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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Clutch troubles, botched install...

  • Thread starter Thread starter eliteJAE
  • Start date Start date Aug 5, 2009

eliteJAE

Member
May 29, 2007
0
1
16
Stanford University
Aug 5, 2009
#1
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #1
So I had a RAM HDX clutch kit installe din my 99 GT about six months ago. It was fine for a while despite constant adjustment to the clutch pedal assembly with stock quadrant.

As of now it seems the clutch is blown to crap. There's severe pedal vibration on the clutch pedal, the clutch fork is bouncing around under revs and knocking off the aluminum shroud that covers the clutch cable to fork union, and the throwout bearing is chirping like crazy.

Ive put maybe 2000 miles on the new clutch, and its already all messed up. At stock pedal height (with no adjustment to stock quadrant) the clutch doesnt even disengage.

I didnt opt in for a new flywheel when i got the clutch installed, i did try to have the mechanic install a steeda adjustable cable but he sent it back to me saying it didnt belong to my car I wouldve installed it myself but i wasnt in state.

What could've gone wrong? I've never seen the clutch fork dance around so much that it was hitting the shroud. I guess its time for another clutch, gonna spring for the flywheel this time, just loking for a GOOD installer near Tucson so its done right this time, since im driving it to cali in septmeber...

any thougts/advice are appreciated, im at a loss why it would go to crap so quickly.

mods are simple bolt on's, nothing to push it past 250rwhp.
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Aug 5, 2009
#2
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #2
Really the only way to know what's going on is to have a look in there. It could be anything from bent/broken fingers on the pressure plate, a broken friction disc, or even the clutch fork having popped off the pivot stud. It's definitely not chatter?
 

eliteJAE

Member
May 29, 2007
0
1
16
Stanford University
Aug 5, 2009
#3
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #3
I thought it was chatter, but it got really bad and the clutch fork jumps around enough during operation to have broken off the clutch fork dust cover plus the throw out bearing is squealing like crazy and its brand new...

i was going to buy a new clutch and flywheel, fork, etc. but now im going to take it to a shop first to see what exactly the problem is because i just bought the clutch not too long ago.

thing is i catn find a good shop to do it lol
 

BlownFiveLiter

have car, will race....wait, it doesn't run
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
3,133
18
108
Chicagoland
Aug 5, 2009
#4
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #4
Fly me out there and I'll do it.

In all honesty, it's not that difficult of a job to tackle yourself, but it is more of a PITA on a T-45 car than a T-5 because of the integrated bellhousing. If you have tools available, or a buddy with tools and a garage to do the job in, buy a case of beer and plan on spending a few hours on your back under the car. It's work well worth your time, since it's probably a few hundred bucks saved.
 

Greenscobie86

Member
May 14, 2008
132
0
17
The Island NY
Aug 5, 2009
#5
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #5
I am having similar problems on my 96GT.

Does your clutch pedal feel very stiff as well? Almost like it is binding?

I also sometimes hear clattering(from the clutch area) when I go over potholes.

I just put a brand new HDX into my car about 3k miles ago.

I am fairly certain that the installation may have been a botched job as well...
Oh, forgot to mention... I am stumped as to what the problem is also lol...
 

eliteJAE

Member
May 29, 2007
0
1
16
Stanford University
Aug 5, 2009
#6
  • Aug 5, 2009
  • #6
Greenscobie86 said:
I am having similar problems on my 96GT.

Does your clutch pedal feel very stiff as well? Almost like it is binding?

I also sometimes hear clattering(from the clutch area) when I go over potholes.

I just put a brand new HDX into my car about 3k miles ago.

I am fairly certain that the installation may have been a botched job as well...
Oh, forgot to mention... I am stumped as to what the problem is also lol...
Click to expand...

well my pedal is stiff from me adjusting the stock quadrant and pawl, but it started out with me hearing a slapping noise, which turned out to be the clutch fork hitting the dust shield till it tore it off, now i have the TOB squealing and grease visibly pushed out of it.

$350 down the drain including install, im looking for someone reputable to do the flywheel + clutch job now, and to take down my tranny to see whats going inside first of all :/ i dont have the proper tools or space unfortunately
 
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