Clutch failure

[UMB FR-S]

My clutch decided to fail on me on Friday while at the track. It was my first day at the track this year and it was the first session of the day. I was taking it easy just getting back into the groove and it happened virtually the same way as some others have described. Clutched in to downshift and the pedal went straight to the floor. Lifted my foot and the pedal stayed stuck. I pried the pedal up from the floor and it stayed out and was very hard to press and only had about a half inch to an inch of movement before rock hard. Shut the car off and pulled into the grass. After I tried to restart the car to limp off the track and the car will not turn over. Sounds like the electric motor is trying to turn the flywheel but it is seized and so all you get is a screeching. Brought it to the dealer and so far they have been trying to deny any warranty work. I'll keep this thread updated with updates/pictures as they become available.

[JDKane527]

Originally Posted by UMB FR-S

Brought it to the dealer and so far they have been trying to deny any warranty work.

I brought my car to the dealership earlier this year when the engine popped. They noticed the aftermarket clutch and asked me why I didn't bring it in when my oem throw out bearing failed. This is why. Although they replaced my short block.

[yomny]

Originally Posted by UMB FR-S

My clutch decided to fail on me on Friday while at the track. It was my first day at the track this year and it was the first session of the day. I was taking it easy just getting back into the groove and it happened virtually the same way as some others have described. Clutched in to downshift and the pedal went straight to the floor. Lifted my foot and the pedal stayed stuck. I pried the pedal up from the floor and it stayed out and was very hard to press and only had about a half inch to an inch of movement before rock hard. Shut the car off and pulled into the grass. After I tried to restart the car to limp off the track and the car will not turn over. Sounds like the electric motor is trying to turn the flywheel but it is seized and so all you get is a screeching. Brought it to the dealer and so far they have been trying to deny any warranty work. I'll keep this thread updated with updates/pictures as they become available.

Do keep us posted, I think its ridiculous that damn manufacturers or dealers keep trying to deny warranty. They sell you a "sports/performance" car and they expect you to drive it like you would a damn prius. Not sure if your car is heavily modded or not but im assuming its not.

[humfrz]

Well, that's a bummer .....

How many miles on your car .. ??

About how many track sessions ..... ??

Any power mods .... ??

Just curious ....


humfrz

[UMB FR-S]

Slightly modded with a few track days. Been to 4 track days 3 track nights (2 hour sessions) and 20 min the morning on Friday. 2 full autocross seasons and 2 events this season ( around 20 total)

Car has 14000 miles (22000 kms) I know how to drive a manual all my cars have been manual and I've been driving my own cars for 10 years. My Nissan frontier is a 6 speed manual just over 100000 kms on it I've had it for 80k and never an issue. Many people in my area have more track time or are boosted with no issues yet with more miles on the car.

As for mods I have slight mods. Rims, tires, full exhaust, intake, oft, short shifter, springs, camber plates, adjustable LCA. Nothing that should cause my clutch to fail as it did.

[UMB FR-S]

Also for those who don't know scion runs a contingency program in Canada to encourage track use. They sponsor all kinds of events like autocross. Can't quite say your car shouldn't be tracked when they encourage you to.

[UMB FR-S]

Ok so the car is now apart and I'm waiting to hear if it will be covered.

as i suspected things look quite a bit like what others have posted

here are some pics of the damage









other then the images the bell housing has been scuffed up pretty good, the flywheel is in good shape with no discoloring, and a piece of the clutch got lodged in the starter.

I should find out tomorrow if it will be covered or if ill need to fight some more before i can get it all fixed up.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by UMB FR-S

Ok so the car is now apart and I'm waiting to hear if it will be covered.

as i suspected things look quite a bit like what others have posted

here are some pics of the damage .............


other then the images the bell housing has been scuffed up pretty good, the flywheel is in good shape with no discoloring, and a piece of the clutch got lodged in the starter.

I should find out tomorrow if it will be covered or if ill need to fight some more before i can get it all fixed up.

Now THAT is what I would call a "blown clutch" ......

Yep, something came lose in there fer sure.......

I would think a clutch, under the conditions you mentioned, should not blow up ..... maybe get burned up ...... but not blown up.

You just tell that to the dealer ...... and that ol humfrz, from the forum, said so ......



humfrz

[wbradley]

WTF, the friction plate (if that's what its called) is disintegrated? No way that's normal. It doesn't look burnt up, but fragmented.

[Koa]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Now THAT is what I would call a "blown clutch" ......

Yep, something came lose in there fer sure.......

I would think a clutch, under the conditions you mentioned, should not blow up ..... maybe get burned up ...... but not blown up.

You just tell that to the dealer ...... and that ol humfrz, from the forum, said so ......



humfrz

yea and if they argue more, tell 'em that yung koa will beat them up if they resist, and if THAT doesn't scare them, we'll unleash our secret weapon:
@Tcoat

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by wbradley

WTF, the friction plate (if that's what its called) is disintegrated? No way that's normal. It doesn't look burnt up, but fragmented.

Buddy had one go just like that on his Evo a few years back. We reconstructed it like a crashed plane and determined one of the rivets had popped and ripped the whole thing apart.

Originally Posted by Koa

yea and if they argue more, tell 'em that yung koa will beat them up if they resist, and if THAT doesn't scare them, we'll unleash our secret weapon:
@Tcoat

[Teseo]

And people still think our cars doesnt have torque
Please keep us updated if dealer denied warranty

[JS + BRZ]

Sorry to hear.

I've recently noticed something a little weird on my clutch.

When I clutch in all the way down, the bottom 10% feels very rough and makes weird noise.

Other than that, the car runs strong and fine.

Should I take it to the dealer? Anyone having the same issue?

[UMB FR-S]

Originally Posted by JS + BRZ

Sorry to hear.

I've recently noticed something a little weird on my clutch.

When I clutch in all the way down, the bottom 10% feels very rough and makes weird noise.

Other than that, the car runs strong and fine.

Should I take it to the dealer? Anyone having the same issue?

My car was running perfectly up until it was broke haha there was no sign that things were no as they should be