Hi guys I just replaced my stock clutch with the ACT clutch today. The clutch is doing fine once I go to 2nd, 3rd, and so on. But when I launch from a dead stop, the clutch is chattering when i released it very slowly, is this okay?

 

New clutches do that sometimes. Even the older Exedy unit in my Miata chatters from time to time.
It *might* get better over time, though the increased clamping force from the ACT pressure plate is probably making the engagement rough.
How is the pedal feel?
I've had ACT clutches my some of my cars and I always thought they were a bit too heavy.

 

The Act HD for the rx8 is too heavy IMHO

 

i'm not too happy with my ACT...make sure you adjust ur pedal throw if it feels to short...don't wanna start ripping apart ur gears

 

the pedal feel is okay i guess, even though the engagement is a little too quick than I expected. So I tried to released it more slowly when I launch the car from a dead stop, but it chatters, and it's a bit worse if I launch at higher rpm. So I was thinking if I shouldn't released the clutch that slow. The clutch feels good at high rpm and for heel-and-toe, it definitely works as good as I expected.

 

did you align the ppf?


beers

 

if its engaging so quick u should probably adjust your pedal...if the throw is too short it will not fully pull the fingers off the clutch and you'll be riding the clutch a lot

 

Should we educate him on the bracket issue, too?

 

I installed the clutch at AAMCO, I don't know if they did that

 

how to adjust the pedal? do I need to bring back my car to AAMCO? btw can you explain "the throw is too short" in more detail. i don't know if i understand that correctly

 

yeah I guess , how is the bracket affecting the clutch operation?

 

I think that's a very good idea. https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/clutch-pedal-came-off-111024/ is a good start.

I needed a new clutch and from the symptoms I listed, CRH mentioned the bracket issue. I looked for a separation in the pedal assembly but didn't see anything. I bought the ACT combo with the prolight flywheel and had them installed. The next week my clutch pedal basically came off. The bracket that holds the clutch pedal assembly to the firewall broke, leaving my clutch pedal loose.

I argued that the loose bracket was the reason my original clutch wore so quickly, and Mazda hinted that it was the stronger pressure plate in my new ACT clutch caused my bracket to fail. Long story short, there are at least 6 people who have had this issue. In the end they installed a new bracket under warranty.

CRH, If you ever get around to making a stronger bracket I'm first in line.

 

did they reservice the flywheel??
if not your clutch will chatter.

 

might get a service manual and learn how to do it.. or show it to the guys that did the work..

it is kinda important. pm me if you need the section and i will email it to you... unless you are 56k.

beers

 

Just curious if it isn't also here:
http://www.finishlineperformance.com...per_recall.pdf

Starting on page 6 is the install of the PPF specifically. Does this procedure in the recall supersede the procedure in the online 2004 manual?

Laters!
Edgardo

 

yes, they did. they actually told me that they were going to machine the flywheel even though i didn't ask for it.

 

#16 is the key in this pdf.

beers

 

i've never heard about this. can i still ask mazda service to perform this recall after replacing my clutch with aftermarket product?

 

depending on the build date of the car, it was probably already done..

email comming..

beers

 

*Note Added*

Im going to keep these papers around me and when the shop going to *reinstall* Im going to make sure that everything is right ...

 

did you get the email?

beers

 

Just curious, are you e-mailing something other than is already covered in the link to the damper recall & service manual? http://www.finishlineperformance.com...per_recall.pdf

I am wondering if there is further information that you may have that is not covered in those resources

Thanks!
Edgardo

 

swoope probably emailed you the shop manual. if he did , it will actually cover the whole clutch area. More complete

 

To be honest, I don't even like the feel of the new bracket the dealership installed when mine went bad. It seems too easy for the pedal to move sideways off the floor "button", or pad the pedal hits when fully depressed. I'll look into making a bunch of new brackets to firm up the feel and strengthen the bracket so we can use grossly over-rated clutches in the future.

 

SWEET!

Can I buy one from you? (when you're done, of course)