subduedracer

My 8 is making a rattling noise when it is parked in netral and the clutch pedal is not depressed. I'm not sure yet what it is. Has anyone else here had this problem?

wedge357

Check your heat shields (?)

gambit27

I have the same issue. Mines only 3 weeks old. Just that little rattle/scraping sound bothers the hell out of me. Anyone else with this issue out there?

Hung_horse31

Mine does it too. Here is a link that has been stated
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=clutch

subduedracer

I guess its normal. Sounds like hell. I wonder if when I install a performance clutch and pressure plate if it will go away?

zoom44

gear rollover

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ver#post911424

read teh whole thread not just my post:D

Xyntax

Save yourself the trouble from going to the dealership about this.

Most of the members here have been through this and we all get this response:

"It's normal"

It's the throwout bearing that's making that noise. It's harmless. I've learned to ignore it over time.

Pololo_RX8

I have this similar problem in my "new to me" RX8. I thought it was because of the MS flywheel but I believe it is ok then.

In my Miata when I installed a lightened flywheels I developed this noise and some chuttering... but I guess with this 8 this is normal, right?

It doesn't bother me.. It just tells me... "get off the neutral and get going"..

Also in San Jose..

Carlos

Chrisbert

It's not the throwout bearing, its gear rollover. Throwout bearing is used when the clutch pedal is pressed in.

Xyntax

Yes, it is used when you press the clutch pedal. But what happens when you don't press the clutch pedal? It is free and loose, which creates that noise. This topic has been discussed so many times that it's no longer debatable. Members here and the dealership will tell you the same thing. Save yourself the trouble.

kw1k

I also have the problem i hate it!

Go48

Replace the tranny oil with a quality synthetic like Redline (of proper grade) and that will improve the "problem".

kw1k

so wat are the good types of brand? redline? is one im lost?

Xyntax

I had mine replaced with Redline synthetic (both trans and diff), but nothing's changed.

mlino01

Mine does this to ,seems to be louder when the motor is cold.

TCReedy1

This topic comes up pretty much every month with frustrated RX8 owners asking whats the rattling / scraping / whirring noise from the trans in neutral. It goes away when the clutch pedal is depressed. I went back to my dealer who showed me some official Mazda service document stating that it was normal. Well, as an automotive Chief Engineer working in the industry, I can assure you it most certainly is not normal. Whilst at the dealer I got into a brand new car to compare to mine and the new car did the same thing. I`m not sure that the guy talking about the throwout bearing is correct - that is a good potential diagnosis but I think its actually due to what we call crankshaft torsional vibrations which are totally normal in any internal combustion engine and are due to firing pulses from the pistons into the crankshaft. I think that even in neutral, the RX8 has some "drag-torque" between the engine and transmission (hence other owners complaints about a clunk when engaging first or reverse gear). That drag torque is not de-coupled until the clutch is depressed fully. With the clutch released and the trans in neitral the slightly unusual third, sixth and ninth orders of vibration coming out of the crankshaft are exciting the gearbox layshaft or intermediate shaft and are making all the parts attached or in contact with that shaft rattle very nicely. I think It is a problem directly due to the rotary engine configuration and potentially a poorly designed crankshaft damper pulley. Without pretty major engineering effort, it will not be resolved by Mazda. We probably have to learn to live with it.

Tom Reedy - Chief Engineer Vehicle Engineering, Ricardo Inc.

zoom44

its gear rollover that is more easily heard in a rotary powerd vehicle than piston cars. also more easily heard in this car because of the location of driver engine and tranny. most people have never heard it because they are coming from four boinger slush box wrong wheel drive vehicles, where they are much more isolated from such noises.

zoom44

which one is the crankshaft damper pulley?

subduedracer

The noise in my 8 has gotten worse over time. It wasn't as loud before. This car has some great engineering. However, it has some very poor engineered items as well. It seems like this cars weakest link is the transmission. I wonder how hard it would be to transplant a T-56 gearbox into a RX8?

HeelnToe

Yup. Mine too. Goes away when the clutch is pushed in, as others have said.

mmats69

I have the same problem as well. Goes away when the clutch is pressed. Was gonna take it to the dealer but won't waste my time now. Thanks for all the help.

RX-8888

Zoom is right on with this issue....

WHEN CAR IS STATIONARY AND ENGINE AT IDLE.....

Its just gear rollover (idle gear) in the transmission, as cars idle speed, engaged clutch plate moves the idle gear in tranny...which is normal, because the tranny is under zero load...not moving the car (weight) and not engaged in any actual cog.(1-6 gear). It goes away when you press the clutch pedal down because you are dis-engaging the clutch plate from the trannys idle gears.........read on...

If you get a noise when you push and hold your foot on the pedal to the floor, this is the throw out or thrust bearing...which again is normal, even though you did not hear it in the cars first 1000 or so miles.... it will only come back again if the thrust bearing is replaced with a brand new one.

Both these conditions are not a defect in Mazda's and will not give you ANY long term problems with your clutch or transmission.

It is not heard only in RX-8's, but all Mazda rear wheel drive cars including Miatas(MX-5's).

Don't worry learn to live with it.
Hope this helps.

khoney

So why did my rattling go away after they replaced the clutch?

Ericok

Don't know about the clutch replacement fix but it's definitely NOT the throwout bearing. The throwout bearing doesn't even begin to spin until the clutch pedal is depressed and the bearing race comes in contact with the clutch springs. If your throwout bearing is spinning while the clutch is not depressed, then it's an adjustment problem. I've owned a lot of manual transmission cars and it's not unheard that there's rattle while in neutral (granted it's annoying as hell) - might try a heavier transmission lubricant.

xabjw4

Yea,

I agree with Zoom44. I heard the same noise on day one. We researched it and got the facts and it seems logically to be "GearRollover" as described in many previous threads. Clutch, throwout bearing, pilot bushing etc. just don't make sense.

Here is some info I saw a year ago and copies it from somewhere:
________________

***FYI

TRANMISSION GEAR ROLL-OVER NOISE
Applicable Models
Model Starting S/N Ending S/N
2004 RX8 00000000 ZZZZZZZZ

Some customers may complain of a whirring noise from the transmission while at idle N in neutral. The noise may also be described as a light rattling when the AC compressor cycles on. This noise is normal N no repairs should be made. Confirm the gear rollover noise by depressing the clutch pedal, the noise should be eliminated. Compare noise to another vehicle to verify this is a normal characteristic. 1. No repairs should be attempted on vehicles with gear rollover noise.
***
_____________

My Dad suggested I go to a synthetic in the gearbox and rear diff. and we went with Amsoil 75W-90 in the gearbox and 80W-90 in the rear. All is well.

Seems you have to live with it. I can even hear it, I believe, as I go through the gears somewhat. (maybe only in my head but you can feel it in the gearshift I think) Only in six gear, is it not noticed. That's my juvenial 10 cents.

Mainly I drive it, you should too.!!