Got tranny off, clutch disc spring out

[idkiliketurbos]

Well I got my tranny off to figure out why the clutch wouldn't dissengage and I found one of the clutch disc springs sitting between the pressure plate and the disc. So I need a new clutch disc at the very least. What do you guys think I should all get for my car on a limited budget. Also, what do I have to do with the flywheel? I could use some input on what to buy. Here are pics of the pressure plate and clutch disc.

 

[my dreamt dsm]

I don't know what to recommend. Except I have the same kit you have. ACT right... *shrugs*

 

[idkiliketurbos]

I don't even know what clutch set that is. I didn't ever put a new clutch in, I just took it apart. Also, my pressure plate seems to be in good shape. The pressure plate fingers are all straight like they should be, just the clutch disc is messed up.

 

[bmoha2]

Sooner or later someone is going to chime in and reccomend sprung southbend Kevlar friction disc and it's sound advice. Kinda pricey $195 if I remember correct but it lasts a really long time, can handle hellish abuse, is easy on your trann, and has been used by some very heavy hitters such as twick69 etc. Twick69 (tim zimmer) is a member on here and owner of tmz performance specializing in Dsm trannies. Tmz also sells them.

 

[92EagleAWD]

Yeah, its an ACT, prob a 2100 or 2600 with a street disc, unfortunately ACT Sprung discs have a reputation of doing that, same thing has happened in two of my buddies, it generally happens more often when you launch the car hard. But thankfully ACT now sells UN-sprung street discs Cant wait till i have the spare cash to get one and try it out.

Since your not AWD a lightweight flywheel couldnt hurt, but isnt necessary, it will give you better throttle response and your engine will rev faster, but the decreased inertia isnt really a good thing for the awd guys unless they have enough low end power to make it up. But again, not necessary unless yours is glazed or damaged badly.

 

[idkiliketurbos]

Alright, well tomorow I am going to price out my options to try and keep it cheap. So I really only need a new clutch disc?

 

[RoasT BeeF]

I'd replace the PP and the disc. Why not do it since you're right there. Im guessing you dont know the mileage on that clutch since you didnt put it in anyways. My personal recommendation is to stay away from ACT all together. As always a new OEM throw out bearing should go in and clutch fork and pivot ball should be inspected as well.

 

[guitarhero14]

I'd replace the PP and the disc. Why not do it since you're right there. Im guessing you dont know the mileage on that clutch since you didnt put it in anyways. My personal recommendation is to stay away from ACT all together. As always a new OEM throw out bearing should go in and clutch fork and pivot ball should be inspected as well.

At this point, I have to concur. ACT doesn't have the greatest reputation.

 

[bmoha2]

I'm running an Act unsprung four puck, act streetlight flywheel and act2600. I don't think an unsprung friction disc is for everyone. It can engage brutally hard and takes some getting used to. I love it because it is so efficient and reduces ritating mass but... I'm now saving up for a stage 3 tmz tranny as my center diff is sounding terrible. On an awd car an unsprung discl is really hard on the stock two spider gear center diff.

 

[idkiliketurbos]

Alright. My fork seems to be straight and the ball doesn't seem to be ALL that worn. I was thinking about shimming the ball with a washer though. Also, how much power does a stock clutch support? My car is VERY mildly modified and a DD.

 

[TSIfreek]

Depends on how bad the friction surface is burnt/warped. Also put a straight edge over the friction surface to see if its warped. I have a pic of mine were it was about 1/16'' warped (bowed up)
To do a clutch the right way and have it function properly is not a cheap way all depends on what you want out of the car.
Personally I would at least get the flywheel remachined with the proper step height. Get a new clutch kit (OEM throw out bearing, new pressure plate and disk)
Personally I like competition clutches as I have ran there standard organic/kevlar into the 11s and drives stock on the street. They have a great spring retaining sprung disk design and have a 2700 lb pressure plate. Thats all you should need for your power levels.
I bought mine from map Competition Clutch Stage 2 Street Series 2100 Clutch Kit - Modern Automotive Performance
Here is a pic of my pressure plate after 15k street miles alot of learning how to launch and track passes it held up stout no problems except for it warping from excessive heat.

 

[guitarhero14]

Alright. My fork seems to be straight and the ball doesn't seem to be ALL that worn. I was thinking about shimming the ball with a washer though. Also, how much power does a stock clutch support? My car is VERY mildly modified and a DD.

Honestly you will regret going to stock clutch.

TSIfreek has a good suggestion. The 2100 would be perfect if you dont plan on making a bunch of power.

