Mazdaspeed6 Clutch Fix TSB

[Alexander37]

I had 30k on mine when I had my clutch replaced. With the TSB, they should not be able to refuse the warranty repair. I complained about my clutch and the fact that even their guys would stall it moving it into the shop for routine oil changes from day one. Once the TSB is out there, anyone who complains with an affected clutch, regardless of miles gets the fix under warranty. No way should they even try to get you to pay for "an adjustment?????" They knew there were issues with the clutch, hence the TSB for the repair. The repairs can differ depending on production time of the car, as a few were updated in 2007. All 06's to my knowledge had the "Type A clutch" which was a full replacement. The dealer doesn't care, they get paid either way. Home office just doesn't want to pay for it. Don't budge on the issue. I just dealt with home office regarding my engine replacement, and let's just say that with my persistence, things paid off big time in MY favor! Good luck!

 

[r0bi]

Man this has been a headache.

Just bought a 2006 model, 34k miles that fits in the Type A range. Trying to get it fixed in Houston.

Expo Mazda: wanted to sell me a new clutch, said the car didn't fall in the VIN range (it does), told me to practice driving stick more (that pissed me off)

Munday Mazda: Claims it's normal, it that it's 'harder' because it is a 'sportier' car. Tech drove car, claims my clutch doesn't match what is described in the TSB.

Joe Myers Mazda: Claims it's normal, supervisor gave me a 1-800 number for Mazda. Tech drove car, claims my clutch doesn't match what is described in the TSB.


Any tips to get this done? I think the problem is that the techs have nothing to compare my car to when they drive it. None of them have any Mazdaspeed6s in stock. The car is obviously drivable because I've been doing so for the past 3 weeks, I know it CAN be easier though.

Anyone have any luck in Houston? There is one more place I could try, Jeff Haas Mazda...it's out of my way but if they are the best bet then I'll make the drive...

 

[Alexander37]

All I can say is that you are getting screwed. If the vehicle falls under the correct VIN range, and still has the original clutch, they HAVE TO REPLACE IT UNDER WARRANTY! Maybe my dealer is just more accommodating, but they were more than happy to do it. The dealer gets paid to do the work. Under warranty, Mazda pays them, out of warranty, you pay. Bring in the official TSB, I know its on this forum somewhere, I have seen it before, and take it to the GM. Don't let it go!!

 

[Qwik6]

Those dealers are harsh! Give the other dealer a call. Heres a trick you can try. Explain to them the clutch is stiff and difficult to opperate. You can ask if this is an issue they have run across. Then when you take the car in try and get another service advisor other than the one you talked to on the phone. If thats possible.. Then just print off the TSB and when you go in say you are here to have the tsb looked at. My dealer just looked at my paper and typed in the tsb number for the techs to look at. Then cross your fingers. The guy who then drove my car out stalled it 3 times in a row leaving the service garage. All the service advisors got up and were looking at him. haha.

 

[Flightmedic]

I am waiting for my parts to come in then I will be getting this done : ) The guy who drove my car stalled it a few times just backing out of a parking spot lol...

 

[r0bi]

Okay I talked to the Service Manager at Munday Mazda (Bob). He test drove it as well as another tech and he's going to be ordering the parts. They will call me when the parts are in. I think I might have had trouble in the beginning because I brought the TSB in...might think I just want new parts for free. Finally seems to have gone through though. He did mention that it could also be the clutch causing the issue and the warranty doesn't cover that...but with 34k miles I'm sure the clutch will look fine....the paranoid person in me fears that they'll say it's the clutch when it's opened up and they will want me to pay up...it's never slipped on me though :\

However, he said that they have never done this repair before so I'm hoping it gets put back together properly...

