thisisnotahonda

A while back I read a post about how when you let out on the clutch in neutral its normal for the rx8 to make some noise. Something about it being an "idler gear" or what not.

My 8 (2004 GT) has been doing this since I bought it, and when I first heard it I thought it was a throw out bearing, since I had a camaro that did the same thing and indeed that was the problem.


Now I notice that when I first start up the car, if I let out on the clutch, the RPM's go down, and the car will actually try to inch forward in neutral.

Also, I noticed since I got the car that when I am moving, no matter how slow, its difficult to get it into first gear. At a dead stand still its easy, even though it usually makes a nice "thunk" sound when going in. (only the first time though).

I received the recall thing in the mail, haven't bothered going in because my clutch pedal isn't "squeaky" as I've heard that's the usual symptom.

So....is this normal operation or should I have this checked out or look at it myself?

Thanks guys.

ken-x8

There's no recall on this. Just a TSB on a squeaking cut switch, and an extended warranty on the pedal bracket.

But your symptoms sound odd. You should have it checked out before it grows into something expensive.

Ken

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

If your creeping in neutral then the clutch is still engaging. If you can't get it into gear then your clutch is not fully engaging.

So it sounds like you have two issues.

Check you clutch pedal bracket for miss alignment, sticking and cracking of the bracket frame.

Try adjusting the clutch pedal "Freeplay".

ken-x8

A clutch problem would not cause the car to creep in neutral. The gears are disengaged, so no matter what the clutch is up to the input shaft isn't connected to the output. Unless something is gummed up and the gears are sticking to the shaft instead of spinning freely.

Not getting into gear would usually be a symptom of the clutch not disengaging...which could be from a broken pedal bracket, as well as a few other things.

If this was my car and I was putzing with it on my own, I'd start by replacing the transmission oil, and taking a close look at the condition (and contents) of the old oil.

Ken

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Do you mean to say that when you push the clutch pedal in and the shifter is in gear, that the car will still try to nudge forward? I ask because that would be incomplete clutch disengagement, which would also be related to your symptom in #2, as well.

If so, you likely have a failing clutch pedal assembly.

lateralus

iTrader: (1)

The slightly different sound in neutral is normal, but the starting to move when the car is in neutral isn't...

As for the not wanting to go into 1st when the car is moving, mine does the same thing sorta until I get under about 8 or 9 mph. I'm not sure if that is a problem or not, I always just assumed that it was so that you don't accidentally shift into first while driving but i am not sure at all. Since all my other gears are perfectly fine and I can shift to 1st once I'm below a certain speed I have never really worried about it... I'll be curious to find out if that is a problem or not too

Marklar

It's normal for it to be hard to get into first while moving, if you rev match it will go in just fine.

As for moving forward while in neutral, definitely not normal, something's wrong there.

lateralus

iTrader: (1)

Wait, how cold is it where you are?... I i just remembered a friend of mine having something similar to that happen (not in an 8) a while back and it wound up just having to do with something involving the viscosity of the gear oil before it got warmed up causing it to inch forward due to the drag between gears when the oil was still really cold...

If that is it then it would also explain why it only happens right after startup, since once you drive it a little while the oil warms up...

Like I said, that is just what I heard from a friend, didn't experience it myself so not positive, but that does seem like it could possibly cause that... Anyone else heard of that happening?

thisisnotahonda

I already changed the trans oil and the rear diff when I bought the car. The old oil didn't look too bad if I recall correctly. No metal shavings or anything.

No, when the shifter is in gear and the clutch pedal in the car goes nowhere and makes no noise.


Where is this located exactly? Don't know how to adjust the clutch pedal "freeplay", either. Tried to get a repair manual for this car but can't find one ANYWHERE. I'm a mechanic by trade but for much different things I have a book to guide me in the right direction.



Glad to hear it's normal, however I'm not a fan of revving the engine with the clutch engaged, that's a big no-no.


It's not real cold here, in Arizona. Even at this time of year it gets to maybe freezing temperatures at night. However, I have confirmed that it only seems to happen when it is right after start up.

ken-x8

Here ya go...

http://www.hi-impact.org/ryang/modif...8_manuals.html

It's the '04 version. If you search this site for FSM or "shop manual" a few others should turn up, but I think this is the most complete one. Near as I can tell no other edition has made it into cyberspace.

Ken

lateralus

iTrader: (1)

Rev matching your down shifts is a big no-no? I can understand not wanting to unnecessarily sit around revving your car with the clutch in, but rev matching your downshifts is pretty much required to get into a lower gear without having your transmission hate you.... Rev matching downshifts is a good thing to do, not a bad thing

04RX8man

My car does all of the above and has for the past 60k including after a trans rebuild at 18k...lurching forward is oil viscosity most likely...mine does it until the fluid gets warm(been in the 20's/30's here lately) I just let the clutch out really slow when I first start it to slowly get the gears moving so it wont' stall.....

1st gear is probably lock-out...how fast are you going when trying to get it in....I'venoticed mine goes in very easily at 5mph or slower...above that it's locked out.....this is also before and after trans rebuild...

rz-jacks

All of what you describe is normal, some of it shouldn't be but its just how the 8 is. It can be remeied tho.
If you want a smooth working tranny you will need to:

1- Change your tranny oil and go with some redline MT-90 (I just changed mine it made a huge difference, specially after a few miles when the oil has the chance to reach every part). Also gives you a chance to inspect the oil.

2- get the pedal issue under control. I personally went with the raceroots reinforcement bracket wich works nicely. its just a pain to install.

3- change the clutch hydraulic hose to a steel braided one. I haven't done this yet but I will pretty soon. I've notice that when I drive my car, at first, when every component (including the clutch hose) is cold, shifting into first doesn't produce that "thump". but after the hose heats up is starts expanding when you press the clutch so it becomes squishy, and the pedal feel becomes really bad. So like for example shifting to second sometimes feels like the clutch is not fully disengaged and the first gear "thump" starts occurring

jasonrxeight

when oil is old and becomes very this when cold, it is possible that when you let out clutch in neutral the car would move a little but should be able to stop with brakes. its the fluid inside the transmission sending some of the torque down to the drive shaft.
the 1st gear is very tricky on all RX8's just get used to it.
the clunk or thump you hear when you put in 1st standing still is normal its the syncro trying to stop the input shaft but sending a little torque down to the drive shaft.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

I think I meant to say with the clutch engaged in gear.

thisisnotahonda

Hmm, thats news to me. I've never had a problem with downshifting without rev matching. I thought that was the whole point of downshifting, to slow down the car with the engine to prolong brake life.


Anyway, thanks for the replies guys I guess I was getting a little paranoid, as I always seem to do with this car.

And thanks for the link to the manual. Much appreciated.

ken-x8

That was one of the points, especially in racing, back when brakes were not very durable. But even then you'd rev match so you were not just swapping clutch wear for brake wear.

Ken

04RX8man

^I'd much rather replace brake pads than a clutch lol....much much easier....