Clutch Pedal SNAP OFF 8 Year Warranty-Recall ~~~
12-15-2007, 01:31 AM
#76
Ya...I've been secretly in the shadows waiting to take in my car...I know they are going to want to replace the trans...after they get done, I'll be slapping the bracket on...
So hurry it up already...
So hurry it up already...
12-15-2007, 08:02 AM
#78
The bottom line is that Mazda is only going to stand behind their engineering as long as it is used with factory-supplied parts. It makes no sense that the factory brackets are falling apart after 50K miles WITH a stock clutch. However, if you have a stiffer pressure plate, the spot welds on the factory pedal will break even sooner like mine did. That's what MNAO is saying based on the info they got from their dealer.
Now is where you all yell at me to HURRY UP!! I am. Prototype #1 is on its way to my house.
Now is where you all yell at me to HURRY UP!! I am. Prototype #1 is on its way to my house.
another thing is that I dont like that Mazda Tech Line's tone, One time fix only for what ? they grant me a Xmas wish or something? Too bad I have no way to contact Mazda Japan directly ... The design came from Japan, so its useless to talk to MNAO.
12-15-2007, 11:19 AM
#80
Registered
The bracket should not break. If these things are coming apart at spot welds, as everyone reports, they're not welding enough spots or there's a defect in the welding process.
Mazda has to publish specs for clutches. For fun, you might check with whoever makes your clutch to see if it satisfies Mazda's specs. If it does, then Mazda can't wriggle out of the warranty. No more than they could it if you used a Fram oil filter or a NAPA fuse.
Ken
Mazda has to publish specs for clutches. For fun, you might check with whoever makes your clutch to see if it satisfies Mazda's specs. If it does, then Mazda can't wriggle out of the warranty. No more than they could it if you used a Fram oil filter or a NAPA fuse.
Ken
12-15-2007, 12:48 PM
#81
The politics of this may follow the same as they did with the '04 models engine failures wherein Mazda wouldn't admit to a problem and just addressed the issue begrudgingly on an individual basis. Even though we could easily throw together a list of 50+ people who have had this problem they wouldn't admit anything. That's my view, anyway.
12-15-2007, 05:16 PM
#82
The bracket should not break. If these things are coming apart at spot welds, as everyone reports, they're not welding enough spots or there's a defect in the welding process.
Mazda has to publish specs for clutches. For fun, you might check with whoever makes your clutch to see if it satisfies Mazda's specs. If it does, then Mazda can't wriggle out of the warranty. No more than they could it if you used a Fram oil filter or a NAPA fuse.
Ken
Mazda has to publish specs for clutches. For fun, you might check with whoever makes your clutch to see if it satisfies Mazda's specs. If it does, then Mazda can't wriggle out of the warranty. No more than they could it if you used a Fram oil filter or a NAPA fuse.
Ken
next thing you know it will be you're not using Mazda Coolant, not using Mazda Engine Oil, Not using Mazda blah blah blah .... I know about the Mos. Act, but still, no one has the money to fight them in court, even they're wrong.
12-15-2007, 11:03 PM
#85
The problem, for me, is that the time it would take(about 6-7 years) to pursue a case such as this would seriously pull me from my current focus. I had a shot at suing another county judge, in a case of my own, but had I wasted time doing that I wouldn't have been able to eventually get custody of my kids like I have. Like they say; pick your battles.
*checking around the net for lowest price on the disc*
12-21-2007, 03:56 PM
#86
Administrator
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bumpety bump
12-21-2007, 04:18 PM
#87
Administrator
iTrader: (7)
My Jedi Powers sensed a disturbance in the Force...
12-21-2007, 07:40 PM
#88
One ball, corner pocket
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This story is a prime example of how Mazda handles this stuff these days, IMO. They have replaced a lot of transmission and clutches and my hunch is that it is all from a crummy pedal. If the pedal fails to transmit all of its motion to the plunger/slave cylinder, there is a chance that the clutch will not fully disengage. The result is all that we have seen; burned clutches and grinding synchros.
