Notices
Suspension, Brakes, Drivetrain discuss the wondrous effects of boost and your miata...
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: 949 Racing

Flyin' Miata Happy Meal not Disengaging

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 18, 2013 | 02:25 PM
  #41  
datsun40146's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 34
Total Cats: 0
Default

Ok if it was an air leak, then I dont think replacing the clutch with out opening the hydraulics would fix the issue. Yet it does.
Old Sep 18, 2013 | 03:21 PM
  #42  
thenuge26's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,267
Total Cats: 239
From: Indianapolis
Default

Originally Posted by FRT_Fun
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.
+1, and even better when user "Dunning Kruger Effect" posted in this thread.
Old Sep 18, 2013 | 04:55 PM
  #43  
Seefo's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,961
Total Cats: 48
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

Originally Posted by datsun40146
Ok if it was an air leak, then I dont think replacing the clutch with out opening the hydraulics would fix the issue. Yet it does.
That's not true, pushing the slave cylinder in is very likely to push air back out at some point.

Have you tried bleeding the slave?
Old Sep 18, 2013 | 05:08 PM
  #44  
datsun40146's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 34
Total Cats: 0
Default

The slave has been bled repeatedly. Both traditionally and with a power bleeder.
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 06:37 AM
  #45  
datsun40146's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 34
Total Cats: 0
Default

Any other thoughts? The transmission gets back from being inspected today. I will update with the results.
Old Sep 19, 2013 | 01:45 PM
  #46  
yellowihss's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 736
Total Cats: 8
From: Austin, TX
Default

Im just throwing this out there, but I would check and make sure the clutch fork is riding on the pivot ball correctly.

Old Sep 19, 2013 | 06:23 PM
  #47  
datsun40146's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newb
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 34
Total Cats: 0
Default

The Infinity dealer checked this exact thing since its so common on their cars. It was where it needed to be and was firming mounted.
Old Mar 30, 2015 | 07:04 AM
  #48  
locomonkeyboricua's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 295
Total Cats: -216
From: ATL GA
Default

I have the exact problem with mine. One day it would not go into gear, adjusted rod and it went in barely and got it home checked and bleed master and slave. No leaks. then started slipping after a drive in traffic. Took transmission out thinking I would find a problem and everything looked new. Pilot, throw out bearing felt and looked new, disc was about new with 13k miles on it. Im stumped. Emailed fm to see what they say.
Reply
Leave a poscat -3 Leave a negcat
Old Sep 12, 2020 | 05:38 PM
  #49  
andyNB's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 48
Total Cats: 6
Default

Bumping this thread. The OP"s issues are exactly what I am facing right now. I could have written this exact post because of how exactly the same my problem is.

Has anyone been able to figure out the solution? My slave extends 5/8" but will NOT disengage. I have replaced the entire hydraulic system pretty much (slave/master/flex line) and rebled about 3 bottles of clutch fluid worth. No matter how I adjust the clutch rod or anything else, I cannot get it to disengage.

This problem also started quite suddenly. It was working perfect fine then one day the clutch just stopped disengaging as well over a 1 hour period until it wouldn't disengage at all. I have been emailing FM but they haven't been able to figure out the issue either.

The clutch/sandwich plate/throwout bearing/pilot bearing all have <2,000 miles on them. What the heck is going on??
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 12:00 AM
  #50  
LeoNA's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 850
Total Cats: 107
From: Commiefornia
Default

Pull off the shift fork boot and looked inside of the bell housing. If you have a probe camera that might help.

Last edited by LeoNA; Sep 13, 2020 at 12:41 PM.
Old Sep 13, 2020 | 03:30 AM
  #51  
yossi126's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 901
Total Cats: -13
Default

There is currently a **** show with FM's clutches for a while now. Competition are no help either they want you to send it back for inspection.
What happened to two of my friends in the last couple of months (new clutches) is that the pressure plate does not sit flush with the clutch surface and causing this engagement issue.
Old Sep 22, 2020 | 02:21 PM
  #52  
JD8's Avatar
JD8
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 277
Total Cats: -16
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by yossi126
There is currently a **** show with FM's clutches for a while now. Competition are no help either they want you to send it back for inspection.
What happened to two of my friends in the last couple of months (new clutches) is that the pressure plate does not sit flush with the clutch surface and causing this engagement issue.
I have been helping AndyNB with this issue on his car. After we tried everything that the OP of this thread tried, we gave up and Andy pulled the trans (again). The clutch, pressure plate, and flywheel all look good to the eye. How do we determine if the issue is the clutch surface/pressure plate? There is no visible misalignment.

I also contacted FM and they were not helpful so far. They also take over a week to respond to any email or follow up email.

