Clutch Pedal Feel with different manufacturers and clutch discs

[mikejames27]

Ive had an ACT 2600 with 6 puck sprung disk and the pedal was very stiff. Now I have a Clutchmaster FX400 with their 2600 pressure plate and 4 puck disk. I just bled the new ss line and its definitely not spongy. The clutch pedal feel is nowhere close to the same as ACT's. Do different manufacturers use different fulcrum points? Is there less pedal feel because of the 4 puck? I cant imagine the disc having anything to do with it? Its definitely stiffer than stock, just nothing close to the ACT. The car isnt up and running yet so this is all pedal feel just sitting there. Any ideas?

 

[Atuca]

The day I installed my brand new ACT flywheel and 2900 clutch, the pedal felt so amazing and stiff and a feeling I only dream about.. because a few weeks after that the pedal became more soft and the "engage" point seemed to have moved.

Even after a new master and slave, no change.


It is possible what you are experiencing is just the feel of a new clutch that is not broke in yet, I believe they suggest 500 miles before you launch on a new cutch, but that is all hearsay, so take it as you will!

 

[AWD_FIEND]

The tension the pressure plate creates doesnt, or shouldnt change through the life of the clutch, so clutch break in wont change the pedal feel. What does occur during clutch break in is similar to what occurs when bedding in brake pads. The tiny ridges and valleys in the pressure plate surface and clutch surface are knocked down and the pattern is mated while they wear. The difference you're feeling between the ACT and Clutchmasters is definitely either a difference in fulcrum ratio, or possibly inconsistencies related to pressure plate ratings.

 

[Atuca]

Please excuse my inexperience, but with the little ridges off set ect that are bedding in, with them there wouldn't that cause a change in the contact surface which would in turn change the clutch engage point, or the feel of the clutch overall? Once bedded in the whole surface would make contact?

Or am I really just crazy for assuming these things? Its possible my pedal felt softer because my leg grew twice as big using an ACT2900 for a few weeks

 

[AWD_FIEND]

Its possible my pedal felt softer because my leg grew twice as big using an ACT2900 for a few weeks

Now thats a possibility I hadnt considered. Perhaps some imperical data might be helpful, did you by chance measure the diameter of your leg before using the ACT2900? If so measure its diameter now and subtract the difference so the rest of us can increase our leg diameter appropriately.

The ridges and valleys are microscopic and therefore dont affect clutch engagment even slightly. They show up to the naked eye as cross-hatching from the lathe, but their effects are imperceptible.