Clutch problems

AutoXRacer

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Since McLeod made the error in FW, shouldn't they credit you the cost and have you ship back the clutch/fw...?

It shouldn't be up to you to sell their mistake...???
 

tbrock

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Since McLeod made the error in FW, shouldn't they credit you the cost and have you ship back the clutch/fw...?

It shouldn't be up to you to sell their mistake...???

What McLeod is offering is a complete replacement of my clutch and fw. The replacement that was sent out was sent out with the wrong flywheel. I am holding that one for the time being. Another clutch and flywheel is supposed to arrive today. My actual total cost is $3,398 for everything. I would like McLeod step up and pay for some of the install cost I am having to pay. Labor alone is sitting at $1550 since the tranny has been out 3 times now. It is beyond frustrating!
 

AutoXRacer

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Wow!!! I still don't get why they are charging you for the first replacement if its wrong. You can't use it, so they should initiate a pick up and issue you a credit...

Thats crazy!!! McLeod did not pay my labor charges, although, my transmission was not dropped that many times... Wow, thats rough man!!
 

tbrock

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Wow!!! I still don't get why they are charging you for the first replacement if its wrong. You can't use it, so they should initiate a pick up and issue you a credit...

Thats crazy!!! McLeod did not pay my labor charges, although, my transmission was not dropped that many times... Wow, thats rough man!!

I've ony paid for one clutch(original one that will not release correctly). I have one they sent on their dime that has the wrong flywheel(8bolt fw) and another they are paying for that is supposed to be correct(arriving today). I am supposed to send the original (bad RST) back, the wrong (8bolt) RST is supposed to go back as well. What i'm asking for is some help to cover the labor cost incurred trying to trouble shoot their issues. I proposed that they let me keep the brand new RST with Kevlar discs and an 8 bolt flywheel so I can sell it to recoup some cost incurred, or they can cut me a check. It is ridiculous as I put the clutch in the car back in May and it still isn't working correctly.
 

warbird

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A little update on my situation. New clutch arrived but it was setup on the wrong FW. McLeod shipped it with an 8 bolt FW not a 6 bolt? Not sure how that happens when they have a copy of their own original paperwork. Waiting now on the correct clutch FW to arrive. Justin from JPC has been solid! McLeod? Jury is still out. So far I have about $2900 in this clutch (labor and parts) and car is still not running. Clutch is scheduled to arrive tomorrow and the Tech is out until Monday so car won't be done until next week.

I may have an 8 bolt almuminum FW with a RST 10 spline /Kevlar discs clutch for sale that is brand new and personally setup by Lee from McLeod. I'll post in the for sale area soon when I get it worked out. At this point a Spec 3+ would have been waaaay cheaper with much less headaches.

Amen!!.. sorry I ever heard of RST.
 

07 procharger

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im going through the exact same issues as you. I am awaiting my shims from JPC as Justin has talked to Lee about my issues as well. So after 1800 miles on my RST i am dropping my tranny again to install these "shims "

Im not optimistic, I too have a spec 3+ sitting on the shelf that i took out to install this RST
 

tbrock

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Picked the car up today and it feels good. Clutch release is much better than previous clutch. Time will tell. The other clutch felt good at first and then when it got hot it wouldn't release. The 40 minute drive home in traffic was good. Got my fingers crossed!
 

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Awesome!! So far I have roughly 1,500 miles on mine... Knock on wood its still good!!
 

one eyed willy

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i can tell you guys one thing i did that made a big difference and didnt think it would or didnt think it was needed......

i used a vac gun/pump from harbor freight and pulled 20# from the master resevoir while pumping the clutch and pushing the breaks......

it seemed to have really helped my clutch response and getting in/out of gears has been easier since i did it.
 

tbrock

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I bought the bleeder valve that JPC sells which allows you to bleed the system where it connects to the slave unit. $80 was worth it. No more guessing.
 

tbrock

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Awesome!! So far I have roughly 1,500 miles on mine... Knock on wood its still good!!


