FYI: XTR Clutch (eBay US) = Bad

**dsp26** · 03-03-2009 05:51 PM

OK a lot of people have asked about these and I and some others have highly recommended them.

it is now my turn to turn around and give it the thumbs down.

This is what happened to mine with almost 2yrs of normal use:

I DO NOT Thrash the clutch. My engine gets it instead

I DO:
- (Did) flatshift at redline twice on 2 runs at wsid about 6months ago.
- engine brake alot
- rev match alot on sensible up and down shifts. so much so that my shifting is smoother than an auto/tiptronic/cvt transmission most times.
- have a lightweight flywheel as well as solid engine mounts also, and suffer A LOT of shudder when i don´t rev enough from idle.

After inspecting the clutch carefully it seems the containment just couldn´t hold heavy duty dual springs as 2 other spring holdings are cracked + bent which cannot really be seen.

My theory is that i probably didn´t bed it in properly to give it the proper heat tempering and constant shuddering eventually killed it. This would have been a better clutch with standard springs.

For those that do not understand the purpose of these springs, it is what gives you your clutch friction point play. On drag spec clutches like these with no springs they simply grab and stall if not revved high as theres no real in between friction point.

**dsp26** · 03-03-2009 05:56 PM

Also the spring thats missing is compressed and seized... that could´ve failed first which caused banging in its containment during shift eventually braking a piece off as it was not captive

**bennjamin** · 03-03-2009 06:38 PM

thought so Ron. Bad luck there boss....i guess it pays to stick to what works for everyone....exedy.

**dsp26** · 03-03-2009 08:57 PM

^yep got an oem exedy fitted... ie never felt a clutch so light... mite actually stick with manual lol.

oem exedyś can take a beating or will last the life of the car if i baby it yeah? i have this mentality that clutches wear like brake pads and just wanted something to last forever i guess... considering how pain in the arse a clutch/fly is to install without a hoist...

**bennjamin** · 03-03-2009 09:06 PM

think of it this way....clutches are changed every 80-100,000ks usually. Probably half of that nowdays , considering the younger more aggressive audience driving style.
Ive got a exeedy organic which apparently has superior wear rate compared to a "oem" style clutch plate.

But Ron , forever is basically past the time you sell the car or crash it

No one keeps a car for more than say 5-10 years or 100,000ks.

**nigs** · 03-03-2009 10:10 PM

My clutch shudders like a mofo too. It's taken alot of abuse. Side stepping clutch @ 4,000rpm + and many many clutch kicks.
It was taken out last week for inspection and showed normal wear.

*shrug* Maybe just a bad clutch.

**vinnY** · 03-03-2009 10:58 PM

doh bad go ron
how'd you know the clutch had busted?

pulling off the box and looking at the clutch isn't really a 'routine check' hehe

**dsp26** · 04-03-2009 06:28 AM

Originally Posted by vinnY

doh bad go ron
how'd you know the clutch had busted?

pulling off the box and looking at the clutch isn't really a 'routine check' hehe

lol couldn´t get into gear at peak M5 traffic on the right lane.... lucky there was a slight decline... i shook my arse in my seat like crazy just to give it some momentum for me to roll into the shoulder lane... had it towed to work called benny for some troubleshooting and possibilities, came back for it on the weekend to bleed the slave and inspect all the cylinders and pedal and nada... then had it towed to my mech monday morning. wasn´t in the mood to take annual leave and do the clutch myself and shop around for one....

but yes now that i think about i have ´ḱicked´ my clutch a few times.... that could definitely do this!!

**Bludger** · 05-03-2009 12:22 AM

I've never changed a clutch, do'able at home yes?

**vinnY** · 05-03-2009 01:39 AM

if you got the tools then it's pretty straight forward
but considering your troubles with the shock fork bludger i'd just pay someone to do it

**Bludger** · 05-03-2009 01:53 AM

Originally Posted by vinnY

if you got the tools then it's pretty straight forward
but considering your troubles with the shock fork bludger i'd just pay someone to do it

FYI. previous coilover change only took me 3.5 hours for all 4 corners. its easy fitting something shorter.

reason why the crx shock change last week took so long was cos the fricken shock was super long.

anyways, I know you're just giving it to me.

**vinnY** · 05-03-2009 01:58 AM

it's generally not hard if you have a service manual or online guide just lots of time consuming steps and theres bound to be problems when you're remounting the gearbox even if you have two people doing it
would probably only take an afternoon with your mates to do it,