Breaking in a Clutch???

SCOTTLT79 · 02-12-2003, 02:30 PM

I had a new Ford Motorsport HD Clutch put in my car a few weeks ago. I was told that I might get a little rattle for a while but it should go away within 500 miles. It's been a little over 300 and it seems to be going away but my reverse is still very shaky and it doesn't make me feel too good. I can't ease into reverse or my car rattles like it is going to fall apart.

The guy at the shop told me not to drag out the clutch when I'm driving. That is a lot easier to do going forward than reverse. If I don't ease into the clutch in reverse, the tires will spin and the car will take off. I can't have my car flying in reverse.

Is there anything I should be doing?

Please help.

Scott

SCOTTLT79 · 02-13-2003, 04:24 PM

I just wanted to bring this back to the top in hopes that it would catch someone's eye who can help me out here. I'm sure a lot of you out there have had new clutches.

mike72678 · 02-13-2003, 05:57 PM

you might want to invest in an adjustable clutch quadrant kit and/or firewall adjuster , $54 at www.neweraperformanceparts.com

302 LX Eric · 02-13-2003, 06:11 PM

Scott:

Just an FYI - I installed a new Ford King Cobra clutch kit and it never did what you're describing. It's been very smooth since day one.

E

lx5091 · 02-13-2003, 06:57 PM

same here, smooth as day one. did they tell you that so that you burn through the warranty period and you can't bring it back? Sounds fishy, i don't know just trying to throw something out there.

good luck

Jthompson · 02-13-2003, 07:25 PM

There basically is no break in period. I have asked the is question before. You should have no chattering noises, I havn't, and I am on my second one.

I would also invest in an adjustable quadrant setup before you cry foul.

I did have some vibration on times going into reverse on mine, but nothing super major.

Sounds kinda fishy to me.

02-13-2003, 08:14 PM

Did you get your flywheel resurfaced when you did the clutch install? I see you have a '95 so you probably have some miles on that flywheel. That could cause the problem you are experiencing.

SCOTTLT79 · 02-14-2003, 09:24 AM

They did resurface the flywheel with the new clutch. They actually gave me something from ford that mentioned the break in period. It started making sense because it is doing it much less when I take off in first but I still get a lot of chattering in reverse. I might give them a call and see what the deal is.

horsesnake95 · 02-15-2003, 04:13 AM

I've changed several clutches in varioius years of mustangs, and currently own a 95 GTS. I don't know what it is about the 94/95 but they always seem to do what you are describing. Mine did the same thing and it eventually went away in the forward gears, but reverse has always chattered. If you find a way to cure that I'm very interested and so are my other buddies with 94/95 stangs. I've even gone so far as to have a few transmission shops look at it and they're baffled as well. Good luck with it though.

87gt17815 · 02-16-2003, 04:29 PM

It doesnt make sense that it does it worse in reverse, Everything in contact with the clutch spins the same as in first gear. the only thing different is in the trans. Also i have a custom made centerforce clutch in my car and their deffinately is a break in period. The marketing manager at centerforce told me 500 miles, on any of their clutches whether its a stock replacement, or performance. He also said that depending on the power of the car it is possible you may get lucky and have no problems, but wouldnt you rather play it safe instead of replacing another clutch?

02-12-2003, 02:30 PM	#1
SCOTTLT79 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Raynham, Ma, USA Posts: 189	Breaking in a Clutch??? I had a new Ford Motorsport HD Clutch put in my car a few weeks ago. I was told that I might get a little rattle for a while but it should go away within 500 miles. It's been a little over 300 and it seems to be going away but my reverse is still very shaky and it doesn't make me feel too good. I can't ease into reverse or my car rattles like it is going to fall apart. The guy at the shop told me not to drag out the clutch when I'm driving. That is a lot easier to do going forward than reverse. If I don't ease into the clutch in reverse, the tires will spin and the car will take off. I can't have my car flying in reverse. Is there anything I should be doing? Please help. Scott __________________ 95 Red Mustang GT Pro 5.0, MAC fenderwall cold air induction kit, BBK Off-Road H-pipe with Magnaflow cat-back system Mostly stock(looking to modify) Rice Haters Club Member #63

02-13-2003, 04:24 PM	#2
SCOTTLT79 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Raynham, Ma, USA Posts: 189	I just wanted to bring this back to the top in hopes that it would catch someone's eye who can help me out here. I'm sure a lot of you out there have had new clutches. __________________ 95 Red Mustang GT Pro 5.0, MAC fenderwall cold air induction kit, BBK Off-Road H-pipe with Magnaflow cat-back system Mostly stock(looking to modify) Rice Haters Club Member #63

02-13-2003, 06:11 PM	#4
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	Scott: Just an FYI - I installed a new Ford King Cobra clutch kit and it never did what you're describing. It's been very smooth since day one. E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

02-13-2003, 06:57 PM	#5
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	same here, smooth as day one. did they tell you that so that you burn through the warranty period and you can't bring it back? Sounds fishy, i don't know just trying to throw something out there. good luck __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

02-13-2003, 07:25 PM	#6
Jthompson Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Corona, Ca. Posts: 80	There basically is no break in period. I have asked the is question before. You should have no chattering noises, I havn't, and I am on my second one. I would also invest in an adjustable quadrant setup before you cry foul. I did have some vibration on times going into reverse on mine, but nothing super major. Sounds kinda fishy to me. __________________ Jeremy 1986 Mustang GT Convertible 1972 2 door 302 Maverick 1994 POS head gasket clubbed broke down T-bird with $6000 left to pay off

02-13-2003, 05:57 PM	#3
mike72678 MW Link Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: rochester , ny Posts: 79	you might want to invest in an adjustable clutch quadrant kit and/or firewall adjuster , $54 at www.neweraperformanceparts.com

02-13-2003, 08:14 PM	#7
Simi Stang Guest Posts: n/a	flywheel? Did you get your flywheel resurfaced when you did the clutch install? I see you have a '95 so you probably have some miles on that flywheel. That could cause the problem you are experiencing.

02-14-2003, 09:24 AM	#8
SCOTTLT79 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Raynham, Ma, USA Posts: 189	They did resurface the flywheel with the new clutch. They actually gave me something from ford that mentioned the break in period. It started making sense because it is doing it much less when I take off in first but I still get a lot of chattering in reverse. I might give them a call and see what the deal is. __________________ 95 Red Mustang GT Pro 5.0, MAC fenderwall cold air induction kit, BBK Off-Road H-pipe with Magnaflow cat-back system Mostly stock(looking to modify) Rice Haters Club Member #63

02-15-2003, 04:13 AM	#9
horsesnake95 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: illinois Posts: 26	I've changed several clutches in varioius years of mustangs, and currently own a 95 GTS. I don't know what it is about the 94/95 but they always seem to do what you are describing. Mine did the same thing and it eventually went away in the forward gears, but reverse has always chattered. If you find a way to cure that I'm very interested and so are my other buddies with 94/95 stangs. I've even gone so far as to have a few transmission shops look at it and they're baffled as well. Good luck with it though.

02-16-2003, 04:29 PM	#10
87gt17815 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bloomsburg,PA Posts: 34	It doesnt make sense that it does it worse in reverse, Everything in contact with the clutch spins the same as in first gear. the only thing different is in the trans. Also i have a custom made centerforce clutch in my car and their deffinately is a break in period. The marketing manager at centerforce told me 500 miles, on any of their clutches whether its a stock replacement, or performance. He also said that depending on the power of the car it is possible you may get lucky and have no problems, but wouldnt you rather play it safe instead of replacing another clutch?

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