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Clutch Bracket SNAPPED!
Add me to the list of clutch brackets that break prematurely! I only have 51,000 on my 8 and the damn clutch bracket snapped on me yesterday morning.
I was at a stop light, went to engaged the clutch and I hear a loud POP! At first, I thought it was the clutch switch. Luckily, I was near my Mazda dealership and was able to find someone to help me push the car there. It was 6AM in the morning and I'm glad it didn't happen during the day when that street is packed! My concern is if this happens to someone who is in traffic or near someone driving aggressively. This could potentially become a safety issue with Mazda. I've read the other post on the forums about this happening to others, so I know its not only me who's been dealing with this. I was heard squeaking noises in the clutch pedal prior to this happening! My fault for not taking care of this before hand. Anyways, just wanted to let you everyone know what to watch out for. |
Please see my thread.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/clutch-pedal-snap-off-8-year-warranty-recall-%7E%7E%7E-132912/ and report ur problem to NHTSA, its the only way we can get them to admit the problem and actually design something better to fix the issue. |
Originally Posted by nycgps
(Post 2565537)
Please see my thread.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=132912 and report ur problem to NHTSA, its the only way we can get them to admit the problem and actually design something better to fix the issue. |
This thing is just getting ugly.
As more and more cars reaching more mileage. more Clutch bracket problem will show. Mazda, do something b4 someone gets hurt or kill to start a class action lawsuit again you. This is a serious problem, clutch bracket should NOT break like that, its not a wear item like Brake pads, its suppose to be an "indestructible" item like Brake pedal and gas pedal. |
Originally Posted by nycgps
(Post 2565539)
This thing is just getting ugly.
As more and more cars reaching more mileage. more Clutch bracket problem will show. Mazda, do something b4 someone gets hurt or kill to start a class action lawsuit again you. This is a serious problem, clutch bracket should NOT break like that, its not a wear item like Brake pads, its suppose to be an "indestructible" item like Brake pedal and gas pedal. |
I was lucky too cuz I wasnt even driving, I got to my gf's house, engine stop. tried to push clutch in so I can lock the car in 1st gear ... *crack*
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what kind of squeaking are you hearing because i do hear a faint noise almost sounds like the spring beinge pulled apart and pushed together....is that it?
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I had mine replaced with a BHR reinformced clutch pedal. (Ray has extra welds put in to prevent this) Even at 40,000 miles, mine was already starting to pull apart. :(
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Can you take a quick picture of where it broke off and post it up here? I mean, if you can....it's fine, you can't.
I've never heard of this issue before....now I'm worried...I should check mine or something...lol :) Thanks! |
It is sad however that out own members are developing BETTER clutch brackets than the ones Mazda is shipping.
This is a safety issue and should never be a problem. That is like Charles making a better airbag for our cars. Report this immediately and let us know what they said. Thanks! P.S. Mine is squeaking but Mazda will not fix it. |
7500 miles on my 07 and already sounds like something in loose. But it only happens at certain times, so I'll never be able to recreate the sound at the dealership. It sounds like one sharp snap, so I can see how the pedal will break off as miles accumulate.
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mine is also having issues, 15k miles
it swerves to the right violently, and everytime i push it there is a squeeking sound -_- |
^^^ taj; that pedal sounds like it's on the way out. get under there and check the welds before it snaps in the middle of an agressive shift.
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All this talk about clutch pedals snapping off is getting me to seriously consider getting the brace from the Mazsport website.:Eyecrazy: :eyetwitch
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Hey Guys,
We are offering a new service to help customers in the situation. https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...35#post2565935 |
meh... i'm getting slightly concerned about this as well..... i dont have any abnormal play in pedal movement, but i do regularly have a sharp crack/snapping sound. i got under once to look and didnt see anything... it bothers me as my friggin mother will likely be driving the car for a few months while i'm in hoduras. at least until i come home to do some double secret probation work on the car :)
maybe i'll just take it out this weekend and see if i can get it welded.... |
Jedi, r u sure? because I was thinking this for a while too that it is a bout to snap off, but it hasn't yet.........I thought the jerking right was normal, rofl well I already ordered the mazsport reinforcement thinging since Ray isn't making one anymore
I'm gonna go check the welds when I finish uninstalling the turbo..... |
Originally Posted by MazsportScott
(Post 2565944)
Hey Guys,
We are offering a new service to help customers in the situation. https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...35#post2565935 |
^^ taj, jerking right is NOT normal, its not even suppose to move left and right, but due to (defect) the design ... it allows the clutch braket to move slight left & right.
so u better check it out before it snaps in the middle of high speed driving |
Originally Posted by RatedX8
(Post 2565983)
This is great for cars no longer under factory warranty or for those wanting to upgrade, but the main issue here is that this is safety related. We need to get Mazda's attention so they can issue a TSB. Who's our mod here who has some contacts at Mazda?
