Clutch Problems???

[John Allen]

Well I had the car 4 weeks with around town and mountain driving for 4 k miles. Everything great!! Then we left home Saturday noon and headed for the East coast. Got about to Indianapolis and noticed that if in 6th gear cruzin at say 65, if I step on it to pass or whatever, the clutch slips a few seconds then grabs and car speeds up???? I'm in Penn now and it's getting worse to the point I don't use 6th gear. Also notice now when I down shift, the clutch does'nt grab and there is no deceleration???? I've got another 4 k miles for this trip, hope to baby it home.

 

Any suggestions besides crossing fingers???

[bpmurr]

Well I had the car 4 weeks with around town and mountain driving for 4 k miles. Everything great!! Then we left home Saturday noon and headed for the East coast. Got about to Indianapolis and noticed that if in 6th gear cruzin at say 65, if I step on it to pass or whatever, the clutch slips a few seconds then grabs and car speeds up???? I'm in Penn now and it's getting worse to the point I don't use 6th gear. Also notice now when I down shift, the clutch does'nt grab and there is no deceleration???? I've got another 4 k miles for this trip, hope to baby it home.

 

Any suggestions besides crossing fingers???

 

 

Welcome to my world. That is what mine did early on before it got bad. The sooner you get it into the dealer the better. Be prepared to fight Ford because they consider the clutch a wear item and may try to deny warranty coverage.

 

What area of the East Coast are you going to be in?

[Ezareth]

Welcome to my world. That is what mine did early on before it got bad. The sooner you get it into the dealer the better. Be prepared to fight Ford because they consider the clutch a wear item and may try to deny warranty coverage.

 

What area of the East Coast are you going to be in?

 

 

His car is a couple months old, without modifications where yours is over a year old with 10K miles and a pulley swap. I don't think he's going to have a fight.

 

Sorry to hear your having problems JD. We have the exact same car to the light bar.....to think I could be having the same problem... / -=

[bpmurr]

His car is a couple months old, without modifications where yours is over a year old with 10K miles and a pulley swap. I don't think he's going to have a fight.

 

Sorry to hear your having problems JD. We have the exact same car to the light bar.....to think I could be having the same problem... / -=

 

 

Incorrect, mine was less than a year old with 9400 miles when I took it to the dealer back in June. Please get your facts straight. It sounds like at the end of his trip he'll have close to 8k. That is a lot of miles in a short period of time. Sure the pulley swap didn't help matters in my case but it's not what caused the failure. I only had 2000 miles on the car with the pulley on. The other 7400 was stock. The bottom line is Ford says their is no warranty on the clutch pulley or not because it's a wear item. They may do something as a courtesy though. He needs to get that into a dealer before he puts a lot of miles on it.

[kpevin]

Stop by a dealer if its that bad, if you are on a trip and there is a clutch anywhere in the US they will have it overnighted and should have you back on the road in a couple days. I dont think they will put up much of a fight with 4K miles on a stock 2011 unless there is some serious signs of abuse.

[ChrisSD]

Stepping on it in 6th @ 65MPH is lugging the engine and can hurt the clutch as is. You should never do this.

[Ezareth]

Stepping on it in 6th @ 65MPH is lugging the engine and can hurt the clutch as is. You should never do this.

 

 

Are you sure about that? 65 is way over the manual recommended speed for 6th gear, granted it is low in the power band. I step on it at 65 all the time, it's about 1500 RPMS at that point I believe.

[Torched10]

Are you sure about that? 65 is way over the manual recommended speed for 6th gear, granted it is low in the power band. I step on it at 65 all the time, it's about 1500 RPMS at that point I believe.

 

Agree,i do it all the time.I trust Chrs' judgement though--Chris can you tell us why its bad for the clutch??

[bpmurr]

I just want to add some more clarity to the clutch warranty since I just got off the phone again with the executive offices. If there is no manufactures defect to the clutch, Ford will not cover it period. Maybe some dealers will skirt the warranty process but technically Ford will not do anything. They made if very clear on the phone today it had nothing to do with my mod just their rule in general that the part wasn’t defective. I’m not trying to scare anyone just saying that you should be prepared for the worst and hopefully everything will be ok.

