Major Clutch or Transmission Outage. Solve this mystery!
 

I don't think I've ever had a 3 month span of driving my 8 without big issues.

Yesterday, driving towards home after about a 4 mile drive, I noticed that after every gear shift there was a little 'vuvvvvvv' sound. Clutch pedal felt fine and shifts were easy, but there was a rubbing 'vuvvvv' sound lasting a second after every shift. My windows were open and it was kind hard to hear. Pedal gave me not 'rough' feedback.

Okay, here's where it gets fun. At a light, car is in neutral and as I depress the clutch pedal to get into 1, I notice a 'grindy' 'rough' feeling immediately. A second later, the entire clutch looses 'spring tension'. Even after I remove my foot off the clutch, it doesn't come back up. Nevermind that, even though I'm moving and the 'engine' revving sound fine, there is a VERY LOUD 'clanging', 'screeching' noise. Shifting becomes very very difficult. I was near home so I drove about another 0.2 miles and parked. I could smell burning from the engine compartment too.

After I parked, the car was in neutral. What I did was just listen to it. The clutch pedal was still very loose and when depressed would cause a loud 'marble violently rolling around in a metal can' kind of sound. When I lifted the pedal up with my foot, it would stop the clanging noise but would make a loud screeching, grinding noise. Engine sounded fine.

This morning, it started fine with loud noises again with the clutch pedal still loose.
Two things are interesting. One, when the car is off, and I pump the clutch pedal, it kinda tightens up, but still has mad slack. Second, I cant shift anymore. Locked no matter where the clutch is.

Any thoughts?

I am have a choice of tow via Mazda Roadside to either:

Al Hambra Mazda
Galpin Mazda
Star Lincoln,Mercury,Mazda
Browning Mazda

Please tell me if you can, which dealership you would pick. I was thinking Browning. They are large and likely have a competent service department.

Thank you all for your help. Regardless, I am now second guessing my committment to Mazda 8's. I can't seem to get anymore joy out of it without it breaking down. Already had my engine replaced.

Thanks....

wow,

no info at all?

we are to guess what is wrong with your car..

maybe year, mileage?

simple help!

first guess will all the info you have given. broken clutch bracket.

beers :beer:

I am sorry. I didn't mean to not give you anything!

2004 MT. 53000 miles. Reman engine at 45000 miles.

Never raced. Spirited driving at times, but otherwise highway driving as of late.

Just got an estimate: $1450!!

clutch pressure plate 286.12

clutch disc 229.17

throw out bearing 58.80

pilot bearing 12.88

seal for pilot bearing 3.14

fork throw out bearing 32.00

fly wheel 194.60

labor: 655

engine mount 150.73
labor 98

I'm screwed.

Curious to know how they came up with "engine mount".

Throwout bearing, broken clutch disc, or cracked pressure plate.

Might as well buy a clutch kit and throw it in. You can do it yourself in your driveway in about 3 hours using my DIY writeup elsewhere on this site using nothing more than jackstands and hand tools. It'll cost you about 3-400 bucks for a good clutch kit.

Or you can pay the dealer at least a grand to do their thing, and get less satisfaction. Don't be a check writer, get your hands dirty!

I'd rather have the aftermarket clutch kit, than stock components, for the same price, personally.

Ah, cool then. By the sound of it you were quoting him on oem/stock replacement parts.

Two thumbs up for Charles! He always does the best for our rx8 community!

well i seem to be going thru that.. and i know i need a new clutch.. but i need to check and man those prices sound better than stealrership.. so imma get at yu C. Hills..


goodluck to yu OP.. everyone is being very helpful

First, you guys are awesome.

I live in an apartment community where I can't do the work, BUT! I know a guy who does excellent work. I think I am going to pay the stealership their 100 diag fee and get my car towed to this guy.

As for the parts, I am going to look into a non-OEM clutch kit like you guys mentioned. Charles, I am going to PM you once I do a little research. My board exams are next week and I will search for this stuff on my study breaks.

Any other aftermarket clutch kits you guys recommend? Should I buy the whole clutch kit or have this guy tell me only the things that need replacing so I am not engaging in defensive part changing as Charles mentioned?

You guys have been a huge help. Now to find cheap towing from Browning Mazda to my guy in Costa Mesa!