Mazda Miata Clutch Replacement in Kirkland, WA: Disc Worn to the Rivets, New Flywheel and Rear Main Seal

This 1992 Mazda Miata came into our Kirkland shop at 125,040 miles for a post-purchase inspection. The inspection found a clutch that was finished, and tires that were 13 years old. The owner had us take care of both, along with a brake fluid flush and an oil service, so the car left with a fresh drivetrain and a clean baseline.

What the inspection found

Our multi-point inspection flagged two items in red:

• The clutch. The transmission case was wet at the clutch slave cylinder. When engaged, the clutch had no holding power. The clutch fluid was discolored. The technician’s call: complete clutch service needed.

• The tires. All four were from 2013 and worn out. We recommended four tires and an alignment.

The transmission case at the clutch slave cylinder during the inspection. The inspection noted the case and slave cylinder leaking.

Looking up at the transmission. Wet residue runs down the case from above.

Everything else on the inspection came back green: brake pads at 7mm front and 6mm rear, no warning lights, no engine oil or coolant leaks, steering and suspension, drive belt, heating and AC, and a battery that tested good.

One of the four 2013 tires at inspection. The inspection called all four worn out.

What we found inside

With the transmission out, the cause of the slipping was plain: the clutch disc was worn down to the metal rivets. There was nothing left of the friction material for the clutch to hold with.

The work performed

Clutch, flywheel, rear main seal and clutch hydraulics: $1,800–$2,300. We removed the driveshaft, the center console and shifter, drained the transmission and rear differential, and pulled the transmission. Then:

• Removed the pressure plate, clutch disc and flywheel

• Replaced the rear main seal after cleaning the sealing surface

• Installed a new flywheel and a complete LuK clutch kit: disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing and throwout bearing

• Reinstalled the transmission and replaced both the clutch master cylinder and the slave cylinder, then filled and bled the clutch hydraulics

• Reinstalled the shifter with new genuine Mazda gaskets and insulation boots, then the driveshaft and center console

• Refilled the transmission and rear differential with new 75W-90 synthetic gear oil

Road test: normal clutch engagement, shifting and driveline operation. More on our clutch repair service.

Four tires and alignment: $450–$700. Four new General Altimax RT43 tires, with a four-wheel alignment done by a partner shop. Wheel alignment in Kirkland.

Brake fluid flush: $120–$180. We flushed the brake fluid from the master cylinder, calipers and lines with new DOT 3 fluid, bled the system and road tested it. Brake fluid flush.

Oil service: $40–$70. Full synthetic 5W-30 and a genuine Mazda oil filter, with the multi-point inspection. Oil change service.

What it cost

The visit landed in the $2,600–$3,200 range, completed October 2026. The clutch job was the large majority of it, followed by the tires and alignment.

That range reflects a completed historical project, not a current quote.

Questions about this job

Was the flywheel resurfaced or replaced?

Replaced. The old flywheel came out with the clutch and a new one went in.

Why replace the rear main seal during a clutch job?

It sits behind the flywheel, so the transmission and flywheel have to come out to reach it. On this car it was replaced while everything was already apart.

Were the clutch master and slave cylinders replaced too?

Yes. Both were replaced and the clutch hydraulics were bled with fresh fluid. The inspection had found the slave cylinder area leaking and the clutch fluid discolored.

Do you inspect cars after they’re bought, not just before?

Yes. This one came in for exactly that. See our pre-purchase and safety inspections, and our Mazda repair in Kirkland.

Prepared from our job records for this vehicle: the repair order and technician notes, the multi-point inspection with photos, the parts list and the final invoice.