Anyone with aftermarket flywheel please read!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Somers Point New Jersey
Anyone with aftermarket flywheel please read!!
98 MN6 Coupe
So I have had a terrible mystery problem since my clutch/flywheel replacement last year. During clutch engagement I get a terrible "EERRRRRRPPPPP" noise. The clutch is a Spec stage 3 and the flywheel is Fidanza billet aluminum. I called Spec's tech dept today to see if maybe the clutch and flywheel were not compatible with each other but the guy said they are fine. He told me the noise is amplified gear noise caused by switching from a dual mass flywheel to single mass. Does that make a bit of sense to anyone and has anyone else using single mass flywheels had any noise issues. This problem didnt start until about 400 miles after install, just about broken in. Anyway, the noise is LOUD. Like very embarrassingly loud. I am tearing the car down now to see if I can find any clutch damage/torque tube play, I just can't believe its "normal, amplified" gear noise.
So I have had a terrible mystery problem since my clutch/flywheel replacement last year. During clutch engagement I get a terrible "EERRRRRRPPPPP" noise. The clutch is a Spec stage 3 and the flywheel is Fidanza billet aluminum. I called Spec's tech dept today to see if maybe the clutch and flywheel were not compatible with each other but the guy said they are fine. He told me the noise is amplified gear noise caused by switching from a dual mass flywheel to single mass. Does that make a bit of sense to anyone and has anyone else using single mass flywheels had any noise issues. This problem didnt start until about 400 miles after install, just about broken in. Anyway, the noise is LOUD. Like very embarrassingly loud. I am tearing the car down now to see if I can find any clutch damage/torque tube play, I just can't believe its "normal, amplified" gear noise.
Last edited by Targa98; Mar 2, 2010 at 05:18 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 1
From: Sartell Minnesota
i think i've heard to stay away from a regular bearing and get a bushing which is solid and just put heavy grease in there. I'm not sure it's the same as like my '96 Z28 but that's what was recommended when i did that
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
I used to get that noise on my 6-puck ACT clutch on my 350hp rice mobile. It was from being a 6-puck and the friction disk having copper in it and wanting to grab instead of slip. It eventually went away, but it took many embarrassing months. Could also be a problem where the clutch took a ****. You're smart for tearing it back down to find out. 
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,722
Likes: 138
From: Florida
St. Jude Donor '09
98 MN6 Coupe
He told me the noise is amplified gear noise caused by switching from a dual mass flywheel to single mass. Does that make a bit of sense to anyone and has anyone else using single mass flywheels had any noise issues. This problem didnt start until about 400 miles after install, just about broken in. Anyway, the noise is LOUD. Like very embarrassingly loud. I am tearing the car down now to see if I can find any clutch damage/torque tube play, I just can't believe its "normal, amplified" gear noise.
He told me the noise is amplified gear noise caused by switching from a dual mass flywheel to single mass. Does that make a bit of sense to anyone and has anyone else using single mass flywheels had any noise issues. This problem didnt start until about 400 miles after install, just about broken in. Anyway, the noise is LOUD. Like very embarrassingly loud. I am tearing the car down now to see if I can find any clutch damage/torque tube play, I just can't believe its "normal, amplified" gear noise.
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Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 544
Likes: 16
From: Ramona CA
I have the same issues with mine when cold but also goes away when warmed up. I have been pumping the clutch about 20 times before I get moving when could seems to help. I was thinking about replacing the master cylinder with the tick.
Last edited by AQWIKZ; Mar 3, 2010 at 02:18 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 4
From: Oakley CA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Somers Point New Jersey
Yes exactly. Well it used to anyways, it has gotten worse and worse, now it doesnt matter what temp it does it warm too. Car is still in the garage btw, just started taking it apart today. Very busy life and my shop is 30 mins from my home.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 169
Likes: 36
From: China Spring TX
I owned a clutch rebuilding company for 29 years an heard about this many times. It's simply the friction material (ceramic bronze) if it's a button clutch, engaging with the flywheel/pressure plate. It's normal and to be expected. I built a 6 puck for my car using a rigid hub with no dampening springs, but used a combination of bronze and Fibertuff buttons. It is in a dedicated autocross car and as smooth and quiet as a stock car. Both are made by SK Wellman (a friction company). I believe that in their great wisdom, Wellman has discontinued Fibertuff. Miba or Friction Proudcts may still make a compatible to Fibertuff. ANY good clutch shop can do the same thing. You don't have to go to a major supplier to get a "stage 1,2,3" clutch. The 'stages' are nothing but a marketing tool - it means NOTHING. Just find a good clutch shop in your area or I can recommend my old shop since I'm now retired. They will custom build and ship out anywhere.
ref772@yahoo.com
ref772@yahoo.com
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 465
Likes: 16
If you have a Fidanza there are a couple of issues unless they have changed the product in the last 2 years or so.
First, new out of the box, it needs to go to a shop to have the steel insert properly surfaced. They were neither true nor did they have the proper surface to bed the clutch. Found out the hard way.
Second, they were not balanced from the factory. In very small print they advise that the flywheel is CNC machined and should be close to being balanced.
In my car the Fidanze caused a slight vibration from being out of balance and until I had the insert properly surfaced, the clutch disc made noise and chattered. Ultimately went another direction - light weight billet steel.
First, new out of the box, it needs to go to a shop to have the steel insert properly surfaced. They were neither true nor did they have the proper surface to bed the clutch. Found out the hard way.
Second, they were not balanced from the factory. In very small print they advise that the flywheel is CNC machined and should be close to being balanced.
In my car the Fidanze caused a slight vibration from being out of balance and until I had the insert properly surfaced, the clutch disc made noise and chattered. Ultimately went another direction - light weight billet steel.
