I Hate My Car! Clutch Problems Now Maybe!

[ike34]

I went for a little drive this morning, didn't do anything, didn't beat on my car or anything. When I pull into my driveway, a good incline, smoke just starts pouring out of my cowl of my hood and from under my car and a chattering type noise starts coming from my car. I have never really smelt a burning clutch before but Im pretty sure it was that, or I dont know what it would be.

Is it most likely that my clutch is gone? Or could it be the cable but I just installed a new one from Maximum Motorsports along with there quadrant and adjuster and have had no problems before this morning. It never seemed to slip before or anything it just grabbed and my car took off before, now I'm scared to start my car and move it.

Im really bummed now I was planning on going to the track tonight

 

[2000xp8]

Why did you install the cable and quadrant? Was there a problem?
More than likely your install and the current problem are related.
This is why i like the factory quadrant.

 

[HISSIN50]

Which way was the car inclined?
Was the clutch pedal at rest when you heard the chattering noise or did that occur when you tried to move the car?

Once you got the car level again, what happened?

 

[ike34]

Why did you install the cable and quadrant? Was there a problem?
More than likely your install and the current problem are related.
This is why i like the factory quadrant.

I installed the cable and quadrant because the cable on the car snapped and the bbk quadrant that was on the car wouldnt work with the mm cable. I had it adjusted so there was alittle free travel before the pedal would move anything.

Which way was the car inclined?
Was the clutch pedal at rest when you heard the chattering noise or did that occur when you tried to move the car?

Once you got the car level again, what happened?

The car was inclined up a hill, the pedal was down when the chattering started

 

[HISSIN50]

The MM stuff is excellent IMHO (I have the same kit on my car). I'd be inclined to rule out an issue with those components themselves.

Because you were parked uphill, have you looked at the back of the block to see if you have oil leaking down the back side? Check the PCV valve as well (clean the screen and the valve. Be sure the valve's spring is functional [rattling does not mean the PCV valve is good]).
The former comment is in regard to an oil leak contaminating the clutch, and the latter is for a blocked crankcase evac system, which often leads to a RMS leak [onto the clutch].

I would also be sure the adjustment is dialed in. If the clutch is preloaded too much, it can lead to chattering.

Random thoughts.
Good luck.

 

[ike34]

The MM stuff is excellent IMHO (I have the same kit on my car). I'd be inclined to rule out an issue with those components themselves.

Because you were parked uphill, have you looked at the back of the block to see if you have oil leaking down the back side? Check the PCV valve as well (clean the screen and the valve. Be sure the valve's spring is functional [rattling does not mean the PCV valve is good]).
The former comment is in regard to an oil leak contaminating the clutch, and the latter is for a blocked crankcase evac system, which often leads to a RMS leak [onto the clutch].

I would also be sure the adjustment is dialed in. If the clutch is preloaded too much, it can lead to chattering.

Random thoughts.
Good luck.

I have my pcv blocked off and I have a breather on the valve cover. Anyway, Im going to start taking it apart today and investigating. Ill keep you posted on what I found.

Thanks for the help

 

[1987stangman]

The MM stuff is excellent IMHO (I have the same kit on my car). I'd be inclined to rule out an issue with those components themselves.

Because you were parked uphill, have you looked at the back of the block to see if you have oil leaking down the back side? Check the PCV valve as well (clean the screen and the valve. Be sure the valve's spring is functional [rattling does not mean the PCV valve is good]).
The former comment is in regard to an oil leak contaminating the clutch, and the latter is for a blocked crankcase evac system, which often leads to a RMS leak [onto the clutch].

I would also be sure the adjustment is dialed in. If the clutch is preloaded too much, it can lead to chattering.

Random thoughts.
Good luck.

I agree with Hisson, But did you check the temp gauge when this happend? You could have a ruptured back heater hose leaking coolant too or a EGR spacer hose leaking onto the block. It is possible that your clutch cable could have burned the clutch a bit but I have never peorsonaly seen a clutch "pour" smoke. Clutch buring has a horrible distict smell, like no other!

 

[ike34]

I got the trans pretty much ready to come out, I have everything disconnected except the bell housing to engine block bolts.

How heavy is a T-5? How should I go about disconnecting it from the block? Do you think I could do it by myself with a floor jack, or should get a buddy to help?

 

[2000xp8]

Get some help, i smashed my finger pretty bad once doing it by myself.
I believe it's about 90 lbs.

 

[cenok is family]

nah you don't need help. i weigh 135 lbs and i can pull/install t5's all day by myself. they weigh more like 70lbs. i find it easier to disconnect the tranny from the bell first and then pulling the bell off after. they'll need to be disconnected anyway when you go to install it all back.

also, unless you want to be soaked in ATF, either drain the tranny or seal off the output shaft with something after you pull the d/s.

 

[ike34]

I got the trans out today, it wasnt that bad getting it out, and I found some things:

Throw out bearing completely destroyed there was only 4 ball bearings left in it

The front bearing retainer is all scratched up and worn

The pressure plate has hot spots on it and the fingers are screwed up from the throw out bearing

The clutch looks worn

My flywheel also has hots spots on it

It was a basic centerforce I believe, it was installed by the previous owner and I'm unsure of the mileage on it and the abuse it has taken.

So its been a fun day!

Is there anything else I should consider replacing while I have it out?

 

[cenok is family]

replace the pilot bearing as well. how does the rear main look?

 

[ike34]

replace the pilot bearing as well. how does the rear main look?

Ok, how hard is it to replace the pilot bearing?

The rear main looks like its not leaking, which surprises me I thought it might be


What would be a good clutch for my combination?
I plan on upping the boost to 8PSI in the future along with Methanol Injection

 

[ike34]

I have just been doing some looking at parts Im going to get for my car.
I have been looking at Centerforce's DF Clutch would that work well with my car and give me some room to grow performance wise?
I also have been looking at flywheels, mine has hot spots all over it, should I resurface it? Or should I just replace it, Summit has a one for $100, is there really a big difference between flywheels that Im going to notice beside maybe revving a little quicker with an aluminum one?

 

[2000xp8]

I'd use the Ford racing stock replacement flywheel.

 

[stykthyn]

all your low end is going to fly out the window with an aluminum wheel. unless you spend all your time in the upper rpm spectrum I would not get one.

 

[allballsmustang]

i used the frpp stock replacement and the centerforce dual friction... over a year later, still in great shape... i also used the ram pilot bearing, and i replaced the fork because the metal clip on mine was shot...

 

[ike34]

Thanks for your help guys

Heres my parts list:

CenterForce Dual Friction Clutch
Ford Racing OE Flywheel
Throw Out Bearing (Not Sure Which Brand Yet?)
Pilot Bearing
Steel Front Bearing Retainer (Stock One Is Worn)
Clutch Fork (Chewed Up From Throw Out Bearing)
New Trans Mount (Stock One Is Shot)
Speedo Gear For 4.10s (Was Never Changed With Gears By Previous Owner)
Water Pump (Stock One Is Junk)
Trac Lock Rebuild (I Have One Wheel Wonder Right Now!)

This Winter Should Be Fun Installing All My Needed Parts

 

[ike34]

I got all my stuff and started installing everything today after work, I got everything put in but the trans because when I went to switch over my bearing retainer to my new steel retainer the shims or back of the bearing wouldn't fit into it, I purchased it from 50 resto, I guess I will have to give them a call and see what the problem is. Its like a 1/16th of an inch too small.