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Stiff clutch pedal and wide engagement range?

6K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  slavuta 
#1 ·
I just recently picked up an 11 Mazda 3s Sport 2.5. I'm coming from a 6 speed VW and the clutch in this Mazda seems so much different, is it normal?

I find the clutch pedal very stiff and the engagement range is sooooo wide. Like it starts engaging about 1" off the floor then there's about about 1.5" of slipping range before the clutch is completely engaged.
 
#2 ·
The wide engagement range is the hardest part to get used to especially on hill starts. You let out the clutch and feel the clutch grab but it's not quite enough to hold the car from rolling back.

I see mixed reviews of the clutches on these cars, some say the pedal is super easy and others say it's stiff. Strange.
 
#3 ·
I love Mazda clutch, and I had 3 Mazda cars with manuals. I drove Corolla sport with manual and it has very light clutch. I actually didn't like that. You getting used car and clutch might have been replaced as well. so, who knows whats is in there, in-front of flywheel? How many miles are on your car? I know that on my '98 Protege I had original clutch @195K miles. And it acted not different from when it was new. Also, I never looked in Mazda, but many cars have clutch pedal adjustable from inside the cabin. Basically, you can lower it if you feel it travels too much.
 
#4 ·
I swapped out my clutch with a new Exedy OEM and I had the flywheel resurfaced like it should have been done from the factory by being Blanchard ground. The machine shop said the flywheel was so bad and the factory finish was like nothing he had ever seen before. Now the clutch is exactly like it should be! Perfect pedal feel and the engagement range is now spot on.
 
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