TantrumSKID
20+ Year Contributor
- 32
- 0
- Apr 15, 2003
-
Jackson Heights,
New York
Just posting to see if anyone can give me some feedback on my problem. As the title to the post describes, I've had a clutch install (SPEC Stage II) done TWICE and things still haven't gone right. The first time it was done at Turbotrix, it was a botched job. I don't want to get into it, but if you want to know the details there is a review at vendors-reviewed.com. Basically, after the install I had bad grinding/vibration noises on decel, especially around the 3000RPM (+/- 1000RPM) range. Also, during the initial days of getting my car back, I noticed there was a very distinct cricket chirping audible from the passenger wheel well area. The chirping would be present at idle with the car in neutral. As soon as the clutch is pushed in, it goes away. When you let off the pedal, after a few seconds it starts right up again. From various research, I discovered that it was most likely the TOB at fault. I also learned we should really use the OEM ones only because they are plastic sleeved as opposed to the metal sleeved ones commonly included in aftermarket clutch kits. Seeing as how I would most likely need to replace the TOB anyway, I this time went to a friend-recommended mechanic, his name's Ed, to get the work done.
Since my friend was very close with Ed, we were allowed to hang out in the shop, put the car on the lift ourselves and look around for any visible problems that wouldn't be so easily spotted with the support of an ordinary hand jack. As soon as the car was in the air, the chirping noise became VERY apparent. We were able to immediately pinpoint where it was coming from. The clutch fork (visible end) was vibrating back and forth with a good 1/4 - 1/2 inch of play. At this point Ed saw it and said, it may not even be the throwout bearing that's bad, but something else causing the TOB to make that noise. I left the car there through the week and during the teardown process Ed found the flywheel to be pretty badly burnt. Turns out Turbotrix didn't cut/resurface it and just put the new clutch on the old flywheel. Long story short, he had the flywheel properly cut to a step height of .610, put in a new OEM throwout bearing just to be safe, and put everything back together. He was even nice enough to sand, paint, and polish up the tranny while it was out. We thought we had pretty much tackled all the possibilities. Turns out we're back to square one.
The day I picked up the car, everything seemed fine. We put it on the lift again and the clutch fork was still vibrating but just ever so slightly. Nowhere near the extents that it was at. I took it for a road test, and the noises seemed to have disappeared (decel noises was still very slightly there, but I figured I could live with it if that's the only symptom that would stay permanent).
It is now four days later, and we're all stumped. The chirping/cricket noise has come back, the decel vibrations/grinding are completely back, ergo NOTHING has changed. I haven't had the time to drop by Ed's again yet, but I will by the end of the week. I'm going to say with almost 100% confidence that the clutch fork is probably moving as much as it was before as well.
If anyone has ANY idea of what could be causing these symptoms pleaes feel free to chime in. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Mike
Since my friend was very close with Ed, we were allowed to hang out in the shop, put the car on the lift ourselves and look around for any visible problems that wouldn't be so easily spotted with the support of an ordinary hand jack. As soon as the car was in the air, the chirping noise became VERY apparent. We were able to immediately pinpoint where it was coming from. The clutch fork (visible end) was vibrating back and forth with a good 1/4 - 1/2 inch of play. At this point Ed saw it and said, it may not even be the throwout bearing that's bad, but something else causing the TOB to make that noise. I left the car there through the week and during the teardown process Ed found the flywheel to be pretty badly burnt. Turns out Turbotrix didn't cut/resurface it and just put the new clutch on the old flywheel. Long story short, he had the flywheel properly cut to a step height of .610, put in a new OEM throwout bearing just to be safe, and put everything back together. He was even nice enough to sand, paint, and polish up the tranny while it was out. We thought we had pretty much tackled all the possibilities. Turns out we're back to square one.
The day I picked up the car, everything seemed fine. We put it on the lift again and the clutch fork was still vibrating but just ever so slightly. Nowhere near the extents that it was at. I took it for a road test, and the noises seemed to have disappeared (decel noises was still very slightly there, but I figured I could live with it if that's the only symptom that would stay permanent).
It is now four days later, and we're all stumped. The chirping/cricket noise has come back, the decel vibrations/grinding are completely back, ergo NOTHING has changed. I haven't had the time to drop by Ed's again yet, but I will by the end of the week. I'm going to say with almost 100% confidence that the clutch fork is probably moving as much as it was before as well.
If anyone has ANY idea of what could be causing these symptoms pleaes feel free to chime in. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
-Mike
