trouble shifting

[The_Joker]

I recently got a Spec 3+ clutch and Fidanza Aluminum flywheel installed on my car at a local transmission shop. Ever since the installation it has been very hard to shift between gears. It takes a lot more effort to shift now than it used to. Getting it into reverse is the hardest... sometimes i have to use both hands and force it as hard as i can, and a couple times it grinded while going into reverse. When they installed the clutch they took the tranny out of the car and ran it without it in just to see if a ticking noise it had was comming from the engine or the tranny. It was comming from the engine but that is a whole different issue. anyways is this normal to happen after a clutch and flywheel install? What should I do?

 

[ARTTII]

Does the clutch engage at the same height? It sounds like you might still have air in the system, and the clutch is not disengaging fully.

 

[The_Joker]

yes this clutch engages sooner than the stock one. I dont have to push it down as far. but what does that have to t with it?

 

[UrbanRedneck]

What it has to do with it is that if the clutch is dragging (not full disengaging), it will make it harder to shift. My guess is maybe the clutch is too heavy for the factory hydraulic throwout bearing, a lot of people had issues with this and had to upgrade to the RAm hydraulic unit.

Also, is the shop reputable? Improper installation can cause problems like that too.

 

[The_Joker]

It is not a performance shop, it's just a normal transmission shop and I was worried that they might not be the right place to do it because I dont think they install much high performance stuff. But I was in a hurry and my dad likes the place. But im going to take it back to them on monday and they said they would have a look at it.

 

[chad9350]

FWIW

May need to check it yourself or someone you know...

The one thing I didnt do to my car myself was a clutch change; didnt have the time and was going on vacation yadda- yadda.

I get back, and notice a vibration... eventually gets worse.

I eventually have to do what I was avoiding (but should have done myself) was pull trans and check things out... I HAD 4 loose bolts holding clutch to flywheel .

Remember, NO ONE will be as careful and take time and pride in your car like YOU!

Take your time, call a couple of friends (at least one that knows what they are doing! LOL) and check it yourself... the only way you'll REALLY know...

 

[anthony05gt]

You should never put an aftermarket clutch package in with heavier pedal pressure than stock without one of the new aftermarket adjustable throwout bearings from either Mcleod or Ram. The stock TB can't hold up to the pressure forever and the different clutch/flywheel combos have varying distances from the TB which require an adjustable TB. I know it's bad news, but it's true. You should always replace the stock TB/slave when doing a clutch swap even when using the stock clutch package. Good luck with it.

 

[The_Joker]

OK, I took it back and they bled some air out and said there is nothing else they can do and that its how its supposed to be. Its still exactly the same...But when they installed it the first time they did replace the slave cylinder and they charged me like $150 for the replacement so im guessing its just a stock replacement. Im going to find out for sure but if this is the case could this be my problem? Do i need the Mcleod adjustable one?

 

[anthony05gt]

Since you used an aftermarket flywheel and clutch package it changes the distance from the pressure plate diaphram to the throwout brg. Unless the new slave is giving you problems (defective) which i doubt, an adjustable TB/slave set up like the Mcleod or Ram will allow you to set the TB at the proper distance from the diaphram. The only other thing I would suggest is a Ram slave shim. It just bolts in behind the slave/brg to bring it a bit closer to the diaphram. Tranny has to come out for that install. I would just get an adjustable slave/brg. That way you won't have to worry about the cheesy stock one from giving you trouble down the road with that heavier pressure plate you have now.