Hey all,
I am positive that this has been asked many a time before, but i searched and couldn't quite find what i was looking for. Basically, my clutch is going out. Car is at 69k and i don't believe it has had a clutch replacement yet (i couldnt find any receipts for it in the ones that were included with the car). Im not too surprised with the clutch going out, as i am the 6th owner of the car, and i drive like a high schooler (funny considering that i am in highschool...haha). Anyways, a month or two ago, the clutch started making a terrible screech when letting the pedal out. Needless to say, a couple days ago, it started getting mushy and a few things changed. Basically, it was a really hot day, and i was driving in traffic. I stalled, and i could not figure out why (i havent stalled since i learned stick)... well, i guess i did save it though,i put the clutch to the floor as soon as i could, and it kicked back to life. Basically, the clutch pedal got all mushy, and needed to be pushed in farther to be disengaged, the points of engagement and disengagement have changed a little, to the point where i can no longer do quick shifting.

I have decided to go for an aftermarket clutch and flywheel. I am thinking of getting a clutchmasters kit, and a fidanza flywheel from eurosport, and having a guy i know install it. Anyways, for those familiar with the clutchmasters, theres a few different options for the pressure plate. I want something thats going to last me a while, so im thinking the fx200 is the one... just looking for opinions on that?

also, how long do you think i have before the clutch completely goes out? it slips a tiny bit sometimes, but nothing thats really that noticeable unless i think about it, or give it some revs. mainly the pedal just feels mushy!

anyways, just looking for opinions on the clutch/flywheel.

thanks a ton for any input!
-Austin

mods: if this has been covered way too much and all im going to do is annoy the crap out of people, then feel free to delete/move the thread.

 

The squeal could be a glazed flywheel. Mine squeals too on take off occasionally. I get a little slippage in first, but nothing bad. It just doesn't grab like it used to. It also sounds like you might have a bad slave cylinder. I'd try that first and have the system bled.

 

I've heard more than a few people recommend not getting the clutchmaster kit recently. I went with the ACT ss kit and act flywheel. I love the feel and have no clutch chatter with my kit.

 

I've been hearing/ reading the same thing. I'm looking at a clutch job real soon and if I can't afford an OS Giken, then I'm going with Crazy Ivan's setup and get ACT clutch components.

 

hmm, thanks for the advice guys. i guess act it is then. where can i find them? ive only seen spec and cm kits online...

also, for whatever reason, its really tough to shift into first, like it feels like theres some resistence somewhere in the shifting system that makes me have to push a little harder than normal to push the shifter into first. I only notice it when im stopped, well i guess i only shift into first when im stopped anyways, but any ideas what this could be from?

also, how much did it cost to have the clutch/flywheel replaced? im probably going to have the master and slave cylinders replaced at the same time, just to ensure that i have a good clutch system.

 

It sounds more like a hydraulic problem and less of a clutch problem. I would check those first. If all you have to do is replace a slave and bleed then you will be saving yourself a lot of money. How many miles on your car?

I got mine when I was your age and recently had the transmission out to install a limited slip diff. The clutch had so much life left on it I didnt even bother to replace it, and I have been driving the car hard since day 1.

 

hmm, well maybe ill have them replaced first, and then see what happens after that. The car has 69k on it, and im the 6th owner. Also, though i did learn stick on this car, which took it down a little bit. Plus i rarely find myself throwing it in neutral at stop lights (really bad habbit, i know). I drive pretty hard, and like to shift pretty quick. Well anyways, ill see what happens when i have the slave and master cylinders installed, might as well try that first.

Ill have that replaced real soon (unless i can do this myself?) and see where im at from there.

thanks for all the help guys!

 

Tell them they need to have the slave fully compressed when trying to bleed it out.

 

ok, will do. how much will they charge for the service? and am i able to change out the slave myself or not?

 

I had the clutch replaced and it cost me 1400.00 Took about 1.5 days to complete the job. I would reccommend replacing the slave cylinder since it is attached to the transmission.

 

+1

I also have the chubahka squeel on occasion at first start up in the morning. 99.9% of the time it happens one time when cold and has been like that for some time, but the clutch works fine.

So could be the mushy pedal and sound you hearing is unrelated. So don't be too quick to buy a new clutch.

Go the slave first and bleed the system like FD suggested.