Brand New Clutch Explodes...
 

I know these have been mentioned before, but I needed some advice from some of you other '8 drivers. I have 13,000 miles on my RX8. It broke down at 11,960 for the first time. They had it for 40 days and REPAIRED the transmission. I drove it for 8 days, then it went back because it wasn't right. They then REPLACED the transmission and clutch. 5 days later (after already scheduling an appointment becuase it didn't feel right) my Clutch goes out. Mazda called yesterday and said "it absolutely exploded" and they aren't going to cover it. They said I abused it. I babied that car and know for a fact that didn't happen. The clutch appears to have got too hot, possibly from the tranny. The springs on the plate BROKE... How is that possible. I have pics I can email if anyone cares to give an opinion

They had the tranny off TWICE and didn't see a cracked disc?

Smells like the south end of a northbound bull.

call Mazda Corp. and complain.

I have called Mazda Corp, and they say it's over their head. They had the tranny apart twice, but they replaced the disc the last time, so it was brand new.

i have a 1400 mile on my tranny and i need to take it in. what did it sound like when u noticed some probs.

Hmm... I can post pictures, but a WAV file?... just kidding. It really wasn't making noises the first time. It had the normal rattle at idle until the clutch was pressed in. After the first repair it was whining going into 4th gear and much more difficult to get into 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and reverse. After the second repair it was doing the exact same thing. Then, while going about 40 miles an hour, I was shifting into 4th and it made a grinding sound, went into gear, then the cluch just felt funny

I'm amazed they had it rebuilt the first time..

If the repair was less than 12/12 ago it is a parts warranty issue.

If they really put a new disc in at that time.

Actually, that was a mistype. The first repair was at 11,960, not 12,960. They didn't put a new disc in that time. They put the new disc in the second time at almost 13,000. Then it went out. I wish I knew I mechanic that could look at this thing and tell me how my clutch got so it that it turned blue!

Asking for a little honesty here.

Is this your first manual tranny?

Well when they are brand new they are blue! I have one setting in front of me that I never put in my car because I knew these disc were fucking JUNK! I used a 3rd gen rx7 disc from mcleod rev lok sereis. I had the same problem as you when shifting. The clutch did not explode per say it broke off where it is riveted together. They are just shit IMO the whole drive line is shitty. Makes owning this car a living hell. Mazda fucked up and went too cheap on parts. Oh well they got my 32000 dollars. :(

Yes, my rivets came loose, but didn't completely break. I was not aware of the color of these discs. What would cause the springs to break? I have no idea what happened or what they are trying to say happened. As far as this being my first manual, no, I have owned 6 others.

So First- Tranny Repaired
Second-tranny And Clutch Replaced
Third- New Clutch Broke

Days Between Picking It Up After First Repair Until New Clutch Broke Is 8+5= 13 Days. Correct? 1k Miles In 13 Days, Correct? What Area Of The Country Do You Live In?

just another thought...Lemon? The lemon law is something like 3x for same repair, etc, etc. Could that be a possible route?

23k miles of abusive fun. No problems...

Zoom, yes, that is the situation. The car broke down the first time while I was on vacation In Arkansas. It was about a 500 mile trip by the time I got the car and got back home. I have been trying not to file Lemon Law, but I don't have much of a choice now since Mazda refuses to repair.

Ok Look There Is No Need Of Lemon Law Here But You Need To Get On Them About This. Do They Not Have At Least Some Guarantee Against Faulty Workmanship? I Mean Come One We're Talking About 13 Days Since They Returned Your Rebuilt Tranny Until The Time The Brand New Clutch Destroyed Itself. To Me It Makes Alot More Sense That They Did Something Wrong On The Install Than You Abusing It For 5 Days(time Spent With New Clutch). Which Tech Did The Work The First 2 Times? How Much Experience Does He/she Have? Is He/she A Master Tech? Did A Master Tech Over See The Work? You Need To Take This Up Past Dealership Level To The Regional Rep And If He Doesnt Help You Talk To His Boss Etc. Imho, There Is Something More Wrong That They Either Didn't Catch Or They Caused.

i would think every clutch on the market would have at least a 30 day warenty from teh manufacturer. who made those parts for Mazda?

Mazda parts have 12/12.

Labor is included if installed at a dealer.

That is exactly what I thought. But I can't get a response from the Service Manager, Customer assistance tells me it's over their head, and I don't have a car. I have to find a way to get my car from the dealership also. I have no choice but to proceed with a lawyer and the Lemon Law. Believe me, I tried everything possible, but after being without my car for over 60 days since 8/9/04 and them refusing to repair it I have to do something.

Thanks again...

If they dont have a mechanics lean on the car get that thing towed out of there asap!

Here is my latest Response from Mazda Service Manager:

Whoa, you're here in dallas?
Who worked on your car at Town North?
I don't know how you can blow up a clutch in such a short amount of time/mileage.
There are people on this forum doing 7k+ RPM clutch drops and not having this problem, so what constitutes clutch abuse?

That is what I am wanting to know. Ajax, we've met. I was "The guy with no Handle." It was on the second meeting. I was in the Base Model red '8. Anyway, I have been working with Michael Rhea, who seems to be helpful. However, the service manager isn't. Any suggestions?