Wait so I'm confused, I have to take my bracket off the car and send it to BHR, they weld it, and then they send it back to me? Isn't that a little inconvenient?

No.
A new one comes to you first and then you return your old one to BHR.

Oh, much better. Where do I sign up CRH? ^_^

Or... you can have a local shop weld your old one up for $30-$50 (in my case free) and order the bracket from Mazsport for $130 +/-.

... just offering an alternative guys! Don't want it to be one sided here.

I wouldn't spend the money on a new pedal, just install the Mazsport pedal reinforcement kit, problem solved. Remove the flex, remove the problem.

Ray, when i go home from Hondo for all the work.... i'm gonna send you my clutch bracket... assuming it hasnt broken on my mother already at that point...

Actually we have been welding the bracket in stock cars for a couple of years as part of a normal clutch job. We felt eliminating the flexing by reinforcing the assembly was a much better solution than adding additional welding to the weak factory metal. Customers have been calling the shop with broken brackets and we respond by saying send it in and for $175 we will repair your pedal assembly and install our reinforcement kit. If the pedal is not broken simply installing our kit will eliminate the problem.

ITs just sad that most poor rx-8 owners who never use the internet or found this forum will end up being tricked by Mazda and its dealership into thinking that "Oh, the Bracket must be a wear item .... dealership said so, and it cost 500 bux including parts & labor to replace !"

Yep, very true. I wonder if someone, somewhere, will start selling it as part of the clutch job?:icon_no2:

I dont know if my clutch assembly has issues, is there an easy way for a newb like me to do a visual? How much is the BHR solution as well?

My symptoms before I knew what was going on:

1. Was hard to get into 3 gear without a little grind (not sure why just 3rd)
2. Clutch seemed to not be as responsive when pushing in
3. Foot almost to the floor before fully engaging
4. SNAP! (your toast)

I was lucky enough to be less than 1/2 mile to my house so I had to start the car in 1st gear and drive home without shifting.

OUR OEM CLUTCH IS A PIECE OF S#1T!

Both Charles and Scott have good remedies but the real issue is that MAZDA needs to do something about it and the only way Mazda will do anything is if we get off of our asses and do what nycgps is telling us to do. Tell us again nycgps!

Sometimes I feel very sad.

Cuz the Clutch pedal on my Honda FIT has Much better construction than the PoS Mazda ... at least I cant move it left & right, no squeaking, etc. *sigh* and it cost nearly 1/2 the price of the rx-8. what the hell ...

maybe I should take a picture of it. shame on Mazda on this one.

This should be repeated on every page of this thread:

NHTSA form
 

OK, I filed my complaint with NHTSA. Go to this link as it is a little more direct to the form: File a complaint/Defects & Recalls

I hope I did it right!

This was the report I submitted. It's only the description field and not the whole report. The field converts everything to one long paragraph:

Clutch assembly faulty design. While driving and shifting gears (manual transmission) the clutch pedal assembly snaps, resulting in the loss of ability to shift gears. After pulling over to the side of the road, the car had to be started in 1st gear to drive to safety. The thin metal tears away from around one of the bolts that holds the assembly to the firewall. This is happening on other RX-8's of people I associate with to the point that welding up the old bracket is becoming common. Mazda has not come up with a stronger assembly since they introduced the RX-8 in 2004. The alternatives to correct the issue (out of warranty) is to: (A) Purchase a new one from Mazda. (B) Have your old assembly welded or purchase a remanufactured welded one. (C) Purchase a bracket that adds support to the assembly I did both B & C, Welded and added support.

To search their database: Search for Complaints
Choose "Vehicle" then click "Search Selected Type"

How about use Sevenstock to bring more awareness?

Don't mean it as shout it out while the guests are on stage and try to corner Mazda type of deal, that would be rude. But... since fellow owners have some chance to walk around and talk to other owners, may be it should be brought to their attention and ask see if they have the same issue and let them know that we are trying to get more people who do have the same issue to report this to NHTSA.

It's hard to understand why Mazda is not recalling cars immediately to fix this problem before there is a serious accident as a result of this clutch failure. The prior knowledge provided via this thread and the official complaints would make their case almost indefensible and could result in huge payouts in damage claims.

Fight club is a great film...

why? because if they do this is going to be a massive recall, cuz it means that they have to recall every single Manual transmission Rx-8 back, replace the faulty part + labor. thats massive amount of money.

anyone know how many MT rx8s have been sold so far?

Until this issue actually resultes in an accident, Mazda isn't going to do much about it. No doubt they will push it off as "customer abuse" because it's not happening with enough of a percentage of RX8's. Plus, it seems some of those effected have installed heavier clutches, which as we know, voids your warranty for pretty much anything drivetrain related (barring any Mazdaspeed parts).

Yeah, it sucks giant monkey ballz believe me. I wasn't happy about choking up the cash for the new brakcet but it made enough difference in my pedal feel it was worth the cash. Not to mention if I snapped my pedal I'd be wishing I had taken care of it before hand.

thats what they said to me

"customer abuse" wtf....

*sigh*

even stock car breaks ... they still gonna claim its customer abuse ...

