I know a lot of people on the forums have asked about the Throw-Out Bearings in the RX8(because of the noise) and the most common answer is "its normal". But putting all of that aside. What can a bad Throw-Out Bearing do to a car? Because I was on Racing Beats site and ran across this. I'm interested to hear what everyone has to say about this.

Racing Beat Site <----------Click Here. Once on the site, use the left menu and go to "Clutch Components" then to "ThrowOut Bearing".

 

It is a sound over and above the normal sound. A bad one sounds like an airplane, or a diesel bus. Well..., it just sounds bad. A seized one will wear out the tongues of metal on your pressure plate (plate springs). It also may just blow out and damage the running surface (where the tob touches) of your main drive on your transmission.

 

A bad throw-out bearing makes a horrible grinding sound. IF it fails completely you can blow your clutch up. The throw-out bearing is the interface between the clutch fork and the pressure plate.

 

Why didn't Mazda put a better one in the RX8? People are thinking their Throw-out bearing are dead because of the noise!

 

If you are referring to the noise you hear coming from the area of the clutch/transmission when the transmission is in neutral and the clutch is disengaged (pedal all the way out), that is not the throw-out bearing. It is an idler shaft in the transmission.

 

Go48 is spot on, it is nothing to be concerned about...
When you put your clutch pedal to the floor and are hearing a noise that would be the throw out bearing (thrust bearing)...which again is normal.
The throw out bearing is only used when you change gears.

This subject has been done before...do a search..

ALL Mazda's (RWD's) from about 1982 have this quirk.. nothing is going to fall apart... if it is replace it will only come back in a few thousand miles (ks).
Mazda went from a heavy duty type ball bearing bearing to a smaller type (light weight) thrust bearing.

I would suggest that IF and WHEN your clutch plate wears out you replace the Throw out bearing and clutch pressure plate at the same time as your clutch plate.
Your "good" mechanic should and will suggest this also.

R Beat advice is correct, generally if you remove your gearbox to do a clutch, you always inspect/replace the thrust bearing.

 

I should add that IF you hear a very noisy (loud) sound when you put your foot on the clutch pedal to the floor, take it to your dealer to get it checked out...
you really cant give definite mechanical diagnosis in a forum..