Breaking in a new Clutch...
 

Well im getting a new clutch on my 2004 rx8. Now I was wondering what I should do to "break-in" the new clutch?

I was told by a good friend that I should shift slowly and smoothly for 1000mi.

Now I just got the AP Pulley installed and a MS Flywheel...shifting slow isn't what I had in mind...

I wanted to know how I should drive with this new clutch and for how long?

And yes I did do a few searches, and if It has been posted elsewhere, bring on the 'repost's.

I just wouldn't do any 5,000 RPM clutch drops. But I don't do them anyway. I didn't do anything special have I changed mine. 40,000 miles later the 2nd clutch is still working.

just let it surface of the clutch disk "break in" with the surface of the flywheel for a few hundered miles.....don't do any clutch drops from high rpm and drive normal in traffic etc etc.....if alot of highway drivng it won't break in that fast but stop and go with plenty of shifting just a couple hundred

Basically any "flaws" with the flywheel(a small groove if anything) needs to form to the clutch disc material....

yup... I know clutchmaster's recommends a 500 mile city driving break in period where you don't rev the shit outta out. Basically as expo1 said.. keep it below 5.. and shift as smooth as you can for the 500 and you should be alright after that. It's a pain in the ass but in theory you'll have something which should last you longer.....

Great! Thanks for the info. I pickup my car tomorrow on my lunch break. I can't wait to see the difference with the AP Pulley and the MS Flywheel.

^^ this is about your sig....


i have hugged my 8 several times.

I kept mine under 4k for a little over 500, but I'm sure under 5 will be fine

Good. I picked up the car today...New Tranny, New Clutch, and A MS Flywheel...

Now I've got a new question, is my clutch supposed to feel feather light? Or does that merely mean that I need to continue to break it in?


:) Glad to see im not the only one who has....

Is the clutch OEM?

I replaced mine with a BHR recommended set up, which had a more aggressive clutch and flywheel. With this, my pedal was a lot lighter, so if you have a more aggressive clutch, I would say it is probably normal.

You may also want to invest in a clutch pedal reinforcement kit. There are many members, including me, who have had pedal failures and mine resulted in replacing the clutch :( . BHR does supply the reinforcement kit if you are interested.

Yeap the clutch is OEM.

I saw that in BHR's list of products. I just can't afford to spend any money until spring.

J/w, how much is the reinforcement and how hard is it to install?

^lifetime warranty can''t beat that!

My clutch pedal bracket just broke i welded mine though with home made supports but i would suggest the part it's preventive maintenance, i think you can get a decent one on Ebay for 50$

Hey guys hows everyone doin? Thought i'd just pop a question in here. Its getting about time to replace the clutch and im wondering what some individuals thoughts were on oem compared to like stage 1 exedy. Mabye ACT. Im also going to replace the Flywheel and Counterweight at the same time and i must be honest im leaning towards the ACT. Im thinking ACT flywheel and Counterweight with exedy stage 1 clutch kit. Anyone used this combo before? likes? dislikes? any thoughts?

I got the "ACT "Street Duty" Clutch Kit" from BHR, mostly because they were out of the oem one and I couldn't wait. Feels the same as the old clutch before it went out. Stayed with the OEM flywheel.