 

[bmoha2]

I did manage to get 43k out of my act2100 and streetdisc. I sproinged a spring on it. I'm not going to berate ACT for it. I tortured that clutch assembly and am amazed it made it that far. One botched launch on an unsprung puck disc and you can be breaking tranny. Some people don't get past the "getting used to" the new unsprung disc before they break something in the tranny. Eliminating one weak point (clutch) for the next weak point (in my case the center diff). It has also been reccommended to be running a Fluidyne or similar crank pulley. Tons of people have and are running act 2600s with sprung street discs successfully. I had been planning to upgrade from the act2100 and streetdisc before I sproinged a spring because the act2100 was slipping badly. The sprung center section is much more forgiving but since it is constantly rotating, compressing and uncompressing springs it's no surprise springs get ejected as they get old. I have also heard of sprung act discs failing at low mileage but I think those are more than likely manufacturers defects.

Act 2100 and streetdisc might do very well for you. I'd never do clutch job without replacing pivot ball, shift fork and buying a brand new oem tob. You're already in there, the parts are inexpensive and very easy to replace. I ran my act 2100 with new stock flywheel and it held to more than 300awhp. At the very least get your old stock flywheel machined and stepped according to spec if you don't get a fancy dancy flywheel. I consider clutchjob in Dsm alot of work and not something I want to have to do once a month

Stock clutch would be a mistake

 

[idkiliketurbos]

If i'm going to go buy a whole new clutch kit and what not, I need to figure out how i'm going to pay for it all. I plan on buying a new TOB no matter what because it seems like the inside of mine is a bit worn. I just need to get this thing back on the road and off jackstands.

 

[bmoha2]

Well... Idk if you neccessarily need a entire new clutch assembly. You definitively need a new friction disc. If you just go with a sprung streetdisc they are inexpensive. You have either a act 2100 of 2600 there. You can tell by weighing them. Even though the act 2600 has more clamping force than the 2100 it weighs quite a bit less. The 2600 weighs just a bit more than 8 pounds on an awd. The act2100 weighs more than 14. Either one would work for your needs right now. If your pressure is not warped reuse it. Get your stock flywheel machined and reuse it. Make sure they step it according to the spec of your pressure plate. Maperformance has some great deals on clutches. A set of new stock flywheel bolts would be a good idea. Maybe $50 to get your flywheel machined? $75?

 

[guitarhero14]

**I know I may get flamed for this**

If you are really strapped for cash, many people have had some great success with XTD clutches off of ebay. I do NOT have personal experience with them but there are plenty of threads on them. Do a bit a research and see what you think.

Maybe $50 to get your flywheel machined? $75?

Cost me $40 to get my rx7 flywheel machined at NAPA.

 

[bmoha2]

Oh heck idkiliketurbos you're a local. If that pressure plate isn't reusable fish around on widsm.org and see if anyone in wi has one they want to let go of for inexpensive. Take a minute to join widsm.org since you're in wi. Not sure where Neenah is but there are good Dsm guys in wi. Gst clutch jobs are a cinch. Much easier than awd clutch jobs. Also maperformance has the best prices on clutches I've found yet and since you're in wi most likely it'll get to you next day. Maperformance also carries oem tobs, pivot balls and forks for real decent prices. I think I remember seeing gst act streetdisc for $140?... Memories bad maybe that was the price for awd disc. If you can reuse the pressure plate, get the flywheel resurfaced and replace your oem bits you can probably get this done for under $300

 

[idkiliketurbos]

I'm actually a member on both of the wisconsin sites. I was looking into a new street disc but I really don't want to get one with the springs and I heard that the unsprung ones very different.

 

[RoasT BeeF]

Alright. My fork seems to be straight and the ball doesn't seem to be ALL that worn. I was thinking about shimming the ball with a washer though.

This caught my attention. What makes you believe it needs to be shimmed? You should really read this entire article ESP towards the bottom where they talk about shimming the pivot ball and such.

RRE's Clutch And Flywheel Tech Info

 

[idkiliketurbos]

What do you guys think of the ACT unsprung street disk?

 

[viperlp01]

How about a South bend Clutch. They are great clutches. If you are interested lmk.. Check out there products here South Bend Clutch - High Performance clutches, Ford Power Stroke & Dodge Ram Truck clutch kits, feramic and ceramic disks, Kevlar pilot bearings, and heavy duty clutches for passenger/racing cars, agricultural and midsize trucks.

 

[livedsm4g63]

You will feel the clutch more since the springs are there to reduced vibration. And it will also be harder on your transmission. But as far as shimming the pivot ball, i would advise against it. All that does is hide the real problem and more then likely will preload your pressure plate. But to each his own.

 

[idkiliketurbos]

Alright so will the regular street disk be a good choice?

 

[livedsm4g63]

Thats what i have in my car and everything is still holding up. I believe its right around $100 for a new disk or so through extremepsi.

 

[idkiliketurbos]

Well I ended up buying a new OEM throw out bearing and act street disc from MaPerformance. I don't ever put the clutch through any tough take offs or anything so it should hold up just fine. My pressure plate seems to be in good shape, not warped or anything. My pivot ball and fork also seem to be in good shape, might have been replaced with the clutch when the previous owner(s) did the clutch job. I have read up on the act disks throwing springs but they all seem to have been from situations where they put the car through some hard take offs and what not.