Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Gah! My clutch!

Damn! As I was pulling back into my workplace's parking lot from lunch break about 15 minutes ago, my clutch pedal suddenly went flaccid and limp, and stayed that way, and I could no longer disengage my clutch. The throwout bearing has finally just flat-out gone kaput.

So I'm having it towed down the street to my local transimission shop (they're pretty good, they did the clutch-job on my last 'tour). This SVT was driven hard before I bought it a few months ago, so at 100,000 miles I imagine the clutch needs replacing too, and this is a good opportunity to do so.

But I have a few questions that I could REALLY use some good advice on, A.S.A.P. if possible, like:

-Does a clutch kit typically come WITH a throwout bearing? Or do I have to order that seperately?

-What is a good brand of slightly-better-than-OEM clutch kit? Now that I suddenly have to order one almost immediately, I might as well pick a good one.

-Are the factory OEM clutches crappy? Should I get aftermarket? I plan on getting exhaust and headers and a tuner-chip in the next few years, possibly even a turbo kit of some sort, later on. Can an OEM clutch even handle that stuff?

AAHH! What should I do?

Help please!

Crazy I know, but there is a Transaxle Forum that will answer all those questions.

Many of the kits come with the slave cylinder (which includes the throw out bearing), but often it is the wrong one (Zetec looks almost alike but will not work properly and fail young) and also it is an inferior remanufactured one. You are best off buying a new factory unit no matter what else you get.

I would guess from your description that you have lost either the clutch master or the clutch slave. If it is just the master, it can be replaced without pulling the trans.

If it is the slave, then you should do the clutch while it is down. The SVT clutch is an excellent clutch and you really don't need to look further. Those that feel an upgrade beyond that usually go for the Spec Stage 1. In the Spec series, Stage 2 and above are really a bit too radical for street use.

While the trans is out, now is the time to consider upgrades to it. At least the roller bearing shift forks and an LSD if it can fit the budget. The person who knows that trans the best is Terry Haines of Haines Motorsports. You should be able to find his phone number and/or email if you search around a little bit. Many choose to send their trans to him for overhaul and upgrades.

They'll hafta take my tranny out too?!?! Damn! Well, my third-gear syncros are making those fateful grinding noises, should I look into getting that fixed?

If the trans needs to come out, Yes!

And a Torsen while you are at it!