PatN217

I recently had to install a new engine as the first one decided it didn't want to run past 45000 miles. I had the mechanics look at the clutch because I was curious as to how much material was left and whether or not it was worth replacing it since the engine was out. I opted not to replace it because the dealership wanted me to sell my soul to pay for OEM parts.

A few weeks ago I started to hear a rattle in/around the transmission upon accelerating and decelerating. The clutch was nearing the end of its life but definitely had a few thousand or so miles on it before the fibers would start showing. Does anyone have any thoughts as to what might be making the noise? My only guess so far is that either a piece of the friction disc has broken off or a compression spring on the pressure plate is loose/broken. I'm putting it up on a lift tomorrow to check out the underside in case something is loose - ill wait to open her up in case anyone has ideas of what it could be. Thanks in advance.

kersh4w

iTrader: (3)

next time the transmission is out, check with one of the forums vendors for a replacement.

the exedy clutch for this car is far cheaper. ironically, exedy makes the OEM clutches.

swoope

iTrader: (5)

take it back to the dealer and ask them to check the ppf alignment.

and if they dont know what it is, make them look it up and do it.

beers

stash588

Hey guys,

Sorry to reopen an old thread, but I didn't want to write a brand new one and this was the closest I came to finding what sounds like my problem. So about a month ago I did the stupid and took my 8 off road. Me and my lady wanted to visit some hot springs out in the middle of nowhere, and nowhere was 5 miles up an uneven dirt mountain road, with lots of rocks. Anyhow, we went up and then down, very cautiously I might add, but not without taking a few good hits.

Once I got to the bottom and back on the pavement, I decided to clean the carbon off. There was a big bang from the clutch going from 1st to 2nd at redline, and the rest of the gears all felt grindy and rattley as well, and I noticed whenever I was cornering right or turning I felt and heard a muffled rubbing/grinding sound from what sounded like the front and rear passenger side wheel wells.

A couple days later coming home from work I blew out the clutch. Tore the plate in half. Anyhow, I decided to switch to a lightweight flywheel from BHR and stick with the OEM exedy clutch. It wasn't till this past weekend that I was able to put everything back in and torque it all up. I also switched out the cat for a BHR midpipe as well, sounds and feels lovely.

Now for my problems...when I first started up the car there was some smoke in the engine bay which had an odd (fishy?) Smell. I figured that was just maybe the clutch plate getting used to its new digs. I adjusted the clutch pedal so I could get it into gear smoothly. I should also add I switched my tranny fluid to lucas oil 75w-90 gear oil cause I couldn't wait on the redline MT90 fluid to arrive (so far, unbelievably smooth).

Took it for a drive. The idle was initially a little uneven (I broke off the vaccum chamber nipple on the oil filler neck assembly when installing the slave clutch cylinder.) But that evened out and haven't had a problem with that since. There was a rattle/dried beans in a tin can sound on idle, which I'm pretty sure was coming from my exhaust. The genius who had my car before me didn't remove the cat when he knocked a hole through it, so it might be some pieces of the honeycomb still rattling about inside the pipe. Otherwise all was good.

Today, about 80 miles after install I noticed a sound whIle I was letting the transmission slow me down in 4th while the windows were up. It sounded like a rubbing/scraping sound coming from underneath, but I want to say it felt further toward the passenger side than it did where the clutch plate is. Now this could just be my ego trying to convince me so I don't have to put it back up on stands and pull the damn tranny again. Let me also add that the sound from the wheels when taking a right turn is still there.

Now my question is, what is this grinding sound? Did I muck up the install and am ruining a brand new clutch plate? Mind you, I haven't once gone over 5k rpms since the install and no launches or quick shifts, nothing but smooth and easy pedal work. I know something is wrong with the wheel bearings or something. I read that the 8 has something similar to a cv joint at the rear. Are the two noises one in the same or is the noise when turning just the wheels and the noise when my foot is off the gas on deceleration something completely different?

I'll also add, there is no sound when accelerating besides the sweet sound of rotary. That and I can't say when the last time the diff fluid was changed as when I went to change it I stripped the fill plug (getting a new one tomorrow.)

I hope that you guys don't chew me out too much, I learned my lesson, keep the 8 on pavement, period. I hope you can also help me figure out what's going on.