Clutch problems

[tbrock]

My issues were just like you described...

When the engine/clutch was cold, I was able to shift fine, not perfectly since I felt slight notchy-ness, but was able to shift. As the car warmed up, the issues would start to get worst, not being able to downshift or get into gear...mostly 1st and 2nd...hard 3rd. If I was stuck in traffic, game over... I was not able to disengage unless I yanked on the shifter. The only way I was able to get around it was to slightly rev the engine until the gear slipped in...

The whole shim story is BS to me!!! Why would you need shims unless there is a manufacturing flaw where they are producing either clutch discs and/or floater plates with varying thicknesses. In my opinion, it should not be needed...shouldn't all flywheels be flat across the friction surface and pressure plate mount edge; especially on a steel version that does not have a bolted friction disc?

Thank you Autoxracer! You have perfectly described what my issue was. Funny thing is that when my clutch was reinstalled with the McLeod flywheel we checked all of the tolerances and they seemed fine, but with heat came the issue of not shifting! I'm so pissed at McLeod right now because they say my old clutch checks out fine! Really. Put it in a car and drive it awhile and then tell me what you find! I think they may have an issue with the pad compound swelling with heat as well.

So far new clutch is okay but I've only drive it a 100 miles.

 

[tbrock]

So the shims solved the issues? I am also having the same problems. Shims sent out today for mine.

Shim I have is a TOB shim. Sounds like you are shimming floater ring etc. Good luck and please post results.

 

[tbrock]

In fairness to McLeod I believe that I may have mentioned that I spoke with a "Keith" during my conversations with them. I was mistaken the person that I spoke to on several occassions was Billy and Lee. When my first clutch arrived it had rust on the PP surface and I sent pictures to Billy as I was concerned that the rust would leave marks in the PP that could effect the clutch performance. He told me to clean up the PP surface and it would be fine?

1st question: Why does a new clutch show up with rust on the pp?

I just wanted to be clear in the interest of full disclosure. Sorry if their is a Keith at McLeod I never spoke to you. Billy and Lee have been the contacts. Justin at JPC has been 1st rate.

Seems like a quality control issue with a supplier or in house.

How much $$$ have we wasted trouble shooting their issue! So far I've got over $3,000 in parts and labor. Shouldn't we get some kind of research and development funding kick back for helping them solve this? That is a set of cams!

 

[Meikol02]

There is definetly some expansion happening after heat is applied.

And yes I am going to shim the floater ring if it is not warped...

McLeod is also having lots of issues with this problem (today at least) as when I called back, Billy had me mixed up with other customers and had to go look up notes to remember who I was. Not uncommon for a busy vendor, but the very same issue is reoccuring in several instances. Sometimes it is apparently installation error. Then there are at least three of you on here that have had a manufacturing problem cause it.

They have been responsive so far.

 

[AutoXRacer]

I have to say that McLeod gave me great customer service in terms of returning my calls, answering all my questions, helping me with my issue...

But, I still paid out of pocket for an R&R due to their 6 month old clutch with 6K miles failing. I gave them my $300 or whatever I paid Fidanza flywheel to just turn around and buy their +$600 flywheel...although I have to disclose they gave me a discount which ended up costing me roughly $400.

I did get an upgrade out of this though. I originally purchased a "failed" RST and ended up with an RXT.

I just feel like McLeod did not acknowledge that it was their fault and minimized my costs. Although, I can't complain too much since some of you guys have a whole lot more invested in this fiasco.

There is definetly some expansion happening after heat is applied.

I too agree... McLeod was quick to upgrade my RST to the RXT stating the RXT is a lot more resistant to heat...
Or was it that they just felt bad and realized it was their fault, so they threw me a bone...?

 

[tbrock]

The upgrades are nice and appreciated/really expected when there is a problem. My problem is how much it cost to drop the tranny if you don't have the capability yourself. As I explained to Lee and Paul Lee I had a budget going into this clutch upgrade and I have now doubled what I intended to spend! None of the additional money spent is through any error on my part or that of the person installing my clutch. It all falls back to getting bad info from McLeod on what flywheels are compatible, and faulty product. Frustrating to say the least.

 

[Meikol02]

I guess a good moral is to only use McLeod if you can have one of there recognized dealers install it. And one that has significant experience with it. Otherwise you risk getting totally hosed.

I was warned before I bought the RST that twin discs can be more tricky to set up properly, but there are so many upsides on a street vehicle with decent power to make it seem worth while. A good shop that has lots of experience should be able to handle this no problem, right? Well apparently not, if you don't double check what you got from the manufacturer. (To be fair I was told something similiar by JDM regarding Spec clutches and proper inspection of the shipped components before installation.)

I used a Mustang performance shop I think tbrock said he used Ford, then I talked to another shop that installs lots of RST's and they almost never have a problem.

It really sucks that we hae to pay for bad Quality control.

 

[tbrock]

I guess a good moral is to only use McLeod if you can have one of there recognized dealers install it. And one that has significant experience with it. Otherwise you risk getting totally hosed.

I was warned before I bought the RST that twin discs can be more tricky to set up properly, but there are so many upsides on a street vehicle with decent power to make it seem worth while. A good shop that has lots of experience should be able to handle this no problem, right? Well apparently not, if you don't double check what you got from the manufacturer. (To be fair I was told something similiar by JDM regarding Spec clutches and proper inspection of the shipped components before installation.)

