Yeah that's what I was referring to as my fluids seeming fine.

Ill try bleeding it and see if that helps until I get some motivation to replace the master/slave. I ordered an ACT kit earlier so ill just plan on doing it all at once instead of bleeding tonight, replacing parts, bleeding, removing trans for clutch swap, reinstalling, bleeding....

 

Sell ACT kit get FM stage 1 kit. Trust me.

 

The miata is back at the shop, FM sent a new clutch will install if needed. Waiting to see if there was an installation error on their part or a manufacturing defect in the clutch. Will keep this updated.

 

Update: FM sent a new clutch, I will get the refund when I ship the old one back. The new clutch's pedal is twice as heavy as the old one and grips so much better. Plus without adjusting from where I had the old set, this was engaging at the top of the pedal travel. GREAT. I just adjusted it back down to normal levels and now it feels great, nice and progressive with good bite and easy pedal. The old clutch I think had a bad or out of spec pressure plate. It was softer to push than the oem clutch. Will keep everyone posted on the final chapter.

 

I would agree. My FM2 clutch is probably twice as heavy as a stock MSM piece.

Glad it's working better for you.

 

OK,
The problem returned. Any other suggestions?

 

I am quite stumped by this problem. 3 clutches and new hydraulics twice and new lines. Yet the problem comes back. If it were install problems id expect it to show immediately. Yet it comes back after 500 miles lr so. I think it's pressure plate problems. That's what we changed the 3rd time along with all new bearings. The problem is back. Please does anyone have any idea what is going on?

 

The clutch is fully broken in at 500. So I'm going to go ahead and say it has something to do with that. Something becomes more pronounced when the clutch is broken in. Did it gradually come back? Or just one day it was back. Clutch pedal still feel the same? The clutch fork still moving properly when you press the clutch (ya I know it was before, check again)? Fluid level still remaining full?

There isn't much to a clutch and how it works. Did the same place install it everytime? Did you verify they put the clutch disc in correctly (visually verify)? If the same place installed it, there is a chance they did it wrong every time.

 

Is the engine to trans shim in place?

 

Yes, this was checked when it was looked over at the Inifinity Dealer a few days ago.

 

I saw a PP fail once because of a giant gorilla mechanic trying to force the engine and trans back together instead of letting it go together nice and smooth like you're supposed to. Im not sure exactly how this caused it to fail though. Just one more experience that has led me to never let anyone touch my car.

 

That part worries me. Do you adjust the clutch on first install, THEN adjust it again after the 500 miles period? You can't just install a new clutch and expect that it will work fine without adjusting the master/pedal.

Honestly, this sounds like an installation error.

 

I've done 2 clutch jobs, and I've never adjusted the pedal. I AM A CLUTCH MAGICIAN!!!

 

Tracks; I missed typed that. All three times the clutch was adjusted just after the install per the directions. The last time FM was called and they spoke to the shop going the install personally. Different techs installed the clutch. They are all competent certified mechanics.

 

Just curious, did Flyin' Miata find any issues with the parts that were returned to to them after you had clutch #2 and #3 installed?

 

The first clutch was shipped back and inspected by the factory. They said it was within specs.

 

You should just replace the hydraulics and the clutch every 500 miles, instead of trying to find the real problem.

 

It seems that at this point the only common denominators are FM and your mechanics. FM has a stellar track record with many people installing their clutches in their garage and then proceeding to beat the hell out of them for thousands of miles with no issues. My money is on installer error or some, yet undetermined, other common error.

 

Also for the record "certified mechanics" doesn't mean anything. I had all the ASE certs before I even did my first clutch. In fact at the Audi dealer I worked at some of the "Master techs" with the most experience, did the dumbest things because "they just knew" how to do it. They thought they could do no wrong. Funny they also had the most cars come back with problems.

If you know them personally that is a different story, but then they would probably be doing it in your drive way for some extra cash.

 

You must have an air leak in your hydraulics then. Only thing i can think of that would have this behavior.