Vibrating clutch pedal?

[Mark787B]

Greetings all. How many 5 owners with a manual have a vibrating clutch pedal? Trying to determine what's "normal"...

 

[coolmazda5]

(bump)

Can you explain further? I have 2 and both feel a little bit different (maybe the # of miles and model year), yet they are extremely "soft" in use (it even feels fragile) and no vibration (engaged, while engaging or disengaged)

Thx!

 

[Heat]

No vibrations in the clutch on my '09.

What year and how many miles?

 

[Mark787B]

Mine's an '09 with just over 1K miles. My 5 drives well enough but the off-idle vibration is quite noticeable and when I first push the clutch in to start it. Also, if I'm driving down a hill, put the transmission in neutral, and depress the clutch (holding the pedal down) I can feel vibration that goes hand in hand with blipping the throttle. This condition really feels like a mount issue of some sort but my own visual inspections (minus the side mount under the battery) haven't yielded any broken or damaged mounts.

In fact, the engine vibrates a fair amount at idle, much moreso than I would suspect from a new car. Looks like back to the dealer I go...

 

[SPEED3TYPE2]

On some Mazda cars a vibrating clutch is a bent rod... Not saying thats your situation just saying.

 

[Mark787B]

Bent rod? Something in the clutch mechanism?

 

[Zoom5Zoom]

Sounds like your car is new... I suggest getting back to your salesperson and ask em to try another Mazda 5 same year etc. See if it feels the same to you to answer "your" question.

 

[Mark787B]

Thanks. Finding another 5 with a manual trans is a challenge around these parts however...

 

[Heat]

You can do an inventory search at www.mazdausa.com. That being said, you are right, there are very few Mazda5's with manual transmission anywhere near you.

If you can make it to Wayne, New Jersey, they have five Mazda5's with manual transmission, but it's 300 miles from where you are (one way) I believe.

WAYNE MAZDA
1244 ROUTE 23 NORTH
WAYNE, NJ 07470

First, talk to your local dealer's mechanics and see what they say. Or, travel to Wayne, New Jersey (or a different dealer if you find a closer one) and test drive a Mazda5 with manual transmission, see how that clutch feels, then you can definatively say that the shaking in your current ride is not normal.

And I've driven cars with manual tranmission for over 20 years - there is nothing odd about the clutch in my Mazda5 though it is a little on the soft side (easy to get used to though), but definately no shaking.

 

[Mark787B]

Thanks Heat-- there is no substitute for heading to the dealer; in my case, he is 1 1/2 hours a way so I've been accumulating a list of gripes, actually very few.

Like you I've been driving manuals for years, closer to 25 for me, and while the clutch is very easy to operate and mignt have a vague friction point, I really have no objections to the operation beyond taking off from a start.

 

[SPEED3TYPE2]

Bent rod? Something in the clutch mechanism?

On the 3 with a bent rod in the motor cuases vibrations in the motor that go straight to the clutch pedal. I never heard on a 5 but its the same motor.

 

[Mark787B]

Good lord, I certainly hope I don't have a bent rod on a new engine that's never even seen 6K RPM! I suppose anything is possible-- you'll be the second person to know (or rather the forum as a whole) if I pop the engine...

 

[J.P.]

The only thing we have noticed on our '09 is the pedal has a low 'groan' as it is depressed and released. It feels like it is from the actual pedal pivot, or the clutch master cylinder. You don't hear it much, but it does vibrate through your foot as the pedal travels. We only have around 5000 km on it, so I am hoping it will break in.

- JP.

 

[PGCist]

J.P. - I have the same issue. It's also noticeable cruising at 55-65mph. I have 11900 miles on my '07 5. I was planning on taking it to the dealer this summer for a warranty-covered repair.

 

[dan4behr]

Hmmmm...
I've never noticed this on my '07 5MT Touring. 26K miles so far and no vibrations.

 

[Mark787B]

I'd like to get my mits on a shop manual-- maybe the slave cylinder needs to be bled. What's puzzling though is the action of the pedal is fine. I find myself nostalgic for clutch cables...

 

[Mark787B]

J.P. and PGCist: This is what I'm talking about by J.P.'s description. This is the first step, knowing that I'm not the only one...

Do both or either of you have vibration in general (steering wheel, floor, etc.) at highway speeds as well?

 

[J.P.]

Other vibrations.

So far nothing too bad vibration wise. We put winter wheels and tires on the day after taking delivery, and found it good overall this winter. In the last few weeks since I put the factory wheels back on, I have noticed quite a bit of cold flat-spotting from the tires (overnight, or worse after a few days sitting).

I have not narrowed the rpm range down, but the engine does seem a little rough under certain loads accelerating. Our older Honda Accord with a 2.3l engine was smoother, but again I am reserving judgement on that until after the second oil change. Once you are at cruising speed our 5 seems very smooth, and handles hills with the four of us and cargo no problem. All the vibration that we do feel is in the floor/seat - never anything in the steering (only slightly with the cold flat-spotting mentioned above that goes away once the tires warm up).

- JP.

 

[PGCist]

I have the rattle/vibration sound when shifting near the 3K range. The sound is audible front-center, almost like it's below the center cup holders. I try like hell to ignore it, but it's still pretty irritating.

 

[Mark787B]

Thanks-- I think new tires will certainly help though I don't think I should have an out-of-pocket expense like that on a new car. PGCist: I thik you have an issue with a heatshield/hanger. I know that the shield above the muffler on mine rattles.