Clutch disc snapped - new CM clutch experience

[Absolut1l]

Yep. Bought my MS6 two weeks ago Wednesday. Drove it around for a while (less than one day)... Started getting REALLY hard to shift suddenly. Drove it back to dealership and dropped it off. Told them to fix it... Turns out, the disc was literally cracked through on both sides. I can't imagine that my moderate hard driving and a few launches would do that... It was the stock clutch. I'm guessing someone retarded drove the car before me cause the wheels are really gashed - probably from curb parking, and there are key marks by the door handle even though the car is completely keyless. and other "signs" as well. But anywho... The dealership replaced my clutch on "goodwill" - $1600! I'd say I found myself a legit dealership eh? Good thing it showed it's face within 24 hours rather than a month later. They replaced the clutch with a Clutch Master FX100. I've had a rough time finding any info about this clutch and the MS6 other than the original bell housing issues. Apparently CM has fixed that issue now. I drove my car home tonight... My first impressions:

The pedal is STIFF. Like REALLY stiff... There is no obvious place that it grabs either. It's just stiff as shit all the way down and up again. It's odd though, cause it's somehow easier to grab gears than the stock clutch even though I can't feel the "spot" as well. I didn't do any launches or anything as I'm waiting to break the clutch in at least 500 miles. But I did kinda launch a few times unintentionally as this clutch grabs like a motherfucker. I can feel more torque going straight to the pavement. Also, in upper gears, I noticed more grab as well. So far, I'd say this feels like a pretty damn awesome clutch. It will take some serious getting used to though with the way it grabs so hard and the extreme stiff pedal. I have a feeling it will break in VERY nice in a few grand. Stay tuned and I'll updated at 500 and 1k miles.

[jm211]

Did the fx100 come with a single mass flywheel or did they actually resurface the duel?
Edit: neither.

Lastly, do you say its hard to find the grab point because it seems to keep moving or just the fact that the clutch is stiff?
If it moves on you, you may have air in clutch line.

Thanks for review and you found a good dealer!


Edit: I'm surprised that they didn't use something more like a luck clutch. (Something more OEM)

[Absolut1l]

Well it's been several months and a few thousand miles. -Sorry to anyone who might be interested in my 500-1k review. Here's my take on the Clutch Masters FX100 at 3k miles break in:

It's awesome. Seriously guys, If you're looking to replace your clutch I'd say the FX100 is a very solid option right now. I know a lot of people were avoiding the CM clutches for the MS6 as there had been issues with the bell housing and such. But I haven't had a single problem so far.

The clutch pedal is still rather resistant to force, but it's eased up at least 50% from new I'd say. Also, there is a very comfortable engage point now that it's broken in. It's at least twice as long as the stock clutch was. I can grab a gear and let off smooth as butter. Even when I'm driving it hard, I can shift this baby incredibly smooth. There is no slip and I can feel the torque at the engage point so beautifully.

The break in was a little bit rough, but I'd say most of you would not have a problem. I have a bit of a steep learning curve when it comes to different clutch operation. I burned it pretty hard a few times on some steep hills when it was only a few hundred miles in. Also seemed to get that burning clutch smell quite frequently during the first 500-1k miles. I've never actually driven on a brand-new clutch so I'm not sure what's typical. but I feel like it was designed to "burn" in. Because now, the damn the feels like it was designed for this car.

So far I am extremely happy with the FX100 from CM. It's smooth for daily driving and also seems to perform well under load.

I even had a close call on the highway. Dumped the clutch when I had to slam on the breaks and then downshift and then slam on the gas in order to evade a dump truck with a dump trailer that fishtailed going around the corner in the oncoming lane. -Yeah, I kind of almost died there... But thanks to this wonderful AWD beast I managed to somehow escape death. I dunno how relevant that really is to this review, but I can say the clutch is still operating smooth as butter after some panicky punishment.

Anyways, hope this helps any of you who are considering a clutch replacement.

[Absolut1l]

Originally Posted by jm211 Did the fx100 come with a single mass flywheel or did they actually resurface the duel? Edit: neither. Lastly, do you say its hard to find the grab point because it seems to keep moving or just the fact that the clutch is stiff? If it moves on you, you may have air in clutch line. Thanks for review and you found a good dealer! Edit: I'm surprised that they didn't use something more like a luck clutch. (Something more OEM)

I am unsure what flywheel they used, but I know they completely replaced the existed one with a "lightweight" one. On that note, It does make this clanky/rattle medal-on-medal sound when I first start the engine from cold. Lasts about 0.5 seconds and is gone. I was told this was the lightweight flywheel. Doesn't sound pretty to be honest.. But if i turn the engine off after it's been running for 5 min or more, and turn it back on in the next 5 min, the sound is not there at all on startup and sounds amazing. Kinda wish that noise wasn't there. Also, I can definitely hear the flywheel "chatter" when I'm driving - usually when I let off the gas a bit and the engine slows.

As far as the clutch pedal goes, it was stiff all the way up and down, but now it's stiff only near the floor, then the grab area, then after that the pedal is pretty much free to swing all the way up. I like it, but when I let off too fast sometimes the pedal will kind of fling up the rest of the way which is somewhat annoying but can be avoided if I would pay more attention when I'm shifting.

Great clutch so far! I'm very pleased.

I'm guessing the dealer purchased one of the packages from CM that included the lightweight flywheel. Probably this: Clutchmasters FX100 Clutch Kit Mazda Speed3/Speed6 2005-2010 - Modern Automotive Performance

[kritz]

Cool story bro, donate.