I am virtually certain that I need a new clutch. I have 25K miles on the car. It was my first manual car, so there was probably a rough couple thousand miles when I learned how to drive it.

The clutch pedal engages at the very top of the pedal movement. I have almost no wiggle room. At least as a result I have learned to more accurately match revs and don’t really need to rely on the clutch to speed up/down the engine.

Once engaged, I have never had any slipping or other problems. But, if I even slightly (and I mean slightly!) depress the clutch and floor the gas, the clutch looses grip.

So, my question (which probably has been answered, but I could not find it myself) is:

1. I am a normal diver, no racing or anything
2. Should I just replace it with another standard RX-8 clutch?
3. How much would I pay for part and labor?
4. Would you trust a non-Rx8 dealership to do this? Or can any mechanic really swap out an RX-8 clutch?

Thanks,
-Alex

 

Dealership will tell you its fine as long as it works. Best thing to do is have a tech ride with you so you can point the indicators out.

Typically a worn clutch hobbles and chatters when you put in second to third gear, or you may have trouble slipping it into reverse.

I think my dealer charges $90 an hour for labor and I think a clutch job is given about 5 or 6 hours. Ask around for good mechanics. Where are you located?

 

maybe your clutch pedal needs adjustment?

 

yea you may want to check to see if it needs adjustment. clutch engagement shouldn't be at the very top of the pedal movement on a stock clutch.

 

Have the dealer fix it.

 

Follow up questions:

1. As the clutch material wears off, wouldn't the engagement point move higher and higher? And thus towards the end of its life, it would be at the very top?
2. Or, are you guys saying that that is worng and that even a worn clutch would engage somewhere in the middle?
3. If I have to adjust the pedal, is that something I can do myself with "normal" tools?

 

Can anyone confirm hokiegl's questions above?

I have noticed that my clutch's engagement point has been gradually getting higher and higher, and now it's near the top. I've already checked the engagement point adjustment, and it's already at the end of the adjustment range. Also the clutch is losing its "grab", before I used to be able to coast in 2nd or 3rd at about 11mph (without applying any gas) but now it starts to bog.

My car has '05 MT has 52,000 miles, and I've done 2 track days. I don't abuse my clutch much (have done only a few launches), but I do drive spirited most of the time.

If a new clutch is in order I plan to get the Exedy Stage 1 Organic (unless someone has a better recommendation for a street-driven RX-8)

 

www.actclutch.com i think i'll get my clutch pressure plate and t/o bearing plus the tool from them when mine go's out.there prices are not to bad if you do it yourself!

 

Talk to Charles R. Hill @ BHR. He will guide you to your best option.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I'm certain that I'm looking at the right adjustment (it's the rod that goes into the firewall). I've also played with the play before (that sounded funny) so I know which is which. My clutch is definitely much stiffer than it was new. Does anyone know the technical reason behind this? It seems weird for the diaphram spring to get more inflexible with age.

I'm reading lots of good things about you Charles. Since my clutch pedal is also creaking like no other I might just get a bracket reinforcement from you too. I won't have the time to get someone to install a new clutch until about December so I just may wait for a BHR clutch.

I noticed from your site that your stage 1 clutches from SPEC are about $550 while the Exedy Stage 1 is about $312 (from Racing Beat). What are the differences between these clutches? I'm looking for a durable near-OEM feel replacement than has a slightly higher clamp load than stock.