Unusual noise noise with an ACT Clutch?
 

Recently I had the engine out to have it replaced with a MNAO unit. At that time I opted to replace the clutch set with a ACT HD Street/Strip unit.

I have just over 1000km and have noticed something unusual when shifting up under reasonable acceleration (remember at a maximum of 4000 rpm due to low, low KM's so far!)

The noise/vibration is a just at the top of the pedal travel, almost at the point when the clutch finally grabs ans feels like it chatters (you can feel it through the pedal) and hear it as a 'whoop'. Almost like the clutch slips just a bit before lock-up.

Any other ACT owners experiance this?

How about other units?

Suggestions?

Thanks!

Has it done this the entire time you've had the clutch? Does it make the noise the entire time the clutch is out or only during the time you described? (just before clutch grabs)

Hm.
 

Well, mine sometimes does that as well, I think it may be the throwout bearing. Possibly the ACT supplied bearing sucks?

-David Guy

Only really noticed the noise at about the 1000km mark, and it only makes it just before it grabs.

Dag, I don't think that it would be the release bearing, seem more consistant with slippage just before lock-up.

I thought that it could be a result of the harder (more durable?) material used for this disc?

I can prevent the noise by making sure that during the gear change I let the clutch out the entire way (totally engaged) before appling and significant amout of gas. In other words 'no power shifting!'

I had that prob, so did my friend. In my case the throwout bearings were destroyed........3TIMES!!!!! shift then hear rattle rattle....then car would not go out of gear and if it was in neutrl it would not go into gear unless I grinded it into gear.......needless to say I quit on it and sold it...........bought my TII.

I have the same problem, usually when just starting up... I still have my SACHS throwout bearing in there ... it better not be dead....

My noise: it's more of an 'eeeeet' noise personally, but I have an ACT clutch, so I consider this relevent information :-p

Again, I don't think that it is the release bearing, because I can shift all day long without any noise as long as I let the clutch out all of the way before I give it very much gas.

I sent a message to ACT to see what they think, I only have 1200km on this clutch so either it is defective or it is a characteristic of this disc.

...
 

Which is why I think it's the throwout bearing, it's still engaged slightly, then you give it more gas and it spins up again and acts all funky. Either way I'm taking my transmission out and replacing the throwout.

-David Guy

I don't have that problem with mine. What condition was the flywheel in when you installed the clutch?

Mine was heat-checked and required light sanding :D

Re: Hm.
 

I second that, my friend has a prelude, and the same thing described above happened to his clutch...ACT...anyway he replaced the throw out bearing with I believe Exedy, and its fine now.

As this is a MNAO rebuilt engine the flywheel was either new or machined to factory specs, I checked before I installed the engine, it was perfect.

As for the release bearing, it is the piece that directly touches both the release arm and the pressure plate fingers, so I can see how it could be suspect as the cause of the problem OR is it just transmitting the noise from the clutch assembly to the pedal?

I doubt very much whether I would replace it with a Exedy unit (although if you examine the parts used by ACT many of them are manufactured for them by Daikin/Exedy). The unit that I had in there before was Exedy and it was crap IMHO, that bearing was housed in a plastic case and howled all of the time especially while it was in neutral! Add to that the disc was slipping in a major way by 10,000km!

If I don't hear back from ACT soon, I am going to call them to get an answer, especially since the assembly should be still under warranty.

ACT said that it 'sometimes' happens with that model of disc, doesn't affect it's operation, just annoying that's all.

They also said they were hoping to find a cure, but no promises...