When considering an upgrade clutch the last thing many owners would be thinking about is any early demise of the unit. Check out the pics below of a very poorly RPS clutch plate recently removed from a twin turbo, there had been clutch judder and poor clearance from day one of the install, but eventually a failing gearbox ( noisy in neutral ) forced a gearbox change and hence the clutch been revealed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bell housing was full of clutch material so early in the strip down it was clear something was amiss, the clutch pedal bite was very high and it was no surprise to see this, however the cause was.

 

 

 

 

Once the gearbox was removed the input shaft float was excessive as was the noise when rotating it, the release bearing was quiet as a church mouse so the gearbox input bearing / idler shaft was defo a gonna.

 

 

The segmented flywheel looked marked but it was only on closer inspection the cause of the unit failure was revealed. One of the segments was very distorted and in fact was holding the plate at a very odd and not flat angle to the rest of the segments. This is the cause of the damage to the edge of the plate, also the judder and the poor bite, and of course all of this could have been what killed the gearbox bearing?

 

 

 

 

 

So how and why?.....simply no idea, the unit is a well proven one and was installed by a well know and respected guy and I have no reason to think it was damaged during installation but the damage was unlikely to of occurred in use, so it can only be it was damaged in transit and maybe (speculation) it was not noticed and maybe combined with a dark workshop ?? don`t know.

 

What this does demonstrate is that even a brand new item be it a clutch, engine component or suspension parts inspection BEFORE fitting is vitally important.

 

A replacement gearbox / clutch sorted the zed out and the delighted owner reported it drove like a different car some days later....all good.

 

Jeff TT

Nice one Jeff. What's best, aftermarket or standard?

My clutch feels very soft when changing gear and bite point isn't at the top but is higher than normal

Nice one Jeff. What's best, aftermarket or standard?

My clutch feels very soft when changing gear and bite point isn't at the top but is higher than normal

 

 

Really depends on your own perception of a good clutch, to be fair Craig most guys buy things like clutch units with the wrong information.

 

What we are all looking for is a soft proggressive pedal and no judder or sharp drive take up but 5million BHP power potential because it sounds good.

 

For the main a 25% upgrade is absolutely fine, this is the best compromise it gives all what you want with a bit extra in reserve if you raise the boost a up to the normal 14 psi. and will not cost the earth and does not require an upgraded (lightened ) flywheel if you dont want one.

 

 

Jeff TT

what clutch would you recomend puting on a TT when fitting a N/A Gearbox and flywheel?? i know its going to be an uprated one for obvious reasons but any suggestions?

Wow, my clutch looks well eaten away lol

Wow, my clutch looks well eaten away lol

 

Its your heavy foot ;) hehe