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they WONT RECALL IT!!! its Mazda
mine has been moving Right for sometime now, ever since 10k miles? but then I press the clutch alot.........so it's probably gonna be dismissed as wear-and-tear item |
rofl, then u should check it asap. and replace if u dont want to weld it.
oh or maybe u can buy CRH's bracket , send ur core to him, then buy Mazsport's clutch support bracket CRH + Mazsport = pwnage ! |
Originally Posted by tajabaho1
(Post 2565994)
they WONT RECALL IT!!! its Mazda
mine has been moving Right for sometime now, ever since 10k miles? but then I press the clutch alot.........so it's probably gonna be dismissed as wear-and-tear item |
I just installed the BHR clutch pedal about a week ago and even though I didn't have any issues with my current clutch the feeling is much better and more consistant.
The whole process was very easy...just ordered it from BHR, swapped it with my old bracket and sent back the core unit. It's tig welded 6 ways from sunday and this thing is going to be impossible to break under normal driving conditions. Many of you sound like you're getting close to snapping brackets. I'd get one ordered before yours breaks. Since BHR already has completed units on hand, there's no having to wait for your clutch unit to come back keeping your RX8 disabled. |
I just do not see buying a bracket when it's not my fault the part if faulty it's mazdas
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Originally Posted by tajabaho1
(Post 2565994)
they WONT RECALL IT!!! its Mazda
mine has been moving Right for sometime now, ever since 10k miles? but then I press the clutch alot.........so it's probably gonna be dismissed as wear-and-tear item Seriously though... see if you can get that resolved under warranty... as more repair for the cluth bracket under warranty and more reports to the NHTSA would help the situation, maybe then Mazda will look into this issue. http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/ We should add this as advantage of owning Auto RX-8, no need to deal with broken cluth bracket. |
yea, and no need to change to the clutch ever so often either
well I won't need one now cus my car's obviously not going anywhere |
Originally Posted by 04RX8man
(Post 2566040)
I just do not see buying a bracket when it's not my fault the part if faulty it's mazdas
For those who "had" this problem, rather Mazda replaced them under warranty or not. SHOULD file a complain at NHTSA. if u got it under warranty, you still might want to get this the weld bracket from CRH and reinforcements from Mazsport; Because its your life Imagine if u're going 60 mph on highway and the lane u're on coming to an end in 1/4 miles. u try to speed up and go to another lane but u found out that ur clutch bracket broke and u cant go into any gear. and there is no shoulders on this part of the highway for you to stop ur car, and there are cars all over you going at least 60 mph, and u're in a panic and stomp on ur brakes too fast ... |
my clutch has a 1/2" of play to either side. but it doesnt squeak. i think im ok. but still, when i have the money i'll be ordering the mazsport clutch bracket.
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yeah first thing i will do is try to get mazda to do something but if i do have to buy something i would but they should see that there is aproblem and put it under recall...
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damn, that reminds me, i better check mine too. my clutch bracket doesn't even look the same as anyone else's bracket.
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how involved is the clutch pedal install?... not something I've ever done before
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Originally Posted by r0tor
(Post 2566755)
how involved is the clutch pedal install?... not something I've ever done before
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Originally Posted by Charles R. Hill
(Post 2566575)
Guys, whoever said I wasn't making the pedals anymore? I have 7 units in-stock ready to ship. You get the new one, swap it in, and send me back the old assembly. No 24 hour wait and I even trust my customers enough to NOT charge a core fee.
Let's recap what we know about these pedal assemblies; The factory clutch pedal assembly is prone to failure, on average, around 47,000-50,000 miles even with a stock clutch. What happens is that the spot welds which secure the rear plate to the bracket mainframe crack/break and cause incomplete clutch disengagement. (The metal used on the bracket assembly, especially the rear plate, isn't of the highest quality either.) When this happens, initially, the synchros do their job and bear the brunt of the abuse generated by a clutch that won't fully disengage. Over time, the synchros cannot cannot continue to spin up/down as they are supposed to and grinding of the synchros starts to occur. At the same time, your pedal will first squeak once in a while. Then, it will squeak all the time. Next, it will click from time to time. Then it will "click" most of the time. Then comes one last "POP" and you are no longer able to disengage your clutch AT ALL. One way I tell people how to spot the early symptoms of pedal failure is when you have been shifting your transmission just fine for 40,000 miles and then you start to feel like you are "losing your touch", are having problems with your foot/hand coordination, or just have no clue why you start to grind gears no matter how careful you are. This is a classic sign of pedal bracket flex. The guys who weld for BHR are professionals who deal with exotic metals all the time and welding these things is a piece of cake for them. They know exactly how much current is necessary for proper penetration without distorting the host metal. Despite what gossip may be out there, BHR has NEVER had a dissatisfied customer who decided to install one of our modded pedal assemblies and our mods are better than even a brand-new pedal. I have a couple customers who can attest to that fact. I should also point out that BHR has NEVER left a customer in the lurch, out in the cold, nor holding a poor product. There have been situations where, for whatever reason, a particular part is not doing what was expected of it and I ALWAYS make my customers whole. Sometimes far beyond their expectations and what the industry norm might be. lemme check my bank account ... I should be able to get 1 this week or early next month hohoho
Originally Posted by expo1
(Post 2566769)
It's not very involved. I got one from BHR and it can be installed in less than 15 minutes.