Is the solution to just buy a new (non-FM) clutch and pressure plate? The fact that Andy's car has 5/8" of movement at the slave (measured by me, can provide video) makes me think the issue is the clutch itself and not another part of the system. For reference, my NA, which has a stage 2 Happy Meal kit, has 1/2" of movement at the slave and disengages without issue.
Old Sep 22, 2020 | 03:04 PM
  #53  
concealer404's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,206
Default

I've had two cars with these clutches that had similar problems. The fact that the adjustment procedure instructions includes "possibly" needing to modify the stopper tells me that these clutches are not for these cars. I've only ever had 3 clutch problems in my entire life that didn't involve wear after many many thousands of miles. Two were FM1s that wouldn't disengage completely, and the other was an ACT disc that was too thick. (Wouldn't disengage completely either)
Old Sep 23, 2020 | 09:58 AM
  #54  
JD8's Avatar
JD8
Junior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 277
Total Cats: -16
From: Maryland
Default

Originally Posted by concealer404
I've had two cars with these clutches that had similar problems. The fact that the adjustment procedure instructions includes "possibly" needing to modify the stopper tells me that these clutches are not for these cars. I've only ever had 3 clutch problems in my entire life that didn't involve wear after many many thousands of miles. Two were FM1s that wouldn't disengage completely, and the other was an ACT disc that was too thick. (Wouldn't disengage completely either)
Well that sucks, but at least we have a likely culprit. I really thought I was losing it for a while there. I guess the next step is some research on the best alternative. I am really surprised that this is the first I am hearing about these FM clutch issues.
Old Sep 23, 2020 | 12:49 PM
  #55  
shuiend's Avatar
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
Default

Originally Posted by JD8
Well that sucks, but at least we have a likely culprit. I really thought I was losing it for a while there. I guess the next step is some research on the best alternative. I am really surprised that this is the first I am hearing about these FM clutch issues.

they have been talked about for years. It seems very hit or miss. I tend to use the SPM street organic in all my cars now. I have been happy with ACT in the past, but they are more expensive then alternatives and hold less torque.
Old Sep 23, 2020 | 01:02 PM
  #56  
irollgen4s's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 140
Total Cats: 18
Default

I just took a FM stage 2 out of my car that i had constant issues with adjustment. Followed all their steps and all the BS and it never gave me a fix. I took it apart yesterday and the brand new throw out bearing had almost dug all the way through the pressure plate fingers. To the point where they are literally barely holding on. All new bearings but the clutch was indeed used when i installed it. Won't be spending money on FM stuff ever again as this is far from the first time their junk has let me down.
Old Sep 23, 2020 | 01:20 PM
  #57  
shuiend's Avatar
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 15,235
Total Cats: 1,700
From: Charleston SC
Default

Originally Posted by irollgen4s
I just took a FM stage 2 out of my car that i had constant issues with adjustment. Followed all their steps and all the BS and it never gave me a fix. I took it apart yesterday and the brand new throw out bearing had almost dug all the way through the pressure plate fingers. To the point where they are literally barely holding on. All new bearings but the clutch was indeed used when i installed it. Won't be spending money on FM stuff ever again as this is far from the first time their junk has let me down.
I have had similar experiences with my FM2 clutch.
Old Sep 23, 2020 | 01:52 PM
  #58  
yossi126's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 901
Total Cats: -13
Default

So far two of my customers are on a latest batch of spm clutches with good results. Haven't tested the torque rating yet though.
Old Sep 23, 2020 | 07:53 PM
  #59  
deezums's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,146
Total Cats: 206
From: Kansas
Default

If you used a bog standard throwout on a FM2 I'm not surprised it wore it's way through. FM2 require a different throwout bearing that has a larger contact face. If you call FM and try to order this specific bearing they'll probably send you a standard one, did to me at least.

If you want more clamp with the same pedal effort then it comes from stretching the work out over a longer time. That's why a FM clutch requires the hydraulics to be perfect, because it uses all it can from the stock gear as far as stroke. Getting mad at it for that and saying it's not designed for the car just shows a solid lack of understanding, IMO. No different than the guy with the feals the other day, wondering why his short bodies won't hit a factory ride height with "no preload."


Old Sep 23, 2020 | 08:15 PM
  #60  
concealer404's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10,917
Total Cats: 2,206
Default

Let me get this straight: Expressing displeasure at the idea that a clutch requires adjustment beyond that which the application in question was designed for.... shows a solid lack of understanding?

It's way different than the FEALs example for many reasons. The first of which being that nobody suggested to that dude that radius his wheelwells like an 80s silhouette racer to make his coilovers work.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:53 AM.