Hercules

I bought the car in because my clutch pedal was hard to push down. The car pulled fine, it didn't slip, nothing like that, and now this guy is telling me I need a new clutch, and it will be $1100 installed. I told him that I want to take a look at the clutch, but to be quite honest I have no idea what the hell to look for, nor do I have $1100 to give him right now out of pocket.

Somebody needs to give me some information on this, because I *KNOW* I didn't abuse the clutch, and since the car wasn't slipping and pulling just fine before I gave it to the dealership, I find it very hard to believe.

Help!

eclps0

It happened to me to they say my clutch is gone. But it does not slip and it feels fine, i thonk my dealer and your dealer are trying to screw us over for cash

Hercules

So what did you wind up doign? I called my mechanic and he laughed and said "tell them to hit the road, I'll take a look at it"... ******* dealerships **** me off like no end

BRealistic

Have you tried contacting the 800 Mazda service line?

eclps0

yeah another mech said it was worn but it did not to be replaced. I called masda usa complianing that the dealer wont flash my car, or any thing i ask them to do.

Hercules

Well I just talked with their technician at the dealership, and he said the reason the clutch is stiff is because the pressure plate is gone and that's not under warranty. I am irritated as hell, and I'm not sure what my options are. They won't put the car back together without charging me at least $300, so I'm in a tough spot.

Any help is appreciated.

BRealistic

How can the pressure plate "be gone" at 25k miles unless something was wrong to begin with? I say call the mazda 800 number.

Hercules

I called -- they said the entire clutch assembly is only waranteed for 12k miles or 12 months

They want to charge me over $500 just for parts, so if I am going to get the work done, I figure I may as well replace it with better parts. Any recommendations?

Hercules

How can I prove that now, if I'm at 25k miles? I think I'm pretty screwed

I have been looking at the Racing Beat clutch replacements... I can get all the parts I need for around $350. Are there any Racing Beat resellers out there that sell a bit cheaper?

Thanks!

BRealistic

But even the replacement of "wear items" is covered under warranty if the poarts are defective or were improperly installed. As was just mentioned- I would suggest it the flywheel/pressure plate must have been loose from the factory, which lead to the quick wear.

Hercules

Yea, but since I can't prove any of that... *sigh*

They already ripped the car apart and made the diagnosis, and if I want to have a 'second opinion'... they wil charge me to put it back together, at least $300 for which I can almost buy a new clutch and pressure plate.

I'm really in a bind

Nubo

I think it's up to THEM to prove something if they're denying warranty. On the other hand, I've read a lot of clutch/tranny threads so maybe it's worth the cash to get some better (aftermarket) parts in there?

BRealistic

Well, maybe have it towed as is to another place to have a new clutch installed. And have them inspect the original flywheel/pressure/clutch plate for signs of improper installation. It couldn't hurt.

Anyways, good luck.

Hercules

They said they can't do anything because it's past 12 months.. I had my car from day one when it was released -- it's nearly 2 years old now (come July).

Anyways.... I am looking at the Racing Beat clutches and pressure plates. The prices seem to be pretty reasonable, so I may just wind up going that route.

missinmahseven

Have you read the warranty papers that came with the car? A booklet, actually. Any such exclusion should be spelled out in that booklet. I don't have access to mine at this second, but somehow I think your dealer is trying to weasel out of the repair, and screw you over, at the same time.

Get that booklet and read it, fine print inclusive. Arm yourself with knowledge and patience, then tackle your dealer through whatever means you have open to you. Dont let 'em get away with denying a warranty coverage, especially with tales of 8s with improperly torqued (due to a bum wrench!) flywheel bolts.

eclps0

i have 33,000 miles and my clutch has felt weird since 8000 miles I told my dealer about the feeling and they did nothing. and around 28,000 miles tehy had to rebuild my tranny because some gears were missing teeth. It turns out that the pressure plate was loose or something in that nature.

Fanman

Try www.rx8store.net. The discounts on RB products is not huge, but they have a nice flywheel & clutch (which is ACT I believe). That is a good package. OR go to the RB website & you can get all the clutch parts from them. Sucks what happened. I would probably try to get a 2nd opinion. Sounds like your dealership is trying to screw you. Worse off is that you pay for a tow AND the tranny job.

Hercules

How did they find out the plate was loose? And was it covered under warranty?

BRealistic

The warranty booklet ha a long list of things not covered under warranty. On egroup is conveniently vague and called "maintenance at owner's expense", and includes :worn brake and clutch linings" but doesn't mention rotors or pressure plates. Hmm.

Brice-RX8

My understanding is that the clutch material itself is only warrantied for 12/12k but the pressure plate, flywheel, ect are covered under the 50k warranty because they are not parts that are normally worn like brakes and clutches themselves. If the pressure plate is in fact the problem I would get a written document saying that and that they will not cover it and take that up the chain as them deyning a warranted part.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

My last clutch on my MX-6 lasted 100,000 miles. I drive hard but don't abuse it. If the clutch fails on my RX-8 at 25,000 miles they will have to deal with a VERY irrate owner.

Razz1

RB clutch and plate are good.

Find the extra money and get the flywheel, you won't regret it.

But the flywheel will void the warrenty.