Please Help, "Bracket that secures Clutch Pedal Assembly"
 

Please help me, I tried doing a search and saw some interesting things, but nothing which applied to this.

Yesterday started having problems with the clutch in my '04 RX8. Sometimes it wouldn't let me shift into certain gears, specifically third or reverse. Sometimes when I got into second or even first, it wouldn't let me out of gear, even with the clutch pressed all the way down.

Pedal itself is far more loose than a couple days ago, but there is still pressure towards the bottom. No fluid can been seen leaking from anywhere. Long story short, towed to dealer.

Today dealer says they found that the "bracket which secures the clutch pedal assembly is broken" ("Pushed over to the side" he says). I asked if he had ever seen this before, he replied no. I asked how it could happen, and he indicated it would take an amount of force I have never exerted on my pedal. He says the part and labor will be $361 USD plus tax and delivery, but he cannot guarantee this will solve the entire problem, it will only allow him to determine if other work is needed.

Has anyone heard of this bracket? Does this sound legitimate?

Any help is much appreciated.

Taylor

And by the way, he says this is not covered under warranty.

I just don't understand how this could have broken. He said it is a solid metal piece.

If your car is within warranty it should be covered. You need to understand that dealers do get paid by Mazda for warranty work but it is not as mush as if you paid. For ex.. they may get $200 from Mazda for the work but if they charge the customer they get $360. Some not so nice dealers would try to con you into thinking it's not covered, press the issue and ask to speak to a regional rep, that will show them that you can't be conned. Go get em.

My car IS under warranty until 8/31/07 or 50,000 miles, im only at 33349, so we're fine there. Thomas at the Dealership says this part is not covered under warranty. What is the best way to "press the issue". They say Mazda will not pay for it. I asked for a regional rep and was told I would get a call back.

Mine broke also. It was covered under warranty. Check out this thread - https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-tech-garage-22/aftermarket-clutch-bracket-assembly-107803/

$360 is rediculous. If they refuse to cover it under warranty just order a new bracket from a vendor on this site and install it yourself.

Man, you guys are my saviors!!!! I called another dealership just to ask about this part, and it definitely sounds like it should be covered.

I don't know if I could install it myself, but where is a good source to look at prices for the part online?


Thank you so much for your quick answers.

Taylor

Sorry, dumb question about the price...."just order a new bracket from a vendor on this site ". My bad.

But just talked to a different dealership and they indicated that because of owner negligence, or aggressive use, it might not be covered under warranty.

I drive fast, yes, but I do not slam on my clutch, or release it fast at all. I really don't think this could have happened as a result of me, the driver, at 33349 miles???? no wayyyyyyyy

That should always be covered under warranty. I don't see any aggressive foot causing that to happy. I have known several people who have had to replace their clutch assemblies, on several cars.

Awesome, thank you!

Now I need to understand how I can get the dealer to handle this accordingly. They keep trying to say it's not covered, or it's my fault. I am so glad I posted here.

When I asked for the number for a regional rep, they gave me 800-222-5000, the recording says Autoclub, and it won't accept my zipcode or any zipcode nearby me as valid. You can't get past the zipcode part.

Yesss!!!

Just spoke to the dealership, they said they will cover it under warranty. He said he's doing it "good-will" because he wants my future business. Such a load. He's just trying to cover his tracks. When he first diagnosed it, he said there is no way Mazda will pay. After a little haggling, and calling Mazda and verifying that it IS UNDER WARRARNTY unless they can PROVE it was owner negligence, he had to take me a little more seriously.

Should be back in my 8 tomorrow morning.

I owe you guys one!!!

Taylor

Congrats. It's unfortunate, but sometimes it takes an informed customer to persuade dealers to cover what should obviously be warrantied.

If you ever wind up replacing your pressure plate with something stronger or just don't trust your new bracket to hold steady, keep an eye on CharlesRHill. He has plans for an improved bracket in the works.

r-enzyme, So why did you reward the flaky dealer with your patronage? Even if they only get compensated at warranty rates, the better dealers, at least, know that is their bread and butter, so won't hesitate to take the work. Rather than screwing around with customers trying to trick them into paying "standard" labor rates (not to mention being blatently dishonest), good dealers will welcome the work, if only to keep their service mechanic's schedules filled out. I'd drive 100 miles out of my way to avoid those jokers!

the Clutch Bracket is a *well known* weak part of the car. the weld (and metal) is simply too thin.

It Should be covered under warranty.

As long as you're running a stock clutch, it is impossible for the driver to exert too much force on the pedal. The resistance is determined by the clutch, not the driver.

note to self: check these when I get home.
They might be the source of some grinding issues I'm experiencing...

I think theres *quite* alot of people with broken bracket running stock clutch.

Some dealerships may think this falls under wear items clause in the warranty because it controls the clutch which is a wear item like brakes.

If it is defective the dealer should cover it. If it is caused by normal wear then it is not required to be covered.

