HELP - Car Shifts Hard (Please Read)

[obito.frs]

So I know the immediate answer to a manual car sticking in gear is usually the clutch or something related, but my Stage 2 ACT Clutch is brand new. I'm thinking maybe the clutch fork but I am curious if anyone else has had this issue.

Long story short:

Car shifts hard
When I come to a stop it is hard to pull the shifter out of gear
When I come to a stop and go to neutral it takes multiple tries to get the car back into first
Most of the time it shifts fine 1-6 but sometimes it'll get sticky

I know the clutch was installed properly
The clutch pedal still feels the same and the car shifts fine when it's off
The fluid is good, the lines are good and the master/slave cyls are good

I am extremely frustrated
The car is driveable but not smooth at times
Also for reference it seems like when it's hot outside it gets worse

Any ideas? TIA

[Tcoat]

There is a long history of issues with ACT clutches reported on this forum.

[blsfrs]

Did you replace the OEM clutch fork and pivot?

[WNDSRFR]

Doesn't matter.
It's an ACT.

[Grady]

I did not have that issue but I know my ACT clutch took a couple of thousand miles to break in and feel ok. As stated above I would be worries about flex in a stock fork since you upgraded the clutch. Next I would bleed the clutch.

Originally Posted by obito.frs

I know the clutch was installed properly

I love statements like this. Like anyone gets done and says “I did not install it right”. A human never thinks he makes a mistake. That is our weakness and why you go to the human factor first.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Grady

I did not have that issue but I know my ACT clutch took a couple of thousand miles to break in and feel ok. As stated above I would be worries about flex in a stock fork since you upgraded the clutch. Next I would bleed the clutch.

I have always sort of wondered with all the people that complained about the ACT if they just didn't wait long enough. In theory nothing should need a couple of thousand miles to break in though.

[Ohio Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Grady

I love statements like this. Like anyone gets done and says “I did not install it right”. A human never thinks he makes a mistake. That is our weakness and why you go to the human factor first.

It more than that - people come and say "I change X and now my car is broken. Can it be Y or Z?". The inevitable answer is "you changed X, start from checking X again".

But yeah, ACT clutches are well known to cause issues on the Twins. With so many complaints on the forums for these it's a wonder people still buy them...

[Grady]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have always sort of wondered with all the people that complained about the ACT if they just didn't wait long enough. In theory nothing should need a couple of thousand miles to break in though.

I would not go ACT again. I do have 20k+ no issue miles on it now. But yes the break in period was to long.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have always sort of wondered with all the people that complained about the ACT if they just didn't wait long enough. In theory nothing should need a couple of thousand miles to break in though.

i always wonder if what they're waiting for is the springs to fatigue to a more relaxed state-- something about ACT's tempering process or metalurgy could be odd

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by soundman98

i always wonder if what they're waiting for is the springs to fatigue to a more relaxed state-- something about ACT's tempering process or metalurgy could be odd

Could be. All I know is that over the year on this forum about 8 out of 10 "My clutch sucks what can I do?" threads involve ACT.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Could be. All I know is that over the year on this forum about 8 out of 10 "My clutch sucks what can I do?" threads involve ACT.

all i know is that it's been a really long year. almost felt like 7 years to me.

[obito.frs]

Originally Posted by Grady

I would not go ACT again. I do have 20k+ no issue miles on it now. But yes the break in period was to long.

Well if it comes down to needing to replace the clutch again (or whenever that happens inevitably) what would you recommend? Literally all my friends run ACT (albeit not all in FRS/86s) so I don't see myself much variety.

I'm thinking Comp because I've heard worse about Exedy.

[obito.frs]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I have always sort of wondered with all the people that complained about the ACT if they just didn't wait long enough. In theory nothing should need a couple of thousand miles to break in though.

Well when I say it's "brand new" that is still post-break in. I have put over 2K miles on the clutch, I drive the car quite a bit so it's happened pretty quick. As far as ACT goes, I've heard the stories but never had issues with them before. This isn't my first car, just the first time I've had this issue so quickly. I will check the clutch fork, that seems to be the unanimous possibility

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by obito.frs

Well if it comes down to needing to replace the clutch again (or whenever that happens inevitably) what would you recommend? Literally all my friends run ACT (albeit not all in FRS/86s) so I don't see myself much variety.

I'm thinking Comp because I've heard worse about Exedy.

You didn't ask me, but, I would suggest you just go with an OEM clutch - just don't hammer on it -