Subject: RX8 clutch failed
From: Rotary Engine
Date: 9/29/2008, 5:59 PM
To: AAA Put this in the To box



    My 2004 RX8 clutch failed tonight with only 29,000 miles.
     >> Dang!! The pedal went right to the floor and stayed there.
     >> Apparently the large diaphragm spring went over center.
     >> The clutch became permanently dis-engaged. I could not move
     >> the car.
     >>
     >> I'll have it towed to the dealer on Monday or Tuesday.
     >>
     >> I was disappointed to see the Mazda engineers did not use
     >> my
     >> annular hydraulic throw out cylinder invention :)
     >>
     >> Its still got the old fashion out side slave cylinder
     >> and lever arrangement.
     >>
     >> Paul Lamar
     >
     > Paul, you might try to release the hydraulic pressure (if present) by
     > opening the slave bleeder valve.
     >
     >
     > Joel
     >
     > OK Joel Thanks.
     >
     > Paul Lamar


    Yeah, come to think of it, I bought a Miata with a "failed clutch". I
    bled the clutch hydraulic system and it's been going strong for 10k
    miles now. =D

    -Chris

    I bled it Joel. Did not help. The guys at Seven Stock said Mazda had
    a lot of
    trouble with the pedal assembly but that does not appear to be the
    problem  with my RX8.

    I got under the dash and I could find no cracks. The pedal was
    stable from side
    to side. The return spring appears to be working. If this assembly
    breaks don't
    put a new one in unless you weld it up first. They are breaking
    around the spot  welds.


    The next step is jack up the car and creep under it to get access to
    the slave
    cylinder. The clutch (except for wear) warranty expired a year ago.
    The engine
    warranty is good to 100,000 miles or 9/27/2011 which ever occurs first.

    Paul Lamar


Does that spring do anything else like pop the car off the ground during
pit stops? Or, help open the hood?

Lynn E. Hanover


Yes it is amazing. It bears on the other end of the clutch pedal arm. It reduces  the pedal force required to disengage the clutch. Allows little old ladies to operate that big bad clutch. One of the RX8 secrets :) Good idea. Not completely sorted out yet :)

BTW Here is a picture of my new 2 ton all aluminum racing jack from Harbor Freight on sale at $139. Is this cool or what?

Paul Lamar


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