ober

The clutch recently went on my RX8, I got in my car to leave work the other day and could not get into reverse. Getting the car into first is difficult and gear changes from there on are clunky, difficult and there is a whine while I'm driving which going through the forum seems to be the Throwout bearing.

Took it to a local garage and called around, it seems most shops around are charging $2000-$2200 for parts and labor. That would be a new clutch kit, flywheel resurface (or replacement), and a slave cylinder. That seems crazy expensive so I'm trying to do whatever I can to bring the cost down.

I see Mazmart has an Exedy OEM Replacement Kit for $350 which includes the release bearing. Is this the go to kit or is there something else I should go for?

Any flywheel recommendations? I can't seem to find one on Mazmart, I see BHR have a couple for 250-350 depending on which one you get. Whats an OEM flywheel cost?

Any other parts you guys would recommend getting?

My plan is to bring all the parts to a garage and just have them throw them in. How is the DIY clutch replacement? Me and my buddy are pretty mechanically savvy but don't have access to a lift. This is my main mode of transportation (The S1000RR doesn't work too well in these NJ Winters) so I can't spend multiple weekends putting this clutch in.

I appreciate all the help and recommendations.

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

That price is nuts, $1000.00 tops. and a flywheel resurface is just fine (done it twice on mine in 150k+ and I would ask for proof of slave failure, it's rare..

ober

I am getting a noticeable whine (like a metal rubbing on metal noise) while driving in gear would a failing clutch pedal cause that?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

It could. Could just be an alignment issue or failing pedal assembly like CRH mentioned. How many miles on the clutch?

ober

I just hit 70,000

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

That's a little premature unless you abuse it or don't drive manual well. But I was over 100k when I replaced my clutch the first time and it still had a good amount of life left in it.

I mean it's probably time for new clutch but buy the kit from BHR and just find a shop that won't over charge you. It's really not that big of a job, I can do it on my back in the driveway in about 4 hours, on a lift, even quicker. I have done a few on RX-8's, and I follow the FSM, I know most shops don't and as a result, most don't even adjust the clutch pedal or check the welds on it either.

Although I pulled the clutch pedal out of the R3 parts car I have and put it in mine when the pedal failed and the S2 clutch looks solid with a couple of extra spot welds, and I have not heard of any S2 pedal failures so I doubt it's that. But worth a check.

ober

All the shops I'm talking to are saying 6 hours to change the clutch, not sure how to haggle around that. I didnt see a BHR clutch kit on the website has it been discontinued?

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

So where are they getting $2000.00 from? Even dealer estimates around here that I have heard are in the $800.00-$1000 range. But dealers come up with some crazy ****, one of our local girls was quoted $1800.00 for a clutch replacement and they told her that the "sticky" Yokohamas she was running was the reason the clutch failed. She ended up getting it replaced at another local dealer for $1200.00, she was insistent that a dealer do it.

Oats

I paid about $300 for labor a few weeks ago at a well known rotary mechanic and it took them about 3 hours. I brought in the parts which were about $300 as well. I went with the Exedy OEM Replacement kit for Series 2 but I did not use the included throw out bearing. You can read more about the throw out bearing here.

When looking at light weight flywheels you should keep in mind they usually don't include a counter weight, which is needed and expensive.

ober

He gave me 6 hours for labor to do the clutch - $700
1 Hour to remove the exhaust (which is total garbage) - $100
Replacing the master slave cylinder (which he claimed he might not need to do) - $100 something
Replacement clutch kit - $850 (which is insane)
There was something else in there I can't remember that brought it up to $2000k.

I've called a few more garages and a couple are quoting me at $1000 if they purchase the clutch kit, 500-600 if I bring the kit in myself.

I looked up JPR and their shop looks great unfortunately its a hike for me to get their and with the clutch the way it is I'd prefer not to make that drive.

The plan is to snag that Exedy OEM Kit and bring it in to one of those other garages and gave me a lower estimate. I'll also make sure I get that improved throwout bearing (thanks for that info Oats).

I appreciate all the help and advice guys.

Mazmart

iTrader: (12)

The kit for 2009 is different from the S1 version and I will show that on the Mazmart website tomorrow. Similar to Charles, we charge $450 to install. I think we can do the clutch kit, slave, master cylinder and even pedal replacement, parts and labor less than $1000.

Paul.