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Brand new everything... now a dead throwout bearing?

M

Matty K

Hard-core CEG'er
Joined
Apr 17, 2005
Messages
1,192
Location
Aliso Viejo, CA
Hey everyone.

I got my car back about 800 miles ago after a heavy overhaul (including a built TH trans, new master and slave cylinders, new Spec III and flywheel, and pretty much new everything else connected to the system). Well, not long after that, the car developed a metal-on-metal noise when letting out the clutch; mostly when stopped in first, but it can happen when I shift, too. I can sometimes get around it by revving fairly high (3k) and letting the clutch out quick, but that doesn't always work. The sound is like the clutch is skidding and not engaging, and it's extremely loud. After riding with the mechanic today, he says it sounds like a bad throwout bearing (which was replaced with the Spec unit).

Does this sound right? It's less than 1k old, but didn't Spec have some kind of problems with their throwout bearings? And now what do I do?
 
Spec has problems period. Their clutches are garbage, junk. Anyone on here telling people to get a Spec clutch is causing that person to get ripped off with a inferior product.
 
That's funny, I'm quite happy with my Spec. Additionally, everyone I know personally who has a Spec is very happy with it. What clutch do you recommend, Centerforce? lol

Matty K, it sounds like your trans has to come back out, unfortunately. If it's a Spec part that failed, they should stand behind their product.
 
Yeah, it's looking like I'll just order a new clutch, pull it back out, and hope it's ok when it goes together. Which really, REALLY sucks, but what else can I do? I'd rather not wait for it to fail at an inopportune time.
 
Ask Terry Haines over at fordcontour.org about spec clutches. Here is the facts based on my personal experience, SPEC CLUTCHS SUCK!!!! CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW. Spec IS getting a strong reputation for putting out garbage and thats just the facts. If anyone dosnt like it tough. Don't come crying when your Spec fails WAY too soon.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1514510
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=201042
http://www.mustangworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=167897
http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?threadid=168050
Spec Clutch FAQ's from ScienceofSpeed [Archive] - NSX Prime
We call Spec and they say it needs to be broken in. Not a chance, the clutch completely failed. I called Spec and talk with Dave, he agrees ...
www.nsxprime.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-32580.... [Found on Ask.com]
http://www.sr20forum.com/showthread.php?p=1829571
 
I posted over there, I'll see what he says. For now, though, please abandon the Spec smear campaign; we get it, you don't like them. Which is fine, but I'm moreso looking for confirmation of this being a throwout bearing.
 
After talking (at length) with Terry, there's pretty much no way this is a slave/TOB problem, since it occurs during engagement and not when the clutch is fully depressed. Speaking of depressed, I am, as the trans is coming back out in favor of an OEM SVT clutch, and possibly a replaced flywheel, depending on what damage we find. I'll keep everyone informed. There will be many, many words with Spec if I find out something broke on their clutch....
 
in regards to spec i have ran there stage 2 and 3 (in my 5.0) an have nothing but the best things to say never had any problems
 
I pulled a spec stage 2 out of mine about 2-3k miles after buying the car, no complaints other than it had no business being on a bone stock daily driver...sucked in that sense.

On the TOB, just 2 cents worth to throw in here...I replaced that spec with a factory type (not sourced from the dealer but same supplier and part #) and the new TOB had a seal failure upon installation. It can happen no matter who's part it is, sometimes your number is just up.
 
Yeah. Resolution was an improperly installed Spec flywheel (too loose/none of those fancy washers) that was banging on the clutch on engagement. Replaced with a Fidanza FW/stock clutch and problem's solved.
 
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