I just went out and checked mine is still in good shape but I can see the consern with this. Interested in Charles solution. :)

What I meant was, it is not the driver's fault. Their dealer claiming that aggressive driving caused the problem, but this is impossible. The amount of force the pedal assembly experiences depends on the clutch, and there's no kind of "aggressive driving" that changes the force on the pedal. Driver pushes and the pedal gives -- based on the spring. So any premature failure of the pedal, involving stock clutch, is entirely a design or manufacture defect. They did not make the pedal strong enough to withstand the clutch.

#$^*(%#^&$#&@$# dealers ... :rant:

Mine just broke, stopped in dealership, Service writer ordered without a tech even looking at it, covered without a question.

Which dealer did you go to???

Paul Miller

Ready by MazFest?
 

There are a couple of us with RX-8s registered. Any chance your bracket will be ready by July? Also, my plastic dead pedal broke. Any chance of making one out of metal? It looks like the footrest mount is plastic, with a metal face. Maybe redo the mounting in a "strut" configuration and bolt the OEM metal plate to it?

How to Break Your Dead Pedal
 

My car spun out in the rain and went over a low curb. That must have weakened the dead pedal, as I was braced against it. A few weeks later, I was in the middle of a hard left corner and the pedal gave way, completely, causing a spin out. When I tried to get started again, I found the pedal lodged under both the clutch and brake pedals. Very dangerous, as the only thing that saved me was the car stalling, due to the fairly low speed and the broken pedal preventing me from declutching. Even if you've never placed a lot of stress on the part, you might want to replace it with something made of metal. The OEM replacement part was about $130, so any aftermarket, well engineered metal replacement should get a number of buyers.

Anyway, how is work on the clutch pedal bracket going?

Best regards, Gary

gary,

this is the second one that has made it here... 130 bucks???? it is just plastic...

you might want to start a new thread about this..

beers :beer:

Got my bracket replaced today. World of difference in the clutch. Too bad they ordered an engine for it, and my RKE quit working

Charles, I've been waiting on that bracket for a while also ;-) ... Will be towards the top of the list when you start taking orders!

I am getting some intermittent "sticky" shifter feel and am worried it might be the clutch assy. starting to give.

mine broke today....78k miles on the car....I just went in last week since I was having the problems the original post talked about....not being able to get into 1st or reverse, not being able to pull the damn car into nuetral even with the clutch pedal depressed all the way to the floor.

Read other threads suggesting that it was the adjustment of the pedal. Went into the dealer and was told that my extended warranty doesn't cover any of the hydraulic systems. I asked them to look at it anyways, suggesting to them that it may just ne the adjustment....could they check to see if it was in spec.

They called back an hour later and said that they adjusted the pedal "beyond spec" to get the clutch to work properly. About 1k miles later, driving last night, shift into second....the loudest "SNAP" I have ever heard. I was like, WTF. I looked at my wife and said "did you hear that?"...she said "Yes, what was that". "I think it was my clutch pedal"...I turned on my neons and looked at the pedal...it was seriously sitting ontop of my brake pedal....

I'm going into the dealer this afternoon....

holy shit keith!

I was lucky, my bracket decided to *break* when I just got in front of my GF's house, Engine off, Parking Brake On, and Finally when I try to press the clutch in so I can put it into 1st gear to lock the car, *CRACK*, it broke.

Tow the car to dealership the next morning, when I was on the Tow Truck, I was mad sad that I have to tow my car @ such early age, all the ppl on the streets were looking and probably wonder like *wtf* ....

you're out of warranty right ? (Your extended warranty does not cover it anyway)

No need to go to the dealership, your bracket broke, just like mine, I was in warranty so its covered, but Mazda Tech Line being a jerk about it said its one time repair only, well I dont really care what Mazda Tech line saids if they not fixing it next time(assume Im still in the B to B warranty period), I will sue their ass

I guess you might want to just buy a new bracket and install it yourself, it cost about 170 bux including shipping.

oh btw, my Bracket broke when I was 36K something miles. now Im almost 37. Yep, about 2 weeks ago.

For your Reference, here

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...ghlight=clutch

I took some pictures and a video, but its all on my phone. I have to find a chance to upload it to my comp ... hmm

Speaking of clutches, in the cold, the first few shifts, consisting of first and reverse. I noticed that if I pump the brake before pushing the clutch in it does not give me any trouble. :dunno: I thought this was due to air in the hydralic system but I have speedbleeders and bled them a few times in the order that the shop manual says to.

When I drive I don't let off the gas before starting to press the clutch.

If I do this I only have to press the clutch pedal half way to the floor. Saves time and gives a much smoother transition. :)

Sad to hear all the clutch brackets breaking lately.

here are some pics...I took one from underneath, but can't find where the break is. When I picked up my car, they said they didn't have the part in stock, and that they wouldn't be able to get one until the new year...Mazda is on vacation....I guess?

I asked him, with the number of cars reporting the same "faulty weld" failure, how many cars are needed for Mazda to call a safety recall on certain vehicles within a certain VIN range....? He said that would be something we could proceed with after the holiday. I'm on vacation from work so don't really need to drive the car....so I'm willing to go through the process with Mazda.

