Frustrated

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

Everyone knows the tranny issues I've had (and other RX-8 owners). After getting denied yet again, being told it was the clutch which is not covered under warranty, I'm at wits end. This is the 4th (maybe the 5th) time it's been in. Had they determined it was the clutch, instead of being "unable to duplicate" the first time it was in the shop, the clutch would've still been under warranty. I have 20 months (8 months out of warranty) and 8000 miles on the clutch Lakewood Mazda swapped out before I purchased the car.

So now, basically, I can be assured that this isn't going to get taken care of unless I pay out of pocket for something that's been going on since I've purchased the car, and have taken to the dealer numerous times. Given the hassles Mazda dealers have given me and not wanting to deal with this, I'm seriously thinking about getting rid of the RX8, and getting into a non-Mazda vehicle. (I know, I know, what makes me think other manufacturers are any better). Still, I'm still worked up about picking up the car tonight. In their words:

"Clutch fork has too much play in it. The clutch fork ether (sic) has worn a hole through or the clutch fork pin is worn down causing too much play and causing the clutch not to disenguage (sic) all the way. Suggest removing transmission to find out how much damage there is to the clutch. Customer declined service at this time."

That apparently (haha) happened in the 5000 miles I've owned it, as Lakewood claims they went through it and it was perfect when I purchased the car.

LM · Postby LM » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

This might be a silly question, but can you easily select gears will the car isn't running? If you can, it might well be the clutch. Just my 2-cents.

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

I'll even concede it's the clutch at this point. What's frustrating is that it was in 2 different dealer shops BEFORE the 12mo/12000mile warranty was up on the clutch, and both dealerships said that they couldn't duplicate the issue. Magically, as soon as the clutch is out of warranty, they can now duplicate the issue, and....it's the clutch.

GR-8 · Postby **GR-8** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

They are all full of it. They are just denying us till we get out of warranty. I know your close and I'm 6 months from my powertrain warranty to be up. I think they are just playing games. I don't know much about transmissions but if it's the clutch wouldn't you think that more than one gear would be the problem? Not just a speific gear. I mean for all I know my clutch being all torn up could be from the failure of the clutch pedal bracket. In that case Mazda should get me a new clutch. Their faulty part their problem. Pisses me off. Cause I've been compaining of the problem since before I got my new motor before the new clutch and after the motor and new clutch. It's only been getting worse.

Who did you go to this time? We can scratch Gateway from being any help. You tried Lakewood already? If so scratch them off. Sil-TerHar. I've heard the Springs dealers are no help and they send people up here. Anyone up for a trip to a Ft. Collins Dealer? Membe we can all start calling up MNAO and tell them what we think. The best kind of buisness is the one you gain from word of mouth and it's also the worst kind.

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

Burt (2), Gateway, today was Lakewood, for the second time.

GR-8 · Postby **GR-8** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Jul 24 2008, 08:27 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=58156]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Burt (2), Gateway, today was Lakewood, for the second time.[/b]

Did you offer them to go for a ride? I can't beleive that no one wants to help. The only dealer to have confirmed it for me is burt and it's the only one that doesn't have a Manual tranny tech. I may force myself to try Gateway and mebe Lakewood. Is Rich still at Lakewood?

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

Yes, Rich is still at Lakewood. And yes, I rode with the tech when we drove it this morning. He rowed through all of the gears 1-5, but only got above 5k in the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. The tech said it sounded like the syncro to him. He even commented and said "Is it always this bad?". Then Rich poo-poo'd it because he remembered my car, and said all of the internals were "perfect" when he changed the clutch 8000 miles ago. They told me it's only in second gear because "that's the gear that gets used the most".

GR-8 · Postby **GR-8** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Jul 24 2008, 08:37 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=58160]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Yes, Rich is still at Lakewood. And yes, I rode with the tech when we drove it this morning. He rowed through all of the gears 1-5, but only got above 5k in the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. The tech said it sounded like the syncro to him. He even commented and said "Is it always this bad?". Then Rich poo-poo'd it because he remembered my car, and said all of the internals were "perfect" when he changed the clutch 8000 miles ago. They told me it's only in second gear because "that's the gear that gets used the most".[/b]

Wow that sucks. So what about first gear then? That gets used just as much as even more than second. Even third gets used nearly as much as second. Call MNAO I guess and let them know that the Tech Commented that it is the syncro's that are screwed up and that the Service manager was denying to fix the problem. It's just bull and all the dealers are giving us all the same answer. Mebe MNAO won't help at all. It's bull. That's all I have to say. It really sucks.

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

Mazda Customer Service was no help. Naturally, they stand behind the decision that a "Mazda Certified Technician" made. At his point, I'm going to go look at cars this afternoon. I've had this one for 10 months and not one single dealership wants to help. "Oh shifting sucks? Must be the clutch. Even though it only affects 2nd gear." Screw Mazda.

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

Interesting (but I'm sure Mazda won't cover it):

"The factory clutch pedal assembly is prone to failure, on average, around 47,000-50,000 miles even with a stock clutch. What happens is that the spot welds which secure the rear plate to the bracket mainframe crack/break and cause incomplete clutch disengagement. (The metal used on the bracket assembly, especially the rear plate, isn't of the highest quality either.) When this happens, initially, the synchros do their job and bear the brunt of the abuse generated by a clutch that won't fully disengage. Over time, the synchros cannot cannot continue to spin up/down as they are supposed to and grinding of the synchros starts to occur. At the same time, your pedal will first squeak once in a while. Then, it will squeak all the time. Next, it will click from time to time."

tsx_guy · Postby **tsx_guy** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

dude that totally sucks...if you drop your mazda Josh will still love ya...i won't tho....what a huge pita and crap ass hassle.

can't believe no one is willing to step in....it's not like you are street racing of have upgraded your tranny....jerks!

Buffalo · Postby **Buffalo** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

I have an idea but i need to know one thing. Will you be replacing the clutch out of pocket?

If so i would go to mazda and have them look at the transmission. I would tell them you are going to pay for a new clutch but they are going to replace the 2nd gear and all the bad syncros and the shift fork upgrade under warranty along with the labor. You are never going to get them to replce a clutch under warranty but if you can just get them in there they should see there is a problem. I don't care what gear is used the most, it should work perfectly. That is like saying your radio button should go out because you use it too much, that it's job.

Anyway that is what i did and once they were in there both the gears in 2 and 5 were bad and the shift fork needed to be upgraded. The cost was more than a new one so they replaced the whole thing.

Hope this helps, i would hate to see you get rid of your car. I know how much you enjoy it.

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

Good idea. I'll probably go down that road in a bit. I've cooled off since my annoying chat with the Mazda Customer service guy this morning. And actually, it was good I went and drove some vehicles this morning. I got back in the 8 and realized in the grand scheme of things, that I really like the car.

Buffalo · Postby **Buffalo** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

Good to hear. Like i said, cut the deal that if you pay for the clutch they take apart the transmission and replace the parts that are not working properly. If i remember the shift fork kit is something that needs to be replaced in your car anyway. That way you won't pay labor.

Also DO NOT GET CLUTCHMASTERS!!!!!!! DO NOT!!!!!

Huzer21 · Postby **Huzer21** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

Yeah, I figure since Mazda apparently tries their hardest to not honor any warranty, I'll work on getting this fixed, then I'll start tracking/autox and join Mazdasports. At least then I can get a discount when things start to break.

Frustrated

Who is online