clutch shudder

bazzal · Postby **bazzal** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:02 pm

could anyone point me in the right direction to get my clutch fixed in the illawarra area.
l have a 2002 NB3 and the clutch shudder is so bad the whole car feels like it is going to fall apart. l have read a lot of post that say this is a common problem and to suk it up, but it is not a problem l want to put up with. help me please!!'

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Mon Dec 17, 2012 9:09 pm

The usual reasons for shudder are oil contamination on the clutch plate and broken engine mounts. Oil contamination means you have an oil leak, probably at the back of the engine, and you need a new clutch. Any good mechanic can do a clutch and rear oil seal change and check/replace mounts. You just need to make sure he uses a good quality clutch replacement. Exedy is the brand most often recommended on this forum.

You need someone to test it and get a proper diagnosis though before you stump up for a clutch change.

bazzal · Postby **bazzal** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:42 am

thanks for the info, are there any MX5 specialist in wollongong area??

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 9:07 am

It was a known problem with the NB8B, Mazda switched from asbestos based to organic based friction material, and it took a couple of revisions to get it right. My car had 2 replacements under warranty, and I just replaced the last one a few months ago (with an exedy HD something or other)

Any competent workshop should have zero difficulty replacing a clutch.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 10:42 am

Caffeine wrote:It was a known problem with the NB8B...

+1 - think they had it sorted by the time the NB8C/ NB8 series 3 was released in 2002.

May be have a look at Guran or Hellmun's posts for a mech as they live in the area.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 11:10 am

93_Clubman wrote:
Caffeine wrote:It was a known problem with the NB8B...

+1 - think they had it sorted by the time the NB8C/ NB8 series 3 was released in 2002.

May be have a look at Guran or Hellmun's posts for a mech as they live in the area.

There were various revisions to the clutch, each progressively better. Mine ended up with the 5th (and I think last) revision which lasted nearly 150000km. (Still had plenty of meat on it but I was doing a rear main seal change, so replaced the clutch anyway) I'm not sure specifically when each revision was introduced

Kobsy · Postby **Kobsy** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:37 pm

bazzal wrote:thanks for the info, are there any MX5 specialist in wollongong area??

Bazz, I'm not sure if anyone will have the time to do a job like this before Xmas.

I do know someone in Oak Flats that has experience with MX-5s. Sent you a PM.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 12:40 pm

Caffeine wrote:
93_Clubman wrote:
Caffeine wrote:It was a known problem with the NB8B...

+1 - think they had it sorted by the time the NB8C/ NB8 series 3 was released in 2002.

May be have a look at Guran or Hellmun's posts for a mech as they live in the area.

There were various revisions to the clutch, each progressively better. Mine ended up with the 5th (and I think last) revision which lasted nearly 150000km. (Still had plenty of meat on it but I was doing a rear main seal change, so replaced the clutch anyway) I'm not sure specifically when each revision was introduced

My NB8C had the clutch problem and I had two replaced under warranty. They wouldn't slip in the SE clutch which was fine and would have fixed the problem. As Caff said, much written about it. You could take a quick drive up to Deckspeed at Padstow and have Daniel do it for you in about 3 hours.

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Dec 18, 2012 6:57 pm

all of the above. A standard Exedy clutch will work fine. A clutch installer should be able to do this without a prob. ie clutch kit ( they will supply) reface flywheel and you should get a warranty on the labour and of course the clutch. Will cost you prob $800 or thereabouts.