 

[sunshineFC]

I just got back from my local Mazda dealer...after a short test drive, the service manager said that I qualify for the Type-A clutch update. He tried to dissuade me several times by saying my clutch was softer than some of the other Ms3/6's he has driven, but agreed that the engagement point was very high. I told them upfront that I knew there was a TSB out there, but I didnt try to be a smartass or a know-it-all (eventhough I know a ton more about these cars than they do). I told them I can get maybe 1 smooth start out of every 10, and that my wife stalls it regularly. So, all in all, it went well.
I'll report back once the work is performed and I get to try it out. Btw, I have a 2006 Ms6 GT, with 28,xxx on the clock. I just purchased it used a week ago. I am under the impression that if I had not gotten it just recently, with my milage, I probably would have been turned away and I would not have gotten the work approved so easily.
-a

2/10/09 UPDATE - Car is at the dealership. Parts came in in less than a week. Lets hope the car is ready for me tomorrow.

2/11/09 UPDATE - The idiots at the stealership still have the car. They say its been a routine job, but for some reason they can't wrap it up in a day and a half. They said the car went in around lunch on the 10th, and now its close of business on the 11th. Sheesh, you would think with a big clean shop, lift, and all the necessary tools, they would be able to pull this off in 14 working hours.

2/12/09 UPDATE - I got the car back this morning and it feels much nicer. I only have about 15 miles on the new clutch so I cant say too much, but the best way to describe it is that its still decently stiff (like a performance clutch should be), but it eliminates that "snap" that you experience during engagement. Its much easier to modulate the pedal with the new setup. Definately worth it!
-a

 

[USAFVMI08]

So I've noticed that my clutch makes a noticeable clunk sound when engaging and disengaging. It's even more noticeable when in neutral. Is this a sign of the problem that the TSB is addressing? I've never dropped the clutch (other than accidentally letting it out when parked and in gear) and very rarely do I drive the car to the point where I'm banging through gears and popping the clutch out fast. In fact, I've only done that once. The car has around 34k on the odo and it's an 06.

 

[Speedzoom]

My car is at the dealership getting the clutch replaced as we speak. woot woot!

 

[Speedzoom]

OMG! the new clutch is so much better than the old piece of trash clutch. WOW!! its cake to drive now! I love it!

 

[r0bi]

I dropped my car off after work yesterday, got a Chevy HHR rental from Enterprise...ugh...ugliest car ever. I actually feel embarrassed in this vehicle.

Anyway, that will make things that much better when I get my car back

 

[USAFVMI08]

No one's answered my question. I'd really like to know before I drive from Alabama to Washington state in a few weeks...

 

[Flightmedic]

No one's answered my question. I'd really like to know before I drive from Alabama to Washington state in a few weeks...

the TSB is on the front page and it explains what the problem is. The clunking is something else that has to do with engine mounts and diff mounts.

 

[USAFVMI08]

Okay. Wow. It's just weird that it suddenly started doing this. It didn't even start after accidentally letting the clutch out or anything.... Weird. Guess I'll have to get it checked out this weekend

 

[r0bi]

Well, last week they broke my shift cable and delayed me until today. Now I call up today to check on the progress and apparently broke my drive shaft. Now my estimated date for getting my car back is Wednesday...maybe Tuesday.

What an experience this has been.

 

[USAFVMI08]

....How does one break a drive shaft like that? Only way I can think of is if they dumped the clutch repeatedly and that's stretching it...

On another note, took my car in to get the noise investigated. Turns out that the springs at the top of the clutch pedal are going bad. They adjusted them and the sound seemed to go away for a bit but it came right back. So, they're ordering me a new pedal assembly. Everything's covered under warranty

 

[ms6z]

WTF.. i went to my local Mazda dealer and i asked one of the service guy about the ms6 clutch fix and he told me that it's not covered by warranty. He said that anything under the TSB, is not covered????

 

[chuyler1]

If your car is out of warranty then that is true. Only a recall would be covered outside of the warranty.

 

[ms6z]

I have a 2006 MS6 GT w/ 25,000 on it. I think my warranty expires in 2010.

 

[chuyler1]

Ok, then take it to another dealer, or escalate the problem to someone that can help you at your dealership.