I own a 2004 RX and have been looking at a few cars lately because a difficult problem with arthritis is making it very uncomfortable to drive my car.

I test-drove the new RX and noticed that the clutch is significantly softer than mine. I mean many times softer and I was wondering why? Is this something that can be upgraded?

I'm not a mechanic or anything like that, but it might make the difference for me to keep the car longer or trade it as the problem becomes worse..

Any suggestions, ideas or comments will be appreciated.

W.

 

I'm really confused. Your arthritis makes you want to get rid of you RX-8, but you want to buy a new one? and you want a more firm clutch pedal feel which would put more pressure on your joints... I feel like I'm not understanding your post.

 

every single car's clutch feels different. even its the exact same model year and trim. the "soft" clutch feel could be a lot of things. or your "harder" feel could be something not working right in your current 8.

if you have arthritis problem, dont drive Manual transmission car.

sucks to be you, but thats the only way out.

 

Well, so the answer is that I would like a softer clutch so I can KEEP my RX8. It's my third RX and I really like it, but the clutch is making my left knee hurt and so if I can't find a solution I will have to consider an automatic.

The difference was pretty big in terms of softness, and not only on the RX, it was also a lot softer on a Mazdaspeed 3 that I drove that day and even on my neighbor's M3.

Does anybody know if there is any way to soften my existing clutch?

Really appreciate the info.

 

i had this issue.

clutch replaced with a good amount of the correct grease on the clutch disk on the imput shaft..

was amazing. just like a new 09.

beers

 

Thanks, I'll look into replacing it. What did it cost? Just so I don't get screwed...

 

it was ~400 bucks for the labor. + whatever you buy for a clutch. how many miles on the car? has the clutch ever been replaced?

btw, i have a stock clutch with ~5k miles on it i am selling. pm me if interested.

btw, you might add your location. it helps.

beers

 

I have been told by a few clutch pros that the clutch pedal may become harder to push down as the clutch wears due to the lowering pressure plate clamping height. I also have something that may help a bit, too.

 

^ Correct this is what I heard too.

As clutch wears it gets harder.

No Guarentee that a new one won't be just as hard or harder.

Get an auto or take the risk.

 

Install an 87-91 turbo II rx7 pressure plate. The clutch disc and throwout bearing are interchangeable. The plate is also dimensionally identical, however the rx7 pressure plate is about 60-70% as stiff as the rx8 stock plate. I know, because I have both.

It's not like the rx8 needs a lot of torque clamping capacity...with all the ground thumping torque that NA rotaries produce.

 

i just cried a bit. thanks for that!

beer

 

why dont u just use ur right foot? lol sorry I couldnt help myself

 

I use two of my three legs to operate the car.... my left leg has arthritis.

 

^ha wow!