One of the lessons at Summit Point yesterday involved accelerating and stopping hard. Several folks were spinning their tires at launch, and I decided to do the same. I hit the gas, then popped the clutch, and very little happened. I moved, but not quickly. I tried second, and it was not much better. The "hard stop" was an easy one, as I had very little speed when I reached the box.

I did not try that again, and the car seemed fine for the rest of the track day.

Diagnosis? The car has about 45,000 miles, and I do not have a history of trashing clutches, or even spinning my tires, for that matter.

Repair? Replace? Cost?

Would some of the experts on this forum let me know what I am up against here?

 

Well, give a little more info. Were the revs spinning, or did the car just falter?

Here's the obvious question, was the DSC (traction control) off?

Randy

 

i was able to spin tyres a few times during yesterday at summit point,
but my vehicle's DSC will allow that w/ the LSD.

 

I am abvout 95% certain the ASC was off. The engine revved, it just didn't go very fast, as if the clutch was slipping. I've not gotten into the ASC very much, but this did not feel like I remember it. If I hit the gas while launching on a bumpy road, it just seems to kill the throttle. This felt like slipping to me, though it has been an extremely long time since I've had a clutch go bad, so I guess it is possible I am not reacting properly here.

My instructor said he smelled clutch, but all I was able to smell was brakes, as I was several runs into the day by then.

The problem did not continue after that, but neither did I try to spin my tires again.

 

Hows that?

 

*bump*

 

My suggestion is to run out to the car, turn off the ASC, and dump the clutch. Tell me if it lights up the tires or if it lights up the clutch by revving without going anywhere. One of those two things should happen.

Thanks!
Randy

 

I tried something like that several times on the drive home today. I can induce moderate wheelspin both with the ASC on and with the ASC off. I didn't try revving it high before trying it, since I was afraid I might be making the problem even worse.

The problem on the track came after multiple launches and stops, with two passengers in the car as well. Might repetition or weight have played a role?

 

Thats weird....when my ASC is on, my car will fall on its face if i try spinnin em.

 

I don't even have to dump my '05, simply engage it quicly above 4,000 and the tires fry until I let up, litterally.

 

How high do you guys rev it up in normal driving? I do like 1000-1500, but know some people who go 2000-2500. Isn't that bad for it?

 

You really shouldn't be doing anything under 2k rpms with the car in gear and the clutch engaged.

 

If you are getting "wheel" spin with ASC mode on, I would suggest that your clutch is going. The car sounds like it is spinning, but really it is the clutch disc against the flywheel - the tires aren't moving. The ASC will allow this all day long, but it will NOT allow wheel spin - the car will fall flat until the spinning stops.

Are you still under warranty?

Randy

 

Yes, still under warranty. Will try to verify what is actually spinning. I did not take the revs especially high for these tests.

 

Theres nothing to test.....Whatever it is your not going to fix it being you have warranty so id just bring it in and let the dealer do what there getting paid to do. First clutch replacement is on the house....Next ones one you!

 

The point is that I have not been able to replicate what happened on the track. Does that mean I do not have a clutch problem?

 

NO......If what your saying is that you only had this problem ON the track and hasnt done it since...then you heated that sucker up to the point that it was slipping ( just like brakes ) ....I wouldnt worry about it then until its a BIGGER problem which happens all the time....Good luck!

 

Full Disclosure: I am not an auto mechanic. I have never even played one on TV.

I have, however, driven a stick for roughly 30 years, and I have never once heard of this happening. A clutch getting hot, slipping, and then returning to normal? Has that ever happened to you or anyone you know? Lotsa cars were driven much harder than mine that day. It seems like clutches should have been slipping left and right, but I did not hear a single word to that effect.

Is this really something that happens?

Phil

 

yea... plus you got to watch it when your tire wear on the fronts is half the tread of the rears in.... under 3000 mi... oh pooey...

-Josh

 

I just rotated mine at 4k on my car and half the tread left.

 

Yes it can happen. Go to UCC's site and find the explanation of clutch materials. It'll tell you the characteristics of each stage of clutch. A stock clutch can overheat and return to normal operation. I wouldn't expect to get many miles on a clutch used in this sort of way though.

 

This is a joke, right?

 

Right..........The material on the clutch disc will glaze up ( just like brakes ) and will come back after normal driving conditions of about X amount of miles....Now the flywheel wont do this and is goin to stay glazed which will give you less contact points which wont hold the disc as good as it should. Your clutch is pretty much spent and dont be surprised when you try jumpin on it one time and you lose it again or all together.

 

Actually, no. I wasn't very specific.

I was talking about how much gas you give it while you slip the clutch in order to get under way.

 

Never noticed my rpms....i just blip the throttle and off we go.