Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle Help!!!

I don't remember that well just how the clutch failed, but a couple of years ago there was a rash of new clutch failures from one particular brand of high performance clutches. It turned out to be from installing the wrong slave cylinder at the time of the installation. The slave cylinder was furnished by the clutch company as part of the package. Evidently the Zetec slave cylinder is very similar but enough different to be not compatible. You may want to search back and see if any of those experiences fit your problem.

Well, live and learn. I was not aware that kevlar was so sensitive to wear, or else i would have stuck with OEM or maybe a Stage I. I told my mechanic to order an OEM, being that it can take a lot more than I though it could and because it was flawless up to the point that it wore at 83K miles. I've had the car since 56K miles, so I don't know it it was beat on earlier.

Well, as long as my subframe is down, my MSDS headers are going on also. At least I get a little consolation.

Hey, can I get a thumbs up for being the closest guess?


Sorry to hear about it but like you say at least you can put the headers on and I'm sure you won't be unhappy with your OEM clutch. The problem I have is that Spec should warranty the clutch. If they do then you can just get the Stage1 instead so you don't loose any money. The stage one looks to be a damned good clutch, and they already have your money. If the linings failed due to poor rivets or glues, then you may be able to get them to swap you out with a stage one. Everything else can probably be the same.
If you are set on an OEM now then still try to exchange the disc and when it comes in sell the clutch kit as a new spec stage1 with slightly used pressure plate and TO bearing. A slight sanding or resurfacing is probably all the pressure plate needs, if that.

Tom

The OEM has already been ordered. This is my daily driver and I really needed it to be fixed as fast as possible. I'll try to get a warranty claim for the Spec and then resell it on the board to anyone who wants it to try and recoup some of the expenditure.

I should have it back with the MSDS headers installed tomorrow. Luckily, my Redline MTL also showed up, so my mechanic also changed out the break-in trannie fluid from when I had the Torsen installed.

Bad thing is I'll have to break in the clutch again before I can try out the headers. But by then my custom CAI from Brad Noon should be ready.

Which reminds me. Need to ask some questions in the performance forum.

An OEM organic clutch doesn't require the extensive amount of break-in time. Just do a couple of days city driving before you go romping on it. After clutch jobs that I've done for other people all I have done was run it around stop-go traffic for about 15 minutes to seat everything, get rid of the initial smell, and make sure there were no problems.

I looked at the kevlar clutch today after dropping off my headers at the shop. The material was completely worn away, and the pressure plate was scored. It's a complete loss. My mechanic is also replacing the TO bearing and the Slave Cylinder also. He also found that my end links in my rear were shot, so he is installing new ones also. There was no sign of leakage or oil anywhere.

Too bad I didn't order my intake tube and TB from bnoon earlier. everything could have been in by Tuesday.

That sucks. I don't understand how everything could have been worn away in a few thousand miles. Maybe the rivets holding the linings failed and then it got all chewed up.

I'd definitely be on the phone to SPEC and chewing their asses about the product! Take a bunch of photos and look for the remnants of the disc material in the bellhousing.