I'm no longer searching, 'cause I've been through this one too many friggin' times, and, the 8-lbs sledge could use a little workout. Here's the skinny. Clutch is FM's old 1.6L 300ft/lbs. Car doesn't put nowhere near that. (ACT Xtreme plate with SS performance disc). I've replaced the hydraulics just a few months ago, but, I still suspect either the master or the slave. Flushed it, but, the car still won't shift into gear. Pedal is good, no play, the rod is out nearly all the way, and, seems like the slave piston moves a good amount. Yet, no cigar. I started losing clutch very gradually, until, right now, there's no way to shift once the car is running. I've got the rebuild kits on the way, and, several spares to work on (One master and several slaves). Rubber line has been replaced with SS, and, fluid is ATE. My mechanic says it's a bad plate, but, it's been replaced by ACT just a few months ago. Besides, he's been wrong about my car before. Anyone has any bright ideas? Or, do you agree that it's the hydraulics?

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Brakes, Oil filters, Air Filters, Suspension, FCM SA & mounts & bumpstops, 400/275, FM 1" FSB, no rear bar, Custom CAI, LAV Speed-O-Sound

you sure the rod is adjusted properly? doesn't sound like it's disengaging.

the ACT will disengage off the floor, like 1" or so, adjust it too far out and it won't at all.

Pull the trans and check the fingers on the clutch. Might have a spring broke or the throw out bearing out of place.

Did you follow the FM clutch adjustment guide? If not, then do that first.

Check if your clutch hydraulic system is leaking anywhere. I had the exact same issue with new master/slave cylinder. It turned out to be a small leak at the clutch line because I didn't tighten it all the way. It was a very small leak but just enough to not hold all the pressure. Clutch pedal felt good etc but would not disengage all the way until I tightened the clutch line fittings.

might as well pull back the slave boot and see if it's full of fluid.

I think the OP said the slave is moving "a good amount". I assume that means you're watching it move while somebody else is pushing the pedal? I believe it needs to move 1-2cm, but somebody else should confirm. That would rule out your hydro probs if you can watch it moving.

Fluid isn't leaking. At least, no puddles, and, no level dropping in the master.
I've played with the adjusting rod both ways. No cigar.
Yep, I've glanced at the rod from down under, and, it seems like it's moving enough to drive the fork.

I wonder why the clutch would misbehave all of the sudden. Hasn't been beaten. Car hasn't even been to the track since the disc and plate got replaced.
No noises coming from the TB.

Wonky...


Btw, thanks for the input, guys.


as far as the leaks, I don't think so. I've flushed the system with Power bleeder, and, dry, the system held 10psi, no problem...

I'm wondering if it's not the master...


The strange part is that the clutch let go very gradually. No "snap", no sudden stop. Just, slowly, went away. :(
"come back, little Sheba!"

(pissed off and unhappy makes for stupid Al)

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Brakes, Oil filters, Air Filters, Suspension, FCM SA & mounts & bumpstops, 400/275, FM 1" FSB, no rear bar, Custom CAI, LAV Speed-O-Sound

Well if the slave is moving enough to drive the fork and the clutch is not working at all every time, you're wasting your time troubleshooting the hydraulics IMO. I would agree with the weirdness of it just going away vs just snapping like a typical broken spring carrier on the disc. Perhaps some fingers on the PP going bad?

On the bright side, at least you had fair warning

Still, check the actual connections. There may no be puddles but the connections will be wet.

Basically, get under the car, check if the connections are dry. If they are wet, dry them up, press the clutch a few times and check again.

Talked to ACT. Gonna rebuild the master & slave before pulling the tranny.

It was the ******* master

Sounds like ACT saved you a lot of time

Yep, hate to throw parts, but the hydraulics are so easy and cheap to do in comparison to dropping the tranny . . . .

Just had an ACT Stage 1 installed. Same issue, clutch would barely disengage, really hard to get into gear. Left the tranny shop Friday evening wondering "WTF"?

On Saturday AM, confirmed the slave was bad by pulling back the boot and finding fluid -- not much fluid, mind you. O'Reilly had a slave in stock. About a 2 hour job altogether (mainly because I'm slow), including adjusting the clutch pedal. Works beautifully now.

Happy!! I guess the point is that it doesn't take much of a leak to make your clutch feel like dog doo.

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90 1.6L Greddy + MSPNP, WI, Cowl Induction, FCM
Build Thread

BTW, bought the clutch from Renown for $275 shipped. Heck of a deal.

Turns out, not quite a master's fault. Lol

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wow. wtf.

Yeah, I've never seen that one before. How the hell does stamped steel crack like that?

yea, wtf exactly happened there? was there like improper install? or fork abuse? haha.

man i have had the worse experience with ACT clutches on my old acura...they are just not trust worthy likethey used to be