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new clutch installed...1st gear problem ?

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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 09:17 AM
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Default new clutch installed...1st gear problem ?

Had new McLeod RST clutch installed. Put 350 mules on it so far.

The clutch works perfect.......however, starting out in first gear it shudders slightly and I smell clutch. If first gear was like reverse ( it is butter smooth in reverse) I would be happy.

I have been told to wait until break in period is over and it will improve.......I have been told this is not unusual.

So the questions are......does a new clutch normally shudder slightly when starting from a dead stop in 1st gear ........will this slight shudder and smell eventually go away after break in period......what causes this.

Again, other than what I've mentioned, the clutch works flawlessly.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thax.


777
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 10:34 AM
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I'm assuming that you have been taking it easy for the 350 miles so far on your new clutch?
I'm thinking most new clutches specify a break in of 500 miles in Stop & Go traffic?

No hard, higher rpm launches in that break in period.(PERIOD)
However, smelling of clutch disc, & being difficult to get into first gear doesn't sound normal to me.

If you went with an adjustable clutch m/c, you may want to start your problem search there?
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 10:40 AM
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are you sure it is 100% bled
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by basicstrategy777
Had new McLeod RST clutch installed. Put 350 mules on it so far.

The clutch works perfect.......however, starting out in first gear it shudders slightly and I smell clutch. If first gear was like reverse ( it is butter smooth in reverse) I would be happy.

I have been told to wait until break in period is over and it will improve.......I have been told this is not unusual.

So the questions are......does a new clutch normally shudder slightly when starting from a dead stop in 1st gear ........will this slight shudder and smell eventually go away after break in period......what causes this.

Again, other than what I've mentioned, the clutch works flawlessly.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thax.


777


Same exact problem! It might be the break-in......As I release the clutch and give some gas the car does like a double shudder before moving. I'm not sure if this is because the clutch doesn't like to be slipped or it is grabbing but I was in stop and go for an hour and a half on my way home from the install yesterday and it was non-stop so I'm assuming normal. By the time I got home and pulled into my garage, the house smelled like a fire......let's keep each other posted.
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 02:17 PM
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Originally Posted by bumble-z
I'm assuming that you have been taking it easy for the 350 miles so far on your new clutch?
I'm thinking most new clutches specify a break in of 500 miles in Stop & Go traffic?

No hard, higher rpm launches in that break in period.(PERIOD)
However, smelling of clutch disc, & being difficult to get into first gear doesn't sound normal to me.

If you went with an adjustable clutch m/c, you may want to start your problem search there?

I have no difficulty getting into 1st gear. The problem is as I have stated in the original post.

In addition to the Mcloud RST clutch and flywheel, I installed: a Tick master cylinder........Remote Bleeder.... Slave cylinder w/ throw out bearing.... Pilot Bearing........Modul 600 racing fluid....and AMSOIL ATF
in the tranny.



The McLeod rep said pretty much what you said RE: break in period.
He also said the clutch should go thru a minimum of 2500 cycles. ( pedal down & up ) ; Also, high speed won't bother it.

DSOM Z06, hate to say it but glad to hear you have the same problem, as this may indicate it is normal what we are going thru. It would be nice if someone that has alot of experience in this area would chime in. With all that was replaced I would think it should be perfect.

777
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 07:21 AM
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DSOM Z06................It appears that no one on the corvette technical section knows anything about clutches. I'll let you know if I learn something from some other sourcees.

777
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 08:48 PM
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Originally Posted by basicstrategy777
DSOM Z06................It appears that no one on the corvette technical section knows anything about clutches. I'll let you know if I learn something from some other sourcees.

777
Thanks! I will do the same.
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by basicstrategy777
DSOM Z06................It appears that no one on the corvette technical section knows anything about clutches. I'll let you know if I learn something from some other sourcees.

777
Yah, Thats it We are in great company in these forums. So frikin much talent all around us. Did YOU expect a fix to your mabey non issue?

Did you do the install? If not what does your shop say?
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Jnape
Yah, Thats it We are in great company in these forums. So frikin much talent all around us. Did YOU expect a fix to your mabey non issue?

Did you do the install? If not what does your shop say?
My shop said to wait a while and it will probably go away.

I was looking for clutch mechanics here to corroborate what the shop said, or not. People that have experience in this area should know what is going on and why. I would like to know this information. If there is a problem I want it corrected.

777
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 09:45 PM
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Once your past the break in period and this is still happening THEN you have a issue. Let it completely break in.
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Old Aug 15, 2011 | 03:00 PM
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Your issue is a non-issue. A little clutch chatter is normal at first... Break it in properly per the manufacturers recommendation...
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Old Jan 3, 2012 | 11:20 AM
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any updates?
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