SkoobZ

I just looked around and realized that my post is pointless and I answerd my own question, but i didnt see a whole lot of pix so here goes story and info, if I am wrong please let me know.

I have an '04 gt mt, and about 9-12 months ago my clutch began to squeek, the squeek would come and go, i thought maybe the clutch just needed to be lubed, then yesterday i was driving down the road and heard a sort of "pop" or "clunk" noise as i pressed in on the clutch and then all of a sudden my clutch seemed to loose about 1/2 of its "back pressure" in travel, like the first 1/2 to 3/4 of depressing the clutch had no restance. I finished my trek to work and then back home being careful with the clutch and almost having to put my foot through the floor to get the clutch to work.

After getting home I looked at my clutch plate and saw nothing wrong, then i came on here, kinda found what I was supposed to be looking for and found that it was broken, see attached pix.

My question is what can be done? I saw this thread, https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...t=clutch+pedal but is that the only option? besides taking it to mazda and buying a brand new oem that may fail too?

Thanks!

Jon316G

iTrader: (1)

The RR bracket, weld it, or new pedal are the only options.
But you don't want to continue driving until this is corrected!!!
Also read through this site:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...tch+pedal+snap

SkoobZ

Sounds good to me, may have a buddy weld it if possible, but looks like im gonna order Complete Reinforced Clutch Pedal Bracket Assembly. Thanks for the quick reply! Hope the pix and story help the next guy!

DarkBrew

Yes, please, to anyone with a working clutch pedal; inspect your pedal assembly! Take some preventive measure!
Do not wait for it to snap!

To the OP: Please report the failure http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm

Tweek

just snapped mine as well..

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

I guess you decided Not to take preventive measures.

Phish806

iTrader: (4)

I noticed mine was squeaking a while back. Finally took it out and looked it over. IT was definately cracking. Glad i found it when i did, jsut took it to work with me the next day and welded it up. Good as new. better infact

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

In most cases, once the pedal is broken/cracked, welding repair does not do the job all that well because the metal is shitty and thin. That is why we only offer brand-new OEM units already welded. The Race Roots bracket may help with pedals already broken but I have no first-hand knowledge on that issue and there are several people using the bracket who could better testify to the efficacy of that particular product.

I do know that our welding has never failed.

Phish806

iTrader: (4)

When i welded mine, i welded the front side of hte crack along wihtthe back side. It was not all that hard to weld, but then again i do weld for 75% of my job. i also tacked and welded hte other sections of hte clutch that had not faild YET.

Charles R. Hill

iTrader: (7)

Steve, would you say the average DIY-type might use too much current and blow through the thin metal?

I used to have the same frame of mind regarding others' abilities to do what I do, i.e. engine building and such until I actually came to understand that not everyone is as lucky as I was to have the auto tech education that I got in high school.

Point being that most people cannot weld, educated or not, and that is why I farm that stuff out to one iof the best in the country.

Phish806

iTrader: (4)

It is rather thin, however i just assumed that if you have acces to a welder, you know how to use it rather well. But, alot of people do have that i can do anything attitude even if htey are clueless. I suppose i jsut take that skill for granted. however, it does come in rather handy alot.

SkoobZ

I ordered the replacement and pulled out the old one, if there are any lurkers just checking out the post and you havent looked at this on your car DO IT NOW!! Here are some more pix. As you can see part of the bracket accually was broken off. I also had to remove the attached security sustem box, it wasnt hooked up to anything and im kinda confused what it was doing right next to my clutch...My alarm and keyless entry still works so I dunno

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

Remote start?

SkoobZ

Doubtful, it's a ford part, and remote start on a manual is a no, no. I was thinking maybe some type of lo-jack or onstar?

Clutch pedal replacement get to my door quick I miss my rx8

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

Why is it a no no? as long as you have a shifter position sensor and and ebrake sensor it's fine, used to have it in my old 5spd mx6.

I miss my 8 too, just got AP then I blew my knee out wakeboarding and I havent been able to drive since.... Stupid O' Donoghue's Triad

SkoobZ

I actually think that it's illegal in the state of California, we have a whole mess of stupid laws that make no sense, and I think I remember this being one of them.

Once I get new clutch I'll post up some install photos! It needs to get here yesterday!

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

There were/are a number of Ford parts in our 8's, thanks to the corporate teaming at the time. The starter interlock switch is also a Ford part.

What I think Rotary Machine meant was that an aftermarket installer may have disconnected the pictured security module when installing a remote-start system.

I'll bet remote start on a manual transmission is illegal in many states due to the aforementioned required bypass of the starter interlock. It's a lawyer risk averse thing.

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

That seems like a dumb law, perfectly legal here

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

haha Canada has one of the smallest population densities in the world... Im sure you can squeeze into one km^2 with the 3.425 other people in it. Plus, no emissions testing, allowed remote start, marijuana is practically leagal (still working on that one) and lots of BEERSS!!

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Molson ain't that great, but I do love Banff Nat'l Park

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

^ agreed but i'm more of a coors guy... especially if I can get my hands on some coors banquet

marksangenito

My clutch pedal broke, I called mazda USA customer service and asked if there was a recall, I knew there was not...

I kept talking to the guy and insisted it was a safety concern on a part that should never go out under normal use, and that it was lucky I did not get into an accident because of it. I kept reiterating how there was a design flaw and negligence to the testing of the product, and that I would hate to have to bring this to the attention of a lawyer a take the issue to small claims, which would set precedence for further cases of this same failure that resulted in a wrongful death, say a woman wrecking their car because they have no control when it fails on the highway. I also said I was about to make a complaint to the national highway safety institute. I did make the complaint and was contacted about the issue and they were aware of it, a lot of pedals are starting to fail at about the 5 year/75k mile mark, especially with the 04 mazda clutch mater solenoid using materials that makes the clutch harder to press in, and caused more stress on the clutch bracket.

In all honesty, my clutch pedal broke as I was getting onto the highway and I was lucky to not cause a wreck, but merely a ton of honks...

With all that being said... they comped the part and repair at the mazda dealership and then made me sign a document when I picked it up the car that I had no further legal recourse against anything clutch pedal related, they also kept the failed part, as they were instructed by mazda USA to make sure to send it back to them.

Mazda knows there is an issue, but they are doing a fight club moment and know there should be a recall but wont until people die or its less expensive than settling a couple lawsuits against them. you just got to bitch enough to the right person until they realize that you are serious about it.

RotaryMachineRx

iTrader: (1)

^ Well done!