up with you at some point and have a look at your RX-8 and pick your brain about a few things if I ever need to? (Feel free to tell me to bugger off!)

 

Thanks for the reply Missy.

Yep I've got the logbook records from the previous owner. I know for a fact that he had to take it back for the recall on the fuel tank insulation or whatever it was, but I'm not sure about the engine mount recall?

I will have to do a more in depth read of the manual to check up on what each service entails.

 

Ah, okay thanks for the heads up.

Now that you mention it I have noticed in the week and a half of owning my RX-8 that at idle there is a little bit of vibration - of which I would consider to be more than normally expected.

Pity the 3 year warranty ran out on my RX-8 in February! I can only imagine the cost of new mounts would not be very friendly on my wallet!

 

You may be ok, I've never had a problem with my engine mounts ... and the rotary does tend to idle pretty rough, but it's kinda normal ... in comparison to my mate's 12A, it's bloody smooth!

If you're used to working on cars yourself ... if you're out of warranty and the mounts broken, go to bunnings and buy some sikaflex, pull the mount out yourself, take all the rubber crap out, fill and set it with sika and put it back I did that on my other car a few years ago. Cost $30 and about 8 hours on a weekend.

 

Funny you mention that Cromax - I did the same thing on my last car - Toyota GT Starlet.

The vibration I feel is through the whole car, and it sort of fluctuates if that makes sense. You can feel the seat slightly vibrate as well as the steering wheel. Its mainly when the aircon is on, but it is there when its off too. I did own a 1974 Mazda RX-2 sedan about 4 years ago, but it had a bridgported 12A in it so I can't really compare as the 12A rocked like crazy from side to side.

I guess I will just get the Mazda guys to check it out when I put it in for the 40k service. They could be perfectly fine - I may just be paranoid!

 

Well, it's cheaper than buying new mounts and it lasts longer ...

... yeah, you can't really compare them, but still, a bit of rock is acceptable. Mine vibrates a bit, but it's still better than a V8 with lumpy cams. However if it's shaking the whole car, it could be an engine mount. It may very well be a case of paranoia, but there's no harm in getting them to check

 

Souh Australia? Has anyone had any experience with South Australian dealers?

 

That's 'cos of the major population difference. There's something like a 1 to 5 ratio in terms of population between SA and VIC!