[Torched10]

I just want to add some more clarity to the clutch warranty since I just got off the phone again with the executive offices. If there is no manufactures defect to the clutch, Ford will not cover it period. Maybe some dealers will skirt the warranty process but technically Ford will not do anything. They made if very clear on the phone today it had nothing to do with my mod just their rule in general that the part wasn’t defective. I’m not trying to scare anyone just saying that you should be prepared for the worst and hopefully everything will be ok.

 

WOW---thats weird,you were still in warranty werent you--or is my memory fading

[bpmurr]

WOW---thats weird,you were still in warranty werent you--or is my memory fading

 

 

Ford's stance is there is no warranty on the clutch regardless of time or mileage. The only way they will fix it for free is if there is a mechanical defect.

 

At the time I brought it in I was at 10 months and 9400 miles.

 

This battle has been a tough one but I'm fighting it until the end.

[Ezareth]

Ford's stance is there is no warranty on the clutch regardless of time or mileage. The only way they will fix it for free is if there is a mechanical defect.

 

At the time I brought it in I was at 10 months and 9400 miles.

 

This battle has been a tough one but I'm fighting it until the end.

 

 

I think that is a fair policy honestly, and I would say the same thing were it to happen to me.

 

A clutch is really no different than a brake pad, you can destroy your brakes almost as easily as you can a clutch, and unless it is Ford's fault why should they pay for it?

 

I hope in JDs case it is an obvious defect as it sounds like it is, but a long course of driving through the mountains could potentially smoke a clutch if it isn't driven properly. I don't know.

[ChrisSD]

Are you sure about that? 65 is way over the manual recommended speed for 6th gear, granted it is low in the power band. I step on it at 65 all the time, it's about 1500 RPMS at that point I believe.

 

 

It is more than fine to be in 6th at 65, in fact that is where you should be when cruising! You do not want to go WOT @ 1500 RPM in 5th or 6th gear in a boosted car though, period! The engine has no leverage, way too high ratios in those 2 gears. That is some serious lugging of the engine. Lugging an engine is hard on all the internal components. However, the place where it usually has the most impact is the rod bearings. Frequently lugging an engine will cause wear at the top of the bearing, slowly making it oval. You are beating the crap out of the crank and rods by doing this.

 

If you are going 65 and want to go WOT, put it in 3rd or 4th minimum! Live a little! Light acceleration in 5th or 6th at that LOW RPM is fine, just don't get into boost.

 

Tons of info:

 

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&q=lugging+an+engine&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=7d7ca6bf66d35681

[Ezareth]

It is more than fine to be in 6th at 65, in fact that is where you should be when cruising! You do not want to go WOT @ 1500 RPM in 5th or 6th gear in a boosted car though, period! The engine has no leverage, way too high ratios in those 2 gears. That is some serious lugging of the engine. Lugging an engine is hard on all the internal components. However, the place where it usually has the most impact is the rod bearings. Frequently lugging an engine will cause wear at the top of the bearing, slowly making it oval. You are beating the crap out of the crank and rods by doing this.

 

If you are going 65 and want to go WOT, put it in 3rd or 4th minimum! Live a little! Light acceleration in 5th or 6th at that LOW RPM is fine, just don't get into boost.

 

Tons of info:

 

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&safe=off&q=lugging+an+engine&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=7d7ca6bf66d35681

 

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Since you seem to be a transmission expert if you get a chance I'd appreciate it if you could answer my question in the stupid questions thread.

 

Any time I want to ACCELERATE in 6th gear around 65MPH I normally downshift to forth or sometimes third depending on my need (usually when a guy I've been riding in the passing lane gets a clue and gets over leaving me a large open stretch ahead), but often I'll do a slow acceleration without downshifting from 65 to 100MPH without shifting but I never floor it and I've never seen boost at those RPMs reguardless.

 

At what speeds is it safe to WOT it in 6th and more importantly 5th gear?

[ChrisSD]

You shouldn't be flooring it in 6th unless you are running the Texas mile or something. It's an "economy gear", the ratio was selected for keeping engine RPM low to get somewhat decent mileage at 65MPH.

 

5th, I wouldn't bother flooring it unless I was at 3k or higher.

 

Also, when you go from 6th to 3rd flutter the throttle a bit once the clutch is in so the transition is easier on the trans.