I used a Mustang performance shop I think tbrock said he used Ford, then I talked to another shop that installs lots of RST's and they almost never have a problem.

It really sucks that we hae to pay for bad Quality control.

+1,000 on that.

 

[bigray327]

Update on my clunking situation. I removed the McLeod RXT clutch and flywheel and installed a Ram Street Dual Disc Force 9.5 and its associated aluminum flywheel. Aside from the normal break-in chatter with dual discs, it's quiet and smooth. So despite going to an authorized dealer and getting high-def disassembled pictures to Red himself, McLeod was wrong and the problem WAS their hardware.

I'm going to return it to them, and see what they'll do to make it right. I'm betting they'll do nothing.

 

[Meikol02]

Well, that sucks...I'll get an update on mine Tuesday when it gets shimmed.

 

[bigray327]

Well, that sucks...I'll get an update on mine Tuesday when it gets shimmed.

Good luck. Speaking of, I have a TOB shim I'm not using anymore, if anyone wants one. Oh, and a McLeod RXT clutch and flywheel.

 

[Meikol02]

Floater ring shimmed today...shop checked the clearance and it was .000" before the shims. Experience would have caught that before it was complete and I would never have had any issues.

Billy, from McLeod had sent me six .010" shims so now I am .020" just in spec, but operating properly (per the shop). Thanks for the help from McLeod in getting it rectified. Hopefully this is enough to keep the heat expansion from draggin a disk.

 

[tbrock]

Floater ring shimmed today...shop checked the clearance and it was .000" before the shims. Experience would have caught that before it was complete and I would never have had any issues.

Billy, from McLeod had sent me six .010" shims so now I am .020" just in spec, but operating properly (per the shop). Thanks for the help from McLeod in getting it rectified. Hopefully this is enough to keep the heat expansion from draggin a disk.

Any offer from McLeod to help cover some of your expense since the clutch wasn't shimmed correctly to begin with?

 

[Meikol02]

No, they sent the shims without question but I didn't even ask. I figured from there position they stated on teh website to check it during install as a catch-all. Since my shop failed to verify, it is an installation problem.

 

[bigray327]

No, they sent the shims without question but I didn't even ask. I figured from there position they stated on teh website to check it during install as a catch-all. Since my shop failed to verify, it is an installation problem.

It's that shady "it's your fault" mentality that caused me to switch to RAM, since I had the transmission out yet again. It cost me $500 in labor every time it was out, so after the second time, I told myself I was going to swap the clutch and flywheel the next time. The McLeod product doesn't deserve to be in my car.

 

[tbrock]

It's that shady "it's your fault" mentality that caused me to switch to RAM, since I had the transmission out yet again. It cost me $500 in labor every time it was out, so after the second time, I told myself I was going to swap the clutch and flywheel the next time. The McLeod product doesn't deserve to be in my car.

I hear ya! $3300 in parts and labor for one damn clutch! Dropped the tranny 3 times trouble shooting McLeods production/manufacturing problems.

 

[luckychance]

this thread is scarying the crap out of me...i feel for you all and crossing my fingers on mine. i just want to put my input for what its worth (plus im trying to get post count up) but i got 500 break in miles on the rst with the shims courtesy of mcleod. the clutch is smooth but there is a little vibration/chatter when im light on the gas at 1500-1700 rpms shifting into second, none if im heavy on the gas. im told its normal to have some chatter with dual disk and hope it goes away but otherwise seeing what everyones been thru ill be content with that.

 

[bigray327]

this thread is scarying the crap out of me...i feel for you all and crossing my fingers on mine. i just want to put my input for what its worth (plus im trying to get post count up) but i got 500 break in miles on the rst with the shims courtesy of mcleod. the clutch is smooth but there is a little vibration/chatter when im light on the gas at 1500-1700 rpms shifting into second, none if im heavy on the gas. im told its normal to have some chatter with dual disk and hope it goes away but otherwise seeing what everyones been thru ill be content with that.

A little chatter during break-in is normal with dual disc clutches. Most of it should go away, but don't be surprised if some of it remains. That's just the way they are... chattery. Good luck with yours.

P.S. Nobody cares about post counts.

P.P.S. My RXT and flywheel will be hitting the for sale section for a ridiculously low price, soon. PM me if anyone wants first dibs.

 

[smoken1986]

I will add a bit to this thread for those who would like some more info. I to have a 6060 swap, with spec steel flywheel and rst. I have not had any issues with this set up till the last month. Shifted fine when cold in all gears but the longer I drove it, it would get notchy when stopped. Reverse would start to grind (when hot). With that said I talked to Justin at JPC (fantastic customer service) and he suggested trying to bleed the system to see if anything changed, if not pull the clutch and FW and send it to McLeod to be checked.

What I found today pulling the clutch was the inner disc never even broke in on the floater ring and the other side did. So the floater ring was not shimmed correctly. So I only had one disc working the whole time.

So its off to McLeod this week.

 

[AutoXRacer]

Thats exactly what happened to my RST!!! My RST failed at 5K miles...

In your case its not shims, the floating ring was machined too thick!!