Protege5Lava

I've had this problem since I had my 2002 P5 in Oct. 2001. At times when starting to drive from a complete or rolling start, my front wheels would "start hopping", I know I'm not stalling because my rpm is appropriate when I start letting go of the clutch. At times it hops really really bad, I can literally see my hood bounce, but not all the time.... Can someone help me... give me tips??

carguycw

Does it hop when you're trying to peel out, or just when you're trying to start moving at regular speed?

If it's only when you peel out, this is a common Pro problem that is caused by a combination of shock tuning and soft stock motor mounts. Try launching at slightly higher rpm and slipping the clutch a bit (i.e. engage it smoothly rather than "dumping" it). This lessens the shock on the drivetrain and will make the car launch smoother. It can also be fixed with stiffer motor mounts if you're willing to live with the side effects.

If it happens when you start moving slowly, you have a case of Infamous Late-Model Mazda Clutch Chatter. Get the clutch replaced. In the meantime, slip the clutch more.

Bumble_G

I have the clutch chatter too but only when the car is cold.

Will the dealer replace the clutch under warante or just flip me the bird and say learn to drive.

pollax

Actually quite a few cars suffer from wheel hop when peeling out so this is somewhat normal. Like carguycw said, it's caused by the motor mounts and suspension tuning.

Unless your clutch is damaged or there is a recall, they most likely will tell you to bugger off. Unless of course you have a super nice dealership. It's worth a shot though just to ask in case you do have one of those rare super nice dealerships.

Protege5Lava

Thanks for your info. The "bunny hopping" happens when I start slowly, but yes if I "slip-it" a little (more gas) it goes away, but it can be very embarassing when the car starts hopping when you start slowly, normally , but anyways I did take it to the dealer, and you know what happens... it doesn't jump anymore, and they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it... they said that the clutch is "sealed" or something like that, I think that's their way of not having to do the work on it But thanks a lot for your help

Protege5Lava

Thanks! No, I don't have one of those nice dealerships , of course it doesn't jump when I took it to them and there's no recall on them... I don't peel out so I think it's something else. Thanks again for all of you that replied

Protege5Lava

They probably won't give you the bird, but they'll probably say there is nothing wrong and come back when the problem comes back... but best of luck to you... I fell that it can be a real embarassment when it happens when I just try to drive normally.

DBR

if you're talking about the low speed bunny hop:

- a few months ago, i heard a K&N filter helped, but it didn't work for me.

- this week i heard that the sparkco plug wires helped, so i bought some, and i'd say they did make a noticeable improvement, but it's still there.

- i still want to give this idea another try, which involves altering the shape of the throttle disk:

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...&threadid=9901

Carlos

My P5 has serious case of this clutch chatter as well when I use the clutch normally the first time in a day. Same situation with bouncing car, it literally feels like the engine will get ripped right off its mounts if I dont catch it soon enough and clutch in.

Anyway, has anyone had a clutch replaced by Mazda to remedy this. My question is whether or not it would even make a difference, being since your replacing a shitty clutch with another shitty clutch. This is all kind of frustrating... This car is so damn near perfection, and a weak *** clutch and shitty engine mounts are getting in the way.

It's kind of interesting, my last 2 cars, a 2001 Civic sedan (lemon) and a replacement 2001 civic coupe were very nearly unqualified pieces of crap, with the exception of the sweetest (albeit underpowered) drivetrain you could imagine. Now I've traded it for a car perfect in almost all areas except the drivetrain. I guess you cant win them all.

azrakain

I have the same problem when I take off in the morning. Usually from the first 3-4 stop lights. I'm making an appointment to have this checked out on monday.

sandman

add me to the list!! just recently started having this problem too.. first had it at aroun 14000km and it's been happening since.. (at 16000 now)

Same symptoms.. happens on nice and easy starts, rather than higher rpm launches, only when the tranny is cold.

Scared the bejeezus out of me the first time it happened.. thought i broke something cuz it was such a bad sound/feeling..

Keep us posted as to how things go!

alcoholiday

i'm having it too. since 8000 km. next oil change i'm getting it looked at and mentioning that many people are experiencing it.

chukonu

It's been happening since the car was 5000 kms. Took to the dealer once to check and of course they told me they couldn't duplicate that told me everything is fine
Now the car is at 12000 kams and it's getting less frequent. Although I would say it's becasue of the warmer summer temp. I would say it happens 70% of the time if the morning is cool (under 10c/50F) It usually happens during those gentle start(2000rpm-2700rpm). My girlfriend's been telling me the reason is plain and simple- my M/T driving suck!
Of course all of us here know that's not about bad driving..... waiting for the temp to go down again during fall and winter and prove to the dealer..... again!!

azrakain

Its from hot spots on the flywheel. It will jump around til you get the flywheel warmed up and the flywheel surface will then be even and will not cause "the hop"
Check out this thread. http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=13257
I'm getting a new flywheel and clutch under warranty. Everyone let mazda know whats up so they can send a recall out.

wilmit

I have this also, but I would not expect mazda to take care of it under warantee, I just warm up my clutch in the drive way while I am putting on my seatbelt and there is no more hopping for me..