Really really Soft Clutch, but nothing broken?
 

After the 5th person who has tried my car, every single one of them has said that the clutch "drops to the floor".

Its really really easy to push, BUT the fluid level is fine, I dont have any shifting issues, and the clutch catches fine and doesnt seem to slip.....
its also REALLY sensitive, (but ive gotten used to it)


dont get me wrong, I love the fact that its easy to push!

My question is, What would cause that? The clutch springs?
Im planning on putting a new clutch in it, but I actually want it to stay that soft, If I put a new clutch in, would it still be as easy to push?

did you bleed the lines?
is the clutch pedal broken?

do the 5 people drive rx8's?
if you clutch is engaging and disengaging fine, also the engagement point does not change, I cant think of anything could be wrong with it.
you should thank for rx8's soft clutch, my Wrangler is a bitch to push the clutch pedal.

My RX8's clutch is much softer than other car I've owned. Thank the extremely low torque ;). I wouldn't say it drops to the floor, but i can see how people who drive other cars might think it's really soft when they get in your car - since they'll be used to their stiffer one (most likely). The Mazdaspeed6 has an insanely stiff clutch pedal.

3 of them drove rx8's n 1 of the other 2 had driven one at one time.

Im just worried about when I put a new clutch in, is it going to make it so its no longer easy to push?


Would it be the clutch springs that would make it that soft, or the actual plates?

Bleed your clutch.

If there was a mechanical problem - whether it's the clutch disc, pressure plate, pedal,etc. You would have shifting issues.

A soft clutch pedal is more then likely air in the hydraulic clutch line/slave/system.

that would make perfect sence, but wouldnt that mean the air would cause it not to have as much pressure, thus making it not disengage it all the way? and then cause shifting problems and creeping?

I just replaced my clutch and flywheel for my 2004 RX-8 and it feels extremely soft compared to like it was before. So if you are thinking of replacing the clutch, you'll have nothing to worry about.

There can be issues with the stack height when you replace a clutch. I had to add some spacers to mine, the clutch got softer as engine RPM went up. The clutch was a bit too thick, and the fingers on the pressure plate did not crown enough..

Just offering the info...

UPDATE!!!:
So my car has been in the shop more a little more than a week now and I initially took it to get the clutch replace b/c it was slipping. Test drove the car after job was done and now the mechanic tells me the the clutch slave cylinder is licking.... Is that even possible?????
What is the worst thing that can happen if I don't replace the slave cylinder? (right now)
IF ANYONE CAN HELP!!!
Thanks!

Worst case,

You are sitting in traffic, behind a porta potty truck full of crap, clutch in, car in gear, slave leaks down, clutch engages, car goes forward, you hit truck, tank dumps through your open sun roof.

if it helps.
usually when u install a fresh clutch (without touching hydrolic fluid)
it takes a while to stiffen up the pedal.
Maybe a clutch adjustment + bleeding would be my pitch in to help.

the OE clutch is always softest when new, it gets stiffer with wear and is the stiffest when the disc is worn out

it has to do with the thickness of the disc and how it impacts the pressure plate diaphragm

.

Could you explain the "spacers" please? I'm experiencing this issue of soft pedal with increased rpm after clutch replacement. Thanks

I have the same occurance except its only after i leave it parked for a few days or so.....then after about 10 minutes of driving i get full pressure back in my pedal. it feels like the clutch engagement point shifts to basically on the floor and becomes super sensitive however my fluid level has not changed and i do not see any leaks in the cabin or on my garage floor. any thoughts?

I had a similar experience a few weeks ago. I bled my clutch and it's back to normal.

The easiest way to get to the bleed screw is to remove the UIM (which sounds more daunting than it actually is). It will be behind the oil filter pedestal. I installed a SpeedBleeder (7mm x 1.0, SB7100) and was able to do it alone.

Sweet thanks man! Where can I get the speedbleeder?

This is the exact item I purchased through Amazon. Not sure how Amazon handles things north of the 45th parallel but this should at least get you started.


You get two since they are generally marketed for brake bleeding. Now you'll have an extra in case your first one gets all chowdered up.

Thanks man, appreciate it!!

Just installed a new engine and clutch. First time driver of an RX8 (I had to trailer it home!)
The clutch bites with teh pedal right down low near the floor - is this normal on 8s? I bled the clutch system today and it changed nothing. Seems to drive OK, but I thought a new clutch would engage/disengage with a bit less pedal travel.
Any comments?

What clutch?

The one between the engine and....
sorry, couldn't resist! I'm afraid I don't know - it was ready fitted to the new reman engine when I got it and I didn't look.

Sounds like the clutch pedal needs to be adjusted.