Clutch Pedal (breaking/snapping)
10-16-2009, 07:39 PM
#26
Hi guys.
My first post and it has to be a bad one. Just about an hour ago my clutch pedal broke. I just heard a cracking sound and next thing you know i was unable to shift into any gear. Thankfully it happened near my house and no danger came out of it, but i was on my way to get in the freeway. I would not like to think what would have happened if I was driving in the freeway. So what should I do now? Contact Mazda? File a complaint with NHTSA? I need to get this fixed asap.
thanks.
My first post and it has to be a bad one. Just about an hour ago my clutch pedal broke. I just heard a cracking sound and next thing you know i was unable to shift into any gear. Thankfully it happened near my house and no danger came out of it, but i was on my way to get in the freeway. I would not like to think what would have happened if I was driving in the freeway. So what should I do now? Contact Mazda? File a complaint with NHTSA? I need to get this fixed asap.
thanks.
10-17-2009, 04:07 PM
#27
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I had to fix this asap so my dad welded the bracket and reinforced it. I took pictures of the broken bracket and how the pedals were positioned for evidence. The gears seem to be shifting good now, i just have to go test it on the street. I know that more than likely this is just a temporary fix, but hopefully this turns into a recall. I have filed a complaint already, so let's see what comes out of it. Thanks for all for your help.
11-17-2009, 12:14 PM
#28
The 8umble 8ee Wankel
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soo...i am a victim s well. my clutch pedal also snapped, cracked, wutever u wanna call it...and this is the 2nd time this has happend. when i took it to mazda to get it fixed the first time they told me that the spring in the pedal assembly had broken and that it was only working off of hydraulic fluid. about 4 months later my pedal "snapped" the EXACT same way 
making my pedal extremely weak (to a point where sumtimes the pedal wont release back up) and really difficult for me to make my shifts (but could not put my car in reverse) i took it to mazda yesterday and they said the reason that my pedal keeps breaking is bcuz the springs on my clutch plate are too stiff or too "strong" of resistance against the pedal which causes the srping, bracket, or welds to break...now the repair is costing me 1400 to fix (which im refusing to pay) for a new clutch and a new clutch pedal assembly... woe is me 
making my pedal extremely weak (to a point where sumtimes the pedal wont release back up) and really difficult for me to make my shifts (but could not put my car in reverse) i took it to mazda yesterday and they said the reason that my pedal keeps breaking is bcuz the springs on my clutch plate are too stiff or too "strong" of resistance against the pedal which causes the srping, bracket, or welds to break...now the repair is costing me 1400 to fix (which im refusing to pay) for a new clutch and a new clutch pedal assembly... woe is me
11-18-2009, 12:13 AM
#29
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I received this e-mail yesterday - it seems the DOT is finally looking into the issue and even I no longer own an 8 or a Mazda this makes me happy for everyone that does.
Dear Mazda Owner,
My name is Emily Reichard and I am an investigator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the US Department of Transportation. I am interested in the report you filed with us regarding your Mazda RX-8 clutch pedal problem. Can you describe to me what happened when you were driving the problem occurred? Please try to include 1) How far you were traveling at the time, 2) If you were still able drive the vehicle in any gear, 3) prior warning lights or noises, 4) if the vehicle has been repaired, 5) did the problem place you in any unsafe or dangerous situations?
I am aware of the postings on the internet forums. I am interested in getting the details on your specific experience. Anything you can tell me would be very helpful in researching this issue. Thank you for your time and have a great day.
Dear Mazda Owner,
My name is Emily Reichard and I am an investigator with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the US Department of Transportation. I am interested in the report you filed with us regarding your Mazda RX-8 clutch pedal problem. Can you describe to me what happened when you were driving the problem occurred? Please try to include 1) How far you were traveling at the time, 2) If you were still able drive the vehicle in any gear, 3) prior warning lights or noises, 4) if the vehicle has been repaired, 5) did the problem place you in any unsafe or dangerous situations?
I am aware of the postings on the internet forums. I am interested in getting the details on your specific experience. Anything you can tell me would be very helpful in researching this issue. Thank you for your time and have a great day.
The exact same thing happened to me last night! Same conditions, driving down the road, went to shift gears, pop!
I took my 8 to the dealership this morning, not very far away. The pulled the transmission out. The clutch had burned out after the pedal broke. My clutch pedal didn't break, it bent in half. Total price as of this afternoon $1900 + tax, not to mention the 4 days without my 8. My warranty won't cover the work because it is a clutch problem, normal wear and tear. Up till it happened the clutch operated normally, no slippage, no indication of anything.
Anything that can happen to an RX8 has happened to mine:
- the visors broke on both sides, shorted out the electrical system and blew a fuse both times
- engine replacement at 20k miles
- flooded at 40k miles, had to replace battery after going through the de-flooding procedure and 3 weeks in the dealership.
- replace the front main seal, 2 O2 sensors, all the plugs at 75k miles
- now the clutch pedal, entire clutch, fly wheel...
All in all, total cost of repairs out of pocket, before warranty.... $20k
Once it is all done it will be like a new car.... anyone want to buy an RX8, I'm tired of fixing it...
2004 GT, silver metallic, leather red and black interior, fully loaded, 80100 miles, 20k miles left on the warranty (platinum warranty, bumper to bumper till 100k or July 28th 2011.
I filed a complaint with the DOT NHTSA tonight... I will post any feedback I get.... No doubt that this is a dangerous failure, Mazda should be responsible.
03-22-2010, 10:28 PM
#30
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At the risk of sounding completely ignorant...can someone tell me where the breaking point is and where to weld/reinforce the pedal? My car has 101 000 + miles on it and based on your posts I'm pretty lucky to not have it break yet. I know I'm probably posting in the wrong thread but theres alot of you that have welded the clutch pedal and know how to fix the problem so I figured I would post in this thread to guarantee getting an answer from someone who knows what they're doing. An answer ASAP would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
03-23-2010, 08:03 AM
#31
Surf Hard, Drive Hard
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^.................Hmmmmmmm............damn search button must be broken again?
Anyway, this thread has most of the info on the issue. See any posts with the paperclip symbol on them to see pictures. Some shots are good and some not so good. There are about two or three spots(issues) that show up on this assembly. I would start at the last page and work your way back in the thread looking for those paperclip symbols.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=brake+pedal
Anyway, this thread has most of the info on the issue. See any posts with the paperclip symbol on them to see pictures. Some shots are good and some not so good. There are about two or three spots(issues) that show up on this assembly. I would start at the last page and work your way back in the thread looking for those paperclip symbols.
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ht=brake+pedal
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