Mazda ... what the HELL !!! SERIOUSLY !!!!!!!!!!!! Do you want someone to die before you do anything about it ? If thats your company's policy, I really really REALLY have to re-consider b4 I buy another Mazda Vehicle.

f*k it!!!... my RX-8's (which I bought used 2 weeks ago) clutch pedal started to squek at me this morning !!!... after reading this thread... omg!!!

That can be explained by other things.
There is a Mazda TSB offering one explaination.
MT - UNUSUAL NOISE WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...11-06-1724.pdf

Well, since I've already sent my car to them to have a look at the CEL, I've just called them to have a look at the famous "clutch braket" because it started squeking at me this morning (like yelping for attention).

But, when I asked them to have a look into it, they were like, "clutch braket"?? Specifically, what r you concerned, sir? I'm guessing I was too specific, so I told them the clutch gave me a squeking sound this morning when I press on the clutch pedal. The service advisor said, 'ok, will do' :Eyecrazy: :Eyecrazy:

I may be wrong, but it sounds more like the spring. I have sprayed silicone on the moving parts but mine still squeaks. ordered the switch mentioned in the bulletin and will see if that works.

there has been discussion that the bracket is recieving a differant leverage than what it was designed for.

The size of the person changes the angle and leverage on the pedal.

You see, not everyone has this problem.

If you took a poll I bet you would see lees than ten.

Well damn! Size DOES matter! :)

1. SilverEIGHT - 5'10", 185lbs, Drive with right knee almost touching the dash.

Well luckly for me, the local Mazda dealer is going to warranty the pedal. I order the mazsport reinforcement to make sure this doesn't happen again though. Hope you guys have better luck with your dealerships

I'm not trying to make excesses for the design. I was just trying to say that there may be other reasons for his noise other than the peddle collapsing. You need to check everything throwing parts at a problem.
I tend to study everything to death. It's the reason it takes me so long to complete a project.

Thanks Jim, our kit not only eliminates the flex but also makes a VERY significant difference to the pedal feel. We appreciate your business, Scott

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-aftermarket-performance-modifications-23/new-product-mazsport-clutch-support-bracket-149245/

i think it is kind of simple. looking at this bracket i do think if people would put straight pressure---pushing straight up and down---then it would be weak but ok.
trouble is most people do not do that. then over time a weakness developes and then it just gets worst. it may be a good safety feature but it doesnt work well.
oldragger

well, chalk up another victim to the curse of the clutch bracket. I got a call last night from a buddy of mine Newcastle stating that his had snapped. I'm just thankful this didn't happen while we were all out in Vegas last weekend or as we were all trying to pass that damn Dodge Ram on the mountain road. That would have been B A D ! ! ! :eek:

BHR reinforced bracket has been ordered. :rock:

maybe its time to tell your buddy to report his problem to NHTSA ? :aroused:

way ahead of ya bro. He a member on here, just doesn't post much so I sent him the link.


Ray: I'll make sure that pedal gets out to you ASAP. Thanks for sending that pedal out so quickly.

Jedi contact powers FTW!

I'll get that to you ASAP. Thanks for the immediate help in regards to this matter CRH.

I'll be sure to file that form.

Mazsport's kit is on back order...

Mazmart or MazSport?

you mean Mazsport

Sorry, Mazsport. It's corrected now.

Waaaaaaay back order.

It's worth the wait.

But is it worth getting stuck on the side of the road?

We filled the majority of orders last week guys and we will be caught up and in stock this week! We appreciate your business, Scott

Absolutly! Even if you don't have any reason to suspect your clutch pedal is bad I'd suggest getting it replaced as the tig welded version that BHR provides gives you a much better feel and more constant response. Plus, you have the peace of mind knowing you won't be stranded someplace cause of a broken pedal.

Here are some things to think about...

BHR will NOT charge you until your item is ready and shipped
BHR will NOT tell you an item is in stock when it's not
BHR WILL work with you if there are any issues with installation or in rare instances a defective product.

The biggest aspect is there is no need to take your assembly out and ship it to have the welding done and all while your RX8 sits disabled. BHR ships a newly welded assembly to you right away so you can quickly replace the defective one.

BHR....or else!

Didn't they say that about a certain supercharger too?

Has anyone checked the '09 RX8 to see if they redesigned this POS?

I might send you mine soon. but before I do that I have to stop by Wayne Mazda to replace the stupid Clutch cut switch. cant start my car couple of times cuz the switch is not "working" , I have to crawl down the seat, press it in with my hand couple of times before it will work. damn switch :(

FYI...the switches are $8.00 for the one and $25 for the other...and they are both quick release..ie no tools and about 2 minutes to replace both ;)


also all you need to start the car is a short piece of wire to jumper the clutch pedal down switch......

It will run funny when you have your foot on the clutch and the car is in gear...( hunting idle) but other than that it will get you where you want to go until the new switch is in

Is it really that cheap? hmm ... I dunno cuz I never bothered to look it up on MazdaMotorSports page. :)

I know I can short the wire, but I prefer to keep it intact :)

I need to get to Wayne to program a new key (cuz I have only 1 flip key and 1 valet, damn Manhattant Mazda never gave me the other flip key), and I want to do a compression test. Just so that I know what my engine is up to.

Thx :)

my clutch pedal snap too a couple of months ago but my warranty cover the whole thing even towed to the nearest mazda dealership.