[Ezareth]

You shouldn't be flooring it in 6th unless you are running the Texas mile or something. It's an "economy gear", the ratio was selected for keeping engine RPM low to get somewhat decent mileage at 65MPH.

 

5th, I wouldn't bother flooring it unless I was at 3k or higher.

 

Also, when you go from 6th to 3rd flutter the throttle a bit once the clutch is in so the transition is easier on the trans.

 

 

When you say "flutter" the throttle do you mean once the clutch is fully released or as you are releasing it? My wife gets on my because I tend to apply gas before the clutch is fully released when shifting.

 

I'm a bit paranoid I think about needlessly shifting, I typically go from First to third to 5th ot 6th when accelerating normally and I prefer not to downshift unless my RPMs are too low....all because I'm trying to prevent unnecessary wear on my clutch.....so basically that is providing wear to the trans instead?

[ChrisSD]

Should have said PEDAL in, not clutch. I mean clutch to the floor, rev, shift, release. FLUID motion! Just a tap, not reline revving the shit out of it! This way you don't DRAG the engine up to speed with the driveline. Say it's at 1500 in 6th and you want to be in 3rd to haul ass. In less then 1 second I could clutch in, TAP throttle bringing revs to 4500 while shifting to 3rd, then release and FLOOR the throttle. As for your other question, just don't lug the engine =)

[Ezareth]

Should have said PEDAL in, not clutch. I mean clutch to the floor, rev, shift, release. FLUID motion! Just a tap, not reline revving the shit out of it! This way you don't DRAG the engine up to speed with the driveline. Say it's at 1500 in 6th and you want to be in 3rd to haul ass. In less then 1 second I could clutch in, TAP throttle bringing revs to 4500 while shifting to 3rd, then release and FLOOR the throttle. As for your other question, just don't lug the engine =)

 

 

Got it! Will keep in mind.

[John Allen]

We we made it to New York today ok. As long as I stay out of 6th gear, I can control the slippage. I called my home dealer as soon as I started having trouble in Indy Monday morning. He said he would put my problems in the system, so the issue is logged into Ford with date, milage, and problem. If I make it home, they have a clutch waiting.

 

This makes me wonder if the SVTPP should really be a "daily driver". I have not abused or miss used this car at all. I'm 58 years old and been driving sticks all my life -- obvioulsy not with this power and techknowledge but still??? It will be interesting to see what Ford says about it though.

[John Allen]

Welcome to my world. That is what mine did early on before it got bad. The sooner you get it into the dealer the better. Be prepared to fight Ford because they consider the clutch a wear item and may try to deny warranty coverage.

 

What area of the East Coast are you going to be in?

 

New York City north along the coast thru Main then playing it by ear, I hope.

[bpmurr]

I think that is a fair policy honestly, and I would say the same thing were it to happen to me.

 

A clutch is really no different than a brake pad, you can destroy your brakes almost as easily as you can a clutch, and unless it is Ford's fault why should they pay for it?

 

I hope in JDs case it is an obvious defect as it sounds like it is, but a long course of driving through the mountains could potentially smoke a clutch if it isn't driven properly. I don't know.

 

 

I'm not sure where the difference between JD and me is. His is a daily driver and so is mine. I don't abuse the car just drive it to work. I've got a 2005 GT with 58k on it and the original clutch. I too wonder if these cars can handle being daily drivers....

[John Allen]

I'm not sure where the difference between JD and me is. His is a daily driver and so is mine. I don't abuse the car just drive it to work. I've got a 2005 GT with 58k on it and the original clutch. I too wonder if these cars can handle being daily drivers....

 

 

I put a lot of miles on mine right off the lot. 4000 the first 4 weeks and mostly Colorado high country mountain driving, but my driving methods were not abusive to the car. Now I take off cross country with it and at 5000 miles I start to notice the problem. I don't think my driving is out of line, however it may be out of line for the design of the car and it's intended use -- 1/4 mile at a time???

[bpmurr]

I put a lot of miles on mine right off the lot. 4000 the first 4 weeks and mostly Colorado high country mountain driving, but my driving methods were not abusive to the car. Now I take off cross country with it and at 5000 miles I start to notice the problem. I don't think my driving is out of line, however it may be out of line for the design of the car and it's intended use -- 1/4 mile at a time???

 

 

When I think back mine started slipping back in the 7k range. At