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Originally Posted by NgoRX8
(Post 2566426)
damn, that reminds me, i better check mine too. my clutch bracket doesn't even look the same as anyone else's bracket.
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Originally Posted by Charles R. Hill
(Post 2566913)
The free-play needs to be adjusted to the factory spec of 1/4"-1/2" total system free-play after the new pedal is installed and you can guesstimate that during the adjustment. Use 10MM and 12MM wrenches to loosen the locknut and adjustthe pushrod. The cool thing is that the clutch's friction zone will no longer "drift" around on you and the engagement point will be consistent every time.
I already got Scott's bracket. + urs I think I will have the strongest bracket ever :) Gimme a day or 2 then I'll know when I will be able to get urs. :lol2: |
*crosses fingers for a recall before mine shows signs of breaking*
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Not trying to pit BHR's and Mazsport's clutch assembly braces against one another, but I was curious how the two differ and what is the price on the BHR unit? I tried finding it on the website, but I don't think it is updated with that product.
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BHR's unit - reinforce the bracket itself. by adding "a lot more welding spot" to existing bracket.. so it will not move left & right when you step on it. prevent it from breaking immaturely.
Mazsport unit - its a metal bracket that u install to your existing bracket, it helps it by "holding" the bracket with extra support. so it will not move left & right when you step on it. prevent it from breaking immaturely. both has different approach but the same goal - so ur bracket wont break. |
Originally Posted by nycgps
(Post 2566972)
BHR's unit - reinforce the bracket itself. by adding "a lot more welding spot" to existing bracket.. so it will not move left & right when you step on it. prevent it from breaking immaturely.
Mazsport unit - its a metal bracket that u install to your existing bracket, it helps it by "holding" the bracket with extra support. so it will not move left & right when you step on it. prevent it from breaking immaturely. both has different approach but the same goal - so ur bracket wont break. |
Originally Posted by moRotorMotor
(Post 2566976)
I see, thanks. From what I can gather, the BHR unit requires me to take off my clutch pedal assembly off and mail it to Charles and he in turn, sends me another clutch pedal assembly with the reinforced welds to install in my car?
read post 32 in this thread.. beers :beer: |
Yeah but waiting
I understand and feel the same way but waiting for someone else to fix it for you when it really is a safety issue and could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, in heavy traffic in a bad place or god forbid in an accident (Imagine having your clutch pedal break off mid shift while driving in the rain) doesn't make any sense either. if you are getting extra play, noise or can feel something "not right" in your clutch better safe than sorry and get it checked out. :icon_no2:
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Originally Posted by moRotorMotor
(Post 2566976)
I see, thanks. From what I can gather, the BHR unit requires me to take off my clutch pedal assembly off and mail it to Charles and he in turn, sends me another clutch pedal assembly with the reinforced welds to install in my car?
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My stock pedal (with stock clutch) lasted only about 42,000 miles before it started showing signs of failure.
Ray was in town for a DynoDay and was graceous enough to install it for me. I can honestly say that my clutch feels 100% better then it did before. The clutch feels SOLID, the 'play' on it is gone and shifts are back to being super smooth! Thanks Ray, another BITCHIN' product from BHR |
And as a reminder for those that the pedal is squeaking... just because it squeaks doesn't mean that the assembly is broken or near breaking.
It can also squeak from the Clutch switch and there is a TSB out on that. So it can be either issue if there is a squeak. |
wow wtf, who told me Ray stopped making pedals/!?!!? omfgwtfbbq.1t1itinemhshsohgwi4whawr
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Originally Posted by 04RX8man
(Post 2565770)
what kind of squeaking are you hearing because i do hear a faint noise almost sounds like the spring beinge pulled apart and pushed together....is that it?
Mazda is being sneaky too, they are checking these forums to void warranty on purpose. Little do they know this is bigger than just a warranty. What happens to everybody when they need to replace their clutches due to high mileage? All types of these incidents will start to happen. Mazda better fix this NOW! Regardless, this is a piece on the car that should not break EVER! |
Originally Posted by RatedX8
(Post 2565983)
This is great for cars no longer under factory warranty or for those wanting to upgrade, but the main issue here is that this is safety related. We need to get Mazda's attention so they can issue a TSB. Who's our mod here who has some contacts at Mazda?
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Originally Posted by RatedX8
(Post 2566003)
If enough people complain, or God forbid, someone gets into an accident, then it becomes a safety recall, the clutch itself is a wear and tear item, but the pedal going out of whack or breaking off is a design flaw.
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^^ on that note.. my pedal does squeak from time to time and i should get that checked out as i still need to go in for the new flash...
I dont know if my clutch is moving so much as maybe I am just so used to it? Would the recommendation be just to get one in case anyways? How much for the BHR... maybe we can get a thread started in the for sale section if not there already? |
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