Good news for you! Now I have about 100 miles and feels good. Love being able to find reverse and not getting stuck in gear. This weekend will tell the true story as I am going to the mtns for a drive. This should get everthing nice and warm. We'll see how things go once it has been running for several hours.
 

Meikol02

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

AutoXRacer

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

I believe most McLeod issues have been resolved with a new clutch and flywheel. Seems like the common factor is the floating plate.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
 

Meikol02

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Question for those of you that have had this issue, was the clearance checked with the flywheel disk to floater ring during the assembly? Talking to another RST user in my neck of the woods he had recieved the Floater ring shims and the problem was resolved. That would make sense if the floater rings had thickness issues.

I know some people have mentioned shimming the T/O bearing, but the shims I am referring to are for the floater ring.

Thanks...
 

AutoXRacer

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Question for those of you that have had this issue, was the clearance checked with the flywheel disk to floater ring during the assembly? Talking to another RST user in my neck of the woods he had recieved the Floater ring shims and the problem was resolved. That would make sense if the floater rings had thickness issues.

I know some people have mentioned shimming the T/O bearing, but the shims I am referring to are for the floater ring.

Thanks...

Regarding my situation, the original floater ring on my RST I believe was machined too thick because the clutch disc between the flywheel and floater ring never broke in with 6K miles. The flywheel surface and floater ring still had the original cross-hatch (is that the correct term?) finish. The clutch disc itself was spotless...never touched!!

So, if you are shimming the floater ring, then I assume your clutch disc is not disengaging at all.

In my case, when the clutch started to heat up, the clutch disc that was not making contact, warped out, creating an engagement point enough to screw up the shifting.

When I bought my RST and Fidanza flywheel, it was never spec-ed out by McLeod since they were shipped from different vendors. I would have assumed that Lamotta Performance who installed it, recommended by McLeod which said they were more than qualified to install due to numerous kits they've installed successfully in the past, would have doubled checked everything. But then again, who expects a brand new part to be manufactured incorrectly...?

What pisses me off is that I spoke with McLeod before ordering the kit and asked them about the manufacturing issue they had with their floater rings and they swore it was corrected and all affected sets were recalled and accounted for. The other thing was they even suggested I buy the Fidanza flywheel to save me a few bucks because it was essentially the exact same flywheel...

My new RXT was assembled at McLeod which I had to buy one of their flywheels; they kept my Fidanza. They installed the floater ring on the flywheel and double checked the tolerances. They warned me, triple warned me to tell the mechanic to not touch the floater ring!!!
 
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Meikol02

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I have a disengagement problem, that is slight and mirrors that of tbrock and another RST user locally (I am sure there are many others). The guy I know locally, had his issue resolved by gaining the proper clearance between the floater ring and the first disk with McLeod shims for the ring. That is what they are sending me.

My issue gets worse as it gets warmed up, and is a PITA after driving in traffic. I talked to Billy a few minutes ago at McLeod to verify what they were sending me and he confirmed most shops (that don't do a lot of RST's) install the assemblies right out of the box with out following the instructions which state to check the clearance between the floater ring and the first disk and shim if necessary. To me that is a catch all, since it was supposed to be checked at McLeod before it went out (Using their steel FW and RST). It should only need shimming if somebody messed with it or it left McLeod out of spec. Billy did tell me that the Floater and disks will have to be checked for flatness and if it is not flat it has to go back to McLeod for a look see and probable replacement. I hope all I need are the spacers, or I am out a whole lot more since this is my DD.
 

AutoXRacer

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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?
 
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tbrock

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

No I didn't use a shim. When we measured everything according to Rams dual disc work sheet a shim wasn't needed and we were afraid that by putting in a shim we would bend the pp forks. McLeod sent me a new clutch pp, and fw. So far so good. They (mcleod) got the old clutch back and "found that it was fine"? Really? Is that why my car would get stuck in gear? I couldn't find reverse? So I am now breaking in the new clutch. If you need a shim let me know I have one brand new that hasn't been used.
 
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