Many of you don't know the problems I ahve had with my car since it was new....but everyone from the forums who has driven my car has always commented that my clutch has been different. I own two RX8's, and I can tell you, without question...that the two cars are different.

Here are some pics I took today while down at the dealer...3 of my car, and one of a stock/brand new 8.

Can anyone point out a brake, or where my clutch bracket broke...I can't see it.

I can't see it either, any update on this?

Is this a design defect that should be reported to NHTSA?

- Kabong

Check with Charles R Hill

The BHR gang will have a new bracket in a month. Heavy duty.

it is a TOTAL design defect.

I reported mine already.

Please whoever have/had a Clutch Bracket problem, please report this problem to NHTSA. YOu dont want any other 8 member, or you, to have an accident because of this right ?

Here area couple of pics I posted after pulling the bracket out of the car.

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...9&d=1199486673

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...6&d=1199486673

there are two spots that failed.....in this blurry pic, you see one of the failures near my index finger. The other failure is on the opposite side. There is a hole right next to my thumb, but it is the hole further to the right.

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...8&d=1199486673

The failure next to my index finger was the Snap/Breakage that seperated the bracket from the floor board. The failure next to my thumb is the one that resulted in the loud squeaks I was hearing every time I depressed my clutch pedal.

This same thing happened to me, just started to feel loose but not really enough to cause much concern. It actually broke when I was pulling into VIR to watch a few races, I made it to the parking lot w/out using the clutch. Thankfully I had my tools in the trunk and took the whole clutch assembly out in the parking lot. I walked around with it untill I found a formula mazda/ford team with a welder. We bent it back and welded the heck out of it, I dont think I'll be having any more problems with it. The aluminum they use for the bracket is paper thin and there are just a few spot welds holding it to the clutch assembly that are prone to pulling out. Its a shity design, I originally called mazda to see how much it was and after seeing the part and hearing the price there was no way I was going to pay that. I'm just glad I was at a racetrack when it happened

300 for the part.....


if you have 10 minutes, maybe you can file a complaint. We are trying to get everyone who has had this failure, to report it to the NTHSB. This is something that Mazda should correct. I filed my report this morning.

Report broken pedal to the NHTSA
 

If your clutch pedal has broken please do everyone a favor and report it as a safety issue to the NHTSA. Not only does that increase the odds that there will be a recall and we get reimbursed, but it may prevent someone from getting killed. Also, it will encourage manufacturers to make better products.

My Clutch broke today!!! :Peace:

Thanks god it was only a couple of miles from my house.
I was able to get just enough "travel" out of it to nurse the car home in 2nd gear.

And also thank god for this forum and the fact that I already have a replacement pedal from BHR. (Thanks Charles!)

I do plan on bringing the broken pedal into my local dealer ... since I asked them about this problem several months ago and they said they haven't heard about it.. I had them "check" the pedal and they said it was fine.

Looks like I know what I'm doing tomorrow.....

mine broke last week!

and i was on vacation in pensacola fla well visiting family in the home town i mean but there a beach there so i guess a vacation but alright

i drove it all the way home and it got worse once i got close so for now it is parked until its fixed! what a pain

Squeaked for a year and it finally broke last week...
 

Here's mine, the Clutch Pedal Bracket broke last week. I couldn't get a clear view at first because my driver side door was locked from the inside and out due to a broken spring in the mechanism. I'm going to remove mine and have it welded tomorrow... By the way, I've always noticed the squeaking and thought it's only the spring re-tractor since I bought my 2004 RX-8 last year with 104,000 miles; hence, the rust build up on the upper section of the break. The bracket's one of the few major issues I have with the car.

:doh:

yep, i cut my hands up good taking it out to weld. going back in was easier.

and i learned that i need to learn to weld better:suspect:

I finally had a chance to replace mine, I ended up buying a new one from the dealership, $158.98. Took about an hour to install and it was really tight under there specially if you
don't have a long 12mm socket to remove the nut where the bracket broke. I had to modify the clutch switch because it wouldn't fully engage if I press the pedal to start the engine.
So I removed the spring inside the switch and closed the circuit. Like in Japan, I don't have to use the clutch to start the engine! Is that a safety issue?

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5759723_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._6721758_n.jpg

So you replaced the known weak link without fixing the issue? I hope you dont have the same problem again.

If you have a 6 speed, that is a safety issue. If the car gets left in gear for some reason it could take off when you start it and possibly hit something. I'm pretty sure it has been said on this forum numerous times about how to set up that switch so that it engages correctly if you want to go back and fix it.

It's a band aid...
 

I needed to have the vehicle in working condition, it's the only means of transportation I have. Once I have the time, I'll have the bracket reinforced.
In the meantime, I'm going to look for some kind of extended pad that presses the switch. Apparently, pressing the pedal to the floor does not fully
push the button for the switch, it only travels half-way. I had to press it with my finger and turn the key at the same time to start.

Thanks for the note.

The switch has an adjustable actuator....pull out carefully on it and it will ratchet out and work correctly

I thought it did when I removed the spring, I'll inspect and do the adjustment later.