kkiley

With some great help from the members on this forum, last month I replaced my clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing. The good news is wasn't that bad and everything went smooth....until I went to drive it. Actually, is was very smooth, as the clutch was slipping badly.

I bought the clutch from Grip Force on eBay and called them right away. Went thru the adjustments, tried everything, still would not stop slipping.

I finally pulled it all apart tonight and did some basic math. The maximum length available on the input shaft from the transmission to the flywheel is 3 3/8". Their parts are as follows:
Throw out bearing: 1 3/8"
Pressure plate, from face to forks, 1 3/4"
Clutch disk: 3/8" (and this is after it is worn out)
Total from assembly: 3 1/2"
Total Shaft available: 3 3/8"
These parts are 1/8" bigger than the space available.

This explains what I already knew, that the throw out bearing could not release fully. When the tranny was tightened up, the pressure plate was being compressed. I had no play in the throw out arm.

They said send them some photos and they would contact the mfg in the AM. I'm not holding my breath on this...

kkiley

Looking at Rhinopac/AMS as a replacement. They appear to be one of the major sources for factory replacement parts. Anyone familiar?

K-Tune

iTrader: (26)

Just get an Exedy/Daikin Clutch. You get what you pay for.

kkiley

I really want an Exedy but the only ones I see on eBay are from the jerks I am dealing with now. Who is a good source on them?

dwb87

iTrader: (22)

Google search an authorized Exedy dealer.

kkiley

I prefer referrals from people that know suppliers and actually bought.....Google I can do...

K-Tune

iTrader: (26)

Try Rockauto.

kkiley

Rockauto is who I have had good luck with and they have Beck/Arnley and AMS/RhinoPac. I did my Google research before before asking these questions. I know how the supplier game works, that's why I asked about AMS....

MIDNFauciUSN

iTrader: (8)

+1 for rockauto... good deals, good customer service!

Banzai-Racing

iTrader: (11)

FC Exedy clutch kits http://banzai-racing.com/store/86-91...it_clutch.html

REAmemiya_fan

Just go with the exedy kit from banzai, trust me, worth every penny. Unless you're running boost, there is really no need for anything more than an Oem replacement from exedy.

kkiley

Well, I do have to say that GripForce handled this quickly and are correcting their mistake. The wrong clutch disc was sent. Within 2 hours they contacted me, offered a new disc, I asked for a new pressure plate to go with it. They said ok and it has been shipped.
They asked for a chance to make it right and they did. Can't ask for more than that!

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

strange that everyone is recommending exedy here.

generally i find that exedy is junk aside from their multi disc units, spec clutches are also one that i dont recommend as they do not hold near their rated pressure.

everyone sais you get what you pay for, my O-reilley's generic OE replacement $180 turbo clutch has held up just fine for 65k miles and 350+whp, installed nearly 10 years ago. yet have had spec clutches rated at 450 wheel TORQUE slip at around 285 wheel torque.. machined flywheel, installed myself so i know it was all done properly.

sometimes you get expensive garbage, sometimes you get a decent deal for a decent product. claiming you get what you pay for is bullshit these days, because even previously quality companies outsource many parts to be produced in china. many things i would have bought 10 years ago without a second thought i flip over now and see a little white/black or gold/black sticker on it or on the manufacturers tab at the bottom. junk, almost everything is junk these days regardless of who you think makes it.

K-Tune

iTrader: (26)

Exedy has never let me down in terms of quality or performance. I actually work at oreillys but wouldn't dream of putting one of our clutches in my vehicle, even at stock power levels. We phased out the old brand (power pak or something generic like that) and cary sachs brand clutches now.

brian_skotch

iTrader: (6)

You've ran this clutch for 10 years? How often do you drive the car? Isn't that a little much for even normal clutch wear?

REAmemiya_fan

I trust ZF-Sachs for nearly anything. Its a German brand (quality) and is used in too many to count racing applications (namely Porsche). Although mainly known for their transmissions, their clutch products are ace. I've got the SACHS clutch master and slave cylinders on my FC, and it's really nice.

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

I've always run exedy clutches on my NA. Everything else I've had as been ACT, and I have always been happy with them. They seem like very high quality components.

RotaryEvolution

iTrader: (30)

65k miles, chatters and is a little mushy now but does not slip.

and yes, there's nothing wrong with sachs either, in fact many rebranded clutches are made by sachs.

point is i have had some customers spend money on name brand where specifications were key to their build and the parts didn't even come close to their promise, they didn't even hold out to OE standards.