+1 to Mazda on coming through for me. Some of you guys might have read my thread about the bolts in my bellhousing on my FD stripping out after installation of my ACT S/S clutch w/ HD pressure plate. For those of you who didn't; it makes no difference...
So anyways, I went to my local Mazda dealership almost 2 weeks ago to buy a new bellhousing. According to the dealership database, there were NO *NEW* FD bellhousings in the entire US, OR in Japan. The parts dept. manager put it on a hot list for me, and 10 days later; a Mazda factory in Japan cranked out a lone bellhousing and had it shipped to my local dealership. Tax, tag, and title for the bellhousing w/ special order shipping was $425 and some change. Steep maybe? Sure. Do I care? No. Round 2 on the install and so far a success. I absolutely love my new clutch and my FD is on the road again. I rarely if ever see anyone post any positive experiences with Mazda and it's dealerships, so I figured I would share mine.

 

good story. glad you are back.

 

How exactly do you strip out bolts on a bellhousing, when the threads are in the engine and not the bellhousing?

The only bolt holes in the bellhousing that get affected during a clutch job are the slave cyl mounting holes and the lower starter bolt hole.

 

I apologize for the confusion... It was the 2 bolts that hold the clutch fork I believe it is?

 

Ah, I see. I would have thought there's enough meat left there you could have tapped and went up to a hair larger bolt, perhaps a standard. Screw some bellhousing swapping!

I also would have bought a (readily available) jspec trans either for use as a whole, or for parts/spare for when you break synchros later, rather than pay that much just for a bellhousing.

Good that you got it straight, though.

 

i got some trusty ngk spark plugs at the mazda dealer today....it was funny cause the box was dusty...and the counter lady said they dont move many of them....but they still gottem in stoc

 

should have just Helicoiled it. would be VERY easy on those holes.

 

I would have tapped them and put tapered studs in with locktight, make it stronger than stock.

But is very impressive that mazda actually made a new one just for you. Also, I have bought plugs at least 10 times from 8 or so different parts stores, I am yet to find one that doesn't have them in stock.

 

for an extra 100 bucks you could have had another tranny... i understand the story though!

 

Come on people, don't say that, and make the guy look stupid... he can damn well order a new bellhousing if he doesn't think his current one is up to par. Also, he didn't mention, but perpaps there was another major problem with it that justified acquiring a new one?

 

^ your kidding right? what other problems could there be with that small of an area? im not being a dick but the bellhousing is quite a small area... rock on!!!

 

The gist of this story is the Mazda response.....and I say a big thumbs up to that too. God knows that Mazda and 'customer service satisfaction' have been oxymorons for a long time.

But yeah, I too would have put a Heli-coil or a KEENSERT in there, just for future reference.

 

While it's cool you got a new bellhousing made up for you, I have to ask why you couldn't settle for a used bellhousing? I still have one spare here in my garage.

I'm guessing that since you took the car to Mazda for the work, then their policy requires always installing a brand new part? (It still seems pretty silly). Especially when parts like floor mats, gauge hoods, and a/c panels are no longer being made, and used parts are nowhere to be found.

Dave

 

Acccctually.... That was done too... and the bolts pulled the helicoils out of the bellhousing as well... I wanted to choke someone after I heard that. Thats why I just said F*** it and bought a new bellhousing. I considered buying a used tranny, but I didn't want to risk buying one and having the bellhousing on it fail as well due to improper clutch installation or whatever else could have befallen it during it's lifetime. Nothing beats new... except free...

In response to your questions Dave... I searched the for sale section for a used Bellhousing, but the only one I could find was put up for sale back in early 06 and the guy told me he had loooong sold it. I couldn't wait any longer and post a wtb for one either. Rotorsports was going to sell me a used tranny for $700, but I just didn't want to risk it. The Mazda Master Techs that did the work on my 7 no longer work for Mazda. They started up their own shop which I have been taking all 3 of my vehicle to since 2002. For all that work and labor of pulling the tranny twice, and so much more that I don't care to list; their bill was less than $250.