Hey all, sorry if this has been asked before but I have a few questions on how I should go about switching to an aftermarket clutch. After searching the forum I didn't find much on the topic and thought I would make my own. Again, I apologize if this has been covered elsewhere but I did not see a whole lot on the topic.

So let me start off by explaining my concern. My old 8 had transmission issues and I know they are notorious for having grinding problems. Luckily, mine seems to be okay, but the clutch doesn't feel like it's engaging very well accelerating from a stop and shifting at low RPMs, and I don't want to wear out the gears. At 50,000 miles with the stock (at least, I assume) clutch I don't really trust how the previous owner drove the car and I'd rather take some preventative measures to preserve the transmission as much as I can, since I have no warranty.

So aside from the clutch not engaging too well at low RPMs, it also feels a bit notchy when you let off it, and squeaks a bit. I think this may be attributed to the bracket, but I can only speculate. It also just feels burned out - I can't really describe the feeling, but compared to my old 8 (which had a new clutch and transmission at one point) it feels much less durable. Also, when you let off it at an idle it seems to make a rattling noise, and I think I remember reading that is because of a bad throwout bearing, but I can't remember completely. I won't even get into the whole thump from neutral to first at a stop, because all four RX-8's I've driven did that (even my old one with new clutch and transmission).

With all that being said, I was hoping to get some advice on what aftermarket clutch to get, and all the parts I would need to buy that would go with it (and anything else associated with the issues I've described). I was going to do this with a friend of mine who knows a lot more about this stuff than I do, but since there might be a few things that he hasn't come across before I may end up taking it to a stealership since I want it done right. But if there is anybody in Houston who would be willing to help my friend and I with the install, I would be more than willing to compensate them for it. Again, sorry if this has been discussed before. Thanks in advance guys.

EDIT: Also forgot to mention that when shifting between gears 1-4, I hear a whining noise like the gears slowing down or something that I never heard on my old 8. I could possibly make a video tomorrow and upload it, but it sounds like the gears winding down when I shift and I'm not sure if that's normal. I'm taking it to the dealership tomorrow to have a few maintenance things done to it so I'll see what they say about it. Oh, and I was thinking of switching to Amsoil transmission fluid as well, since I haven't really seen any complaints with that on the forums.

 

Took my car to the dealership today. I was right about the pedal and I'll be replacing that when I swap out the clutch. I do have one question regarding the shifting, though. I intend on changing out the transmission fluid to Redline MT-90 this weekend, and I'm hoping to see a little difference using that. What I find odd is still the winding down noise the transmission makes when I shift, and why it seems hard to get the shifter into second any time the car isn't at a complete stop. I feel like I have to force it a bit, and I don't know if the fluid or clutch would help that at all. Could it be a bent shift fork or bad shifter? Please let me know what you guys think - I don't want to damage the transmission as I know they're not the most durable and I'm not under warranty.

 

I have an 04 and had the exact same symptoms you are describing with my old clutch. I dont know much about cars so I cant tell you if changing fluid will help but changing my clutch did. You already said your car had a prob with clutch pedal that may solve it, but I upgraded to the exedy stage one clutch myself and its amazing. After the swap my gears shift like butter (can i say that), but its really smooth now.

http://www.racingbeat.com/RX8/Clutch...ate/12648.html

 

Wow that is exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I would want to replace besides that is the clutch line and get a reinforced bracket. Are there any reviews on it? Thanks for the link man, I think I might have to go with that. You're the man. 8-)

Still wouldn't rule out a bad synchro and/or shift fork. I might order the kit next week and once it is installed with the new transmission fluid I'll see if I still have any issues. If it's still being weird, I'll see if I can convince my friend to tear apart the transmission with me to see what the issue is.... I hope it doesn't come down to that though.

 

Why are you replacing the clutch pedal yourself? Under an nhtsa safety investigation, the clutch pedal is covered under an extended 100,000 mile warranty, if there was something wrong with it the dealership should have offered to fix it then and there (unless you don't like other people touching your car, then I totally understand lol...)

 

Even before I brought it in I told them I thought the pedal was going bad, and even mentioned the recall. The guy said he would look into whatever recalls there were then take care of it. After I got the oil changed and coolant flushed he told me the pedal was bad and gave me a quote on it - he never said they would fix it free of charge. I was running late for work at that point so I couldn't really say much. I'm already annoyed they put the wrong oil in even though I told them I wanted 5W-30.

I'm going to go back there tomorrow to make them change the oil again. The thing that irks me the most was I TOLD them I was going to buy 5W-30 and asked how many quarts to get, and he said they already used that and not to worry about it. Seriously, I hate dealerships. And yeah, I do not trust them at all with my car. That, and I want to get the aftermarket reinforced bracket from BHR.

 

Print out a copy of the pedal extended warranty and bring it with you when you go back. Dealer has way less squirm room when you've got the info in writing.

Ken

 

They should have fixed it for free. I had mine done under SSP82; its a special program for 04' and 05's I believe that states mazda has to swap out the clutch pedal assembly and bracket. You can get your vin and call Mazda North America and verify that your car qualifies for this program. Dealer probably didnt want to mess with it because you weren't getting/paying for any other work.

 

Where do you get the documents about recalls of specials programs for the 05? I called up the NA mazda number and asked if there was any thing else besides the 80,000 cat converter and 100,000 engine warranty, and she said that was all. Can somebody link me to the 05 documents please and thank you.

 

Alot of those special programs were VIN specific. Recalls/SP's would show up if they're were any for your car. Maybe you should call and talk to another rep to get diff results; or call mazda dealer they can put your vin in the computer and tell you

 

Try registering your car at mymazda.com and see if there is any recall pending for your VIN.

 

I called MNAO and gave them my VIN, and they were able to confirm the warranty for the bracket - not for any other part of the assembly. I didn't mention the SSP82, so I'll mention that when I go back to the dealership (couldn't make it today). He denied there being a recall on the brackets. The dealership was pretty vague with me on what needed to be replaced, so I'll see if it is the bracket and hopefully get it swapped for free. I still intend on getting the reinforced bracket for the new clutch, though.

 

Dealership said it was the pedal + springs that needed to be replaced and not the bracket. Oh well, I'll change it with my friend eventually.

On a side note, does anyone know how to tell if your synchros are going bad? I feel like my 2nd and 4th gear ones might be going, especially 2nd. Even after holding the clutch down for over 5 seconds the transmission makes a winding down noise and it almost feels like metal on metal, but luckily no grinding yet. I'm wondering how much the new clutch and transmission fluid will help... Sad that a car with 50k miles would have any shifting issues. It could just be my imagination. I could attempt a video and try to get the sound I am talking about in there.

 

mine are finished, when you change gears at high speeds and rpm you should hear a grind going in to gear

 

No grinding for me, but do you think what I'm describing is a sign they are going bad? Also, what are you planning to do with yours or are you still under the powertrain warranty?

 

i have an aftermarket warranty, now my syncros need to be broken and not worn out so now i need to either brake them or buy some broken ones and show the warranty company lol

 

just let out clutch then push your shifter towards the gear you want to break as hard as you can, rev the engine to higher rpm.

 

just replace the fluid and report back. do the cheap stuff first.

 

I was planning to change to MT-90 tomorrow provided the shop that has it is open on Sundays. Thanks for the input, I'll report back with the results. Still intend on putting in the aftermarket clutch sometime this month, or early September. Might need to fix the pedal setup first, though.