Back story. I have two RX8's...an 04 and an 05. The 04 has always been a bit different on the clutch/driving side. Everyone who has ever driven my car has always commented on my clutch. The engagement has always been very low, almost completely bottomed out to get the clutch to disengage. People at 10-20k miles would ask me what aftermarket clutch I had. Shortly after 20k miles I had no clutch. It was so bad I couldn't get the car to drive up a shallow drive way with a slight incline. Replaced the clutch with an ACT clutch and HD pressure plate (also put in a ACT flywheel while I was in there). Things never got any better with the system...still had the weird clutch engagement point and started shortly after to have problems with 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears at high RPMs...lots of grinding even with very deliberate clutch pedal/shifting.
Transmission was shot at 60k miles and replaced after Mazda unsuccessfuly reinstalled my torn apart transmission (when they came back with a 3800 bill just for a new transmission, and who knows how much more for labor...I just told them to put the ruined transmission back in...but they weren't able to put it back together.....they ended up giving me a transmission as a good will gesture....of course, with no implied warranty or fault).
At about 70k miles I began to have problems with the new transmission. I was having a difficult time getting into 1st and Reverse at start up. It seemed that once the engine got warm, I didn't have to force the car into 1st or reverse....but eventually, I was completely unable to get the car into first at start up.
I called a friend who advise me to try and put the car into first gear prior to starting the car to see if I could. Sure enough, it was easy to get the car into first without any problems. Started the car and drove away without any problems. Same process had to be done with reverse, the car needed to be put into Reverse and then started. Even more fun when pulling out of a parking space. Reverse, start the car, back up...shut the car off, put in first, trun car on and drive away.
Reason for this....clutch was not disengaging.
I began to have squeeky pedal at this time as well (which from reading this and some other posts, is a precursor to pedal snappage).
At the time my friend and I diagnosed the clutch disengagement problem...I read some posts talking about clutch pedal adjustment. Not wanting to do this on my own...even after reading the DIY, I took the car down to the dealer. This was at 77k miles and was about two weeks ago.
The tech adjusted the pedal to "best opporating level"...but also told me that he had adjusted it "beyond spec" and that the problem I was experiencing was not a fault of the hydraulic system. He said that both the master and slave cylinders were operating fine, and that there was no concern with air in the system. He suggested that it may be due to a broken pressure plate or bent shift fork.
Driven the car about 1k miles since the adjustment, and last night, on a shift from 1st to 2nd...at normal gramma driving speeds......"SNAP"....clutch pedal is now attached at the hip to the brake pedal and I now have the same problem in shifting into 1st and reverse....and at high RPMs...can't pull the car out of the gear it is in. Example...revving up to 8k rpms in 2nd....I cant move the shifter to take it out of 2nd to move to 3rd...or even nuetral.
Took the car down today and they confirmed that it was a "bad weld" on the clutch bracket. I asked them when does a safety issue become a Mazda safety recall. I informed the service writer that there were plenty of people on the forum that had the same failure, and that this is a serious safety issue. He advised that I come back after the holidays so that the issue could be addressed properly. I guess Mazda is on vacation.
He, nor was I, aware of Version B bracket assembly, or that Mazda had already acknowledged a design flaw with a revised bracket.
I assume, that since this is a saftey issue, that mazda will cover the replacement regardless of warranty status or car mileage..?
Pics of my clutch pedal, with a stock/brand new one as reference.
Can someone identify the failure in the third pic...I'm having a hard time finding it...does someone have another pic of a failure to compare with mine?
12-21-2007, 10:45 PM
#92
12-22-2007, 02:00 AM
#95
One ball, corner pocket
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abbid, thanks for the work you did on the pic I posted above. It is still hard for me to see the problem, but like charles said, the issue may be more evident when the peddle is depressed. I should do that tomorrow. The pic you posted of your own, repaired bracket does highlight the area in question.
In reading the rest of the thread this evening....looks like I may have a failure down the road to the rod given that I have the ACT HD pressure plate.
In reading the rest of the thread this evening....looks like I may have a failure down the road to the rod given that I have the ACT HD pressure plate.
12-22-2007, 03:08 AM
#96
Lubricious
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I know you're probably happy to be done with it, but it sounds like there really needs to be a recall here. NHTSA needs the info in order to act. Anyone who has had this problem should file a complaint.
12-22-2007, 10:20 AM
#99
*clutch*...*SQUEEEAK*
wtf? did something just squeak??
*clutch*...*SQUEEAAK*
WTF...Something DID squeak...awwwww...son of a limp biscuit...Charles where art thou?!?!?
