Best way to break in a clutch?

Nvidia

Member

May 30, 2005

62

0

7

Valencia, California

Apr 1, 2006

#1

• Apr 1, 2006

• #1

Well, I'm going to go pick up my car today after the clutch finally gave up (everything down there was wasted).

I was just wondering what you all do to break in a new clutch? Anything I can't do with it besides dropping the clutch? Can I still hammer the car down roads without any problems? Thanks for reading.

 

tunedin302

I AM the law!!!

Jul 29, 2004

1,251

2

36

Pennsylvania

Apr 1, 2006

#2

• Apr 1, 2006

• #2

Take it easy the first 500 miles. Try to do a lot of stops and starts but keep you RPMs lower than normal and your foot out of the water pump.

 

J

jjd975

Founding Member

Jul 17, 2000

4,236

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louisville,kentucky

Apr 1, 2006

#3

• Apr 1, 2006

• #3

What he said. Spec told me 500 miles of stop and go driving.

 

DW5.0L

Member

May 28, 2005

172

0

16

Florida

Apr 1, 2006

#4

• Apr 1, 2006

• #4

Just drive it normally for the first 500 miles or so. Failure to do so could affect its longevity. I know its hard to take it easy, but it will be worth it in the long run. I am in the same position after rebuilding my car.

 

Roland69

Sergeant Tangnet

Sep 17, 2005

2,867

3

58

Port Elgin, Ontario

Apr 1, 2006

#5

• Apr 1, 2006

• #5

I have heard stop and go for the first little while helps and drive normally for the first 2-3 weeks and I don't know about this but someone I know swear's by taking off in 3rd a few times to "glaze or smoke" the clutch. I guess it would be like seating the piston rings or working in new brake rotors and pads.

I would just take it easy for the first while in town and you should be fine after that.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Apr 1, 2006

#6

• Apr 1, 2006

• #6

Roland69 said:

I don't know about this but someone I know swear's by taking off in 3rd a few times to "glaze or smoke" the clutch.

Click to expand...

Roland, trust your instincts (you knew that sounded hinky). That is some bad methodology there; that's the one thing you are trying not to do.

The idea behind breaking in a clutch is not horribly different than the burnishing procedure on brakes.

Another vote to take it easy and avoid extremes - no WOT launches and no slipping it. Heat cycling can be good for it too.

Good luck and enjoy.

 

Nvidia

Member

May 30, 2005

62

0

7

Valencia, California

Apr 1, 2006

#7

• Apr 1, 2006

• #7

*sigh* just got it back.

The engaging point for it is about 3/4ths up the pedal. From what I've been told in the past, the engine should start to choke about 1/3rd of the way up the pedal, correct?

They put in a new cable and a quadrant adjuster with it. Think it just needs to be adjusted? Can I do that in my garage, so I don't have to take it back to them? They ****ed up this clutch thing like 4 times already, and I can't afford to miss another day of work. Help.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,260

17,945

224

Massachusetts

Apr 1, 2006

#8

• Apr 1, 2006

• #8

Yes you can adjust it in your garage.

WHat brand adjuster is it?

 

Nvidia

Member

May 30, 2005

62

0

7

Valencia, California

Apr 1, 2006

#9

• Apr 1, 2006

• #9

I tried to get a copy of the repair order, but because it's a saturday, barely anyone was there. So I don't know what brand adjuster it is. How would I go about adjusting it? Where's it located? How far off the ground do I need to lift the car, or can I go in from above?

Sorry for all the noob questions.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Apr 1, 2006

#10

• Apr 1, 2006

• #10

Is it an adjustable cable or do you have a FWA (or both)?

 

Mavrick

Founding Member

Aug 29, 2002

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Collingwood, ON

Apr 1, 2006

#11

• Apr 1, 2006

• #11

My engangement point is very high too.. probably around 3/4's to the top of the pedal. What's wrong with that?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

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Apr 1, 2006

#12

• Apr 1, 2006

• #12

Mavrick said:

My engangement point is very high too.. probably around 3/4's to the top of the pedal. What's wrong with that?

Click to expand...

Dial some slack into the adjustment.

 

Mavrick

Founding Member

Aug 29, 2002

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46

Collingwood, ON

Apr 2, 2006

#13

• Apr 2, 2006

• #13

I don't have any adjustment. Stock cable with a centerforce dual friction clutch.

Aslong as the clutch is fully disengauging, then why would this be an issue for anything other than comfort?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Apr 2, 2006

#14

• Apr 2, 2006

• #14

Mavrick said:

I don't have any adjustment. Stock cable with a centerforce dual friction clutch.

Aslong as the clutch is fully disengauging, then why would this be an issue for anything other than comfort?

Click to expand...

That's fine. Since you posted, we (or I) thought you suspected an issue with not engaging all the way. That's something only you would know (after the first post we didnt know what quadrant you have, and different ones have different uptake. If mine was engaging that high, it would slip like crazy, for example).
You know what's up Mav - you were just testing me.

 

JimBowy

Member

Nov 8, 2003

330

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17

Downriver, Mi

Apr 2, 2006

#15

• Apr 2, 2006

• #15

Nvidia said:

Well, I'm going to go pick up my car today after the clutch finally gave up (everything down there was wasted).

I was just wondering what you all do to break in a new clutch? Anything I can't do with it besides dropping the clutch? Can I still hammer the car down roads without any problems? Thanks for reading.

Click to expand...

500 miles, city driving

highway is cool too but you can't cheat and leave it in 4th gear for 400 miles.... you need to keep shifting.... I would just down/upshift every so often on the 50 mph roads.

 

Mavrick

Founding Member

Aug 29, 2002

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Collingwood, ON

Apr 2, 2006

#16

• Apr 2, 2006

• #16

Still sharp as a tack eh Hissin,