[PYUGALA]

I have done a lot of reading on this topic but none answer my question.

I have just installed Spec Stage 2 clutch and UUC flywheel. I have found that the clutch engaged at a higher point but when I fully pressed the pedal I could not shift any gears. I had to shift gears when I pressed the pedal half way.

Is there a way where I can adjust the engagement point so that when I fully press the pedal I can shift the gears? Is this normal?

Cheers

[Capsaisin]

Well it sounds to me that when you press the clutch pedal all the way, you are pushing the centre of the clutch pressure plate back onto the centre of the clutch plate. Then you would not be able to select gear as you are pushing the clutch back against the flywheel. Do you get a metal grating noise when you push the pedal fully down? Guess your clutch release bearing loves this!!

So there is an adjustment mismatch, but the Mini clutch has no adjustment!
I am not familiar with UUC parts but can only assume you have the correct UUC clutch plate. If the clutch plate body were too thick you might get this effect.
Did you contact UUC for any advice?

Actually, can you fit a Spec clutch plate with a UUC flywheel? Do you not have to use the UUC clutch plate? I imagine they would be matched pairs becuse the combined thickness is quite important, as you may have found out.?????????

[PYUGALA]

Thanks for the quick reply. I have just emailed Webbmotorsport whom I bought from. However, I think they might be closed for the weekend.

When I fully press the clutch down I hear the same noise as when the clutch were not engage (rattle). In neutral, if i press the clutch fully the car seem to move forward a little too.

[Capsaisin]

What happens if you press down the clutch half way, select 1st gear and then continue to press down the clutch pedal to the bottom? Does the car move or stall? Make a godawful noise?

[PYUGALA]

From what I remember from the driving today. In neutral, when I pressed the clutch fully the car move farward a little and sound as if the engine was going to stall. No grinding noise, but there was rattle (like the rattle noise when the clutch were not engage).

[Capsaisin]

Well I don't see how the car can move if it's not in gear, but what happens if the car IS in gear, haven't you tried that yet?

If the car tries to stall when you push down the clutch pedal in neutral, it is because you are loading the engine. So again it suggests you are pushing the centre of the pressure plate in too far and it is all binding together and pushing the clutch back onto the flywheel. The rattle could be the clutch release bearing as it is trying to spin under all the load you are applying down the clutch pedal. Alternatively the geometry is so far out, the edge of the release fork is binding against the edge of the pressure plate as it spins.

Personally I think your clutch assembly is thicker than the standard MCS, so it is almost or in fact IS touching the release bearing even when the clutch pedal is released. So the clutch release point is very high up. As you push the pedal down further, you are actually distorting the centre of the pressure plate and pushing it in onto the centre of the clutch plate. This then pushes the clutch plate back onto the flywheel.

I believe the Spec clutch is for use with the standard MCS flywheel so it will be designed to maintain the standard MCS clutch distance.
I thought the UUC flywheel was designed to be used with a UUC matching clutch and standard MCS pressure plate to maintain the standard MCS clutch distance, so who says you can mix the two? The Spec clutch plate may be too thick for use with the UUC flywheel.

You will have to ask Spec or UUC if their parts can be mixed like this. I have no idea, I am just trying to understand why you are having this problem.

[PYUGALA]

Ok, today I drove the car. When the car was colder in the morning, I could press the clutch fully and change gears with out any hesitation. However, as soon as the tranny warmed up the gear could not be engaged if clutch was pressed fully.

I tried put the car in 1st and then pressed the clutch fully, the car moved forward slowly. I tried it in neutral it did not move but it made very similar rattle noise as if I did not press the clutch.

When I drove the car, during acceleration there was high pitching noise (chi,chi,chi,chi,chi,chi...) in all gears.

I still have not received the reply from Randy, hopefully he will reply me on Monday.

[Capsaisin]

Does sound like you are over compressing the clutch pressure plate with the clutch pedal fully down when the car is warmed up. Hence the car moves forward for reasons I suggested earlier.
The clutch clearance tolerance must be pretty tight somewhere if heat expansion is causing this effect. I imagine the high pitched whine could be your clutch release bearing still being in contact with the clutch pressure plate?
To be honest if it was me, I think I would be looking at stripping the clutch down again to check I assembled it all correctly.
But please check with UUC that it is OK to use the Spec clutch with their flywheel!!!
I just hope you get some further advice from Randy Webb on what to do next.

[PYUGALA]

Cheers mate. I will keep you update.

[PYUGALA]

Ok, I have talked to Randy. The problem found was the wrong installation of the clutch. The mechanic actually installed the clutch backward. Randy told me that it is very easy to get confuse because the clutch is very similar on both side.



After the correct installation, I found the rattle to be much less. The clutch engagement point is not as high as previously. There are no more throw out bearing noises when accelerate.

[Capsaisin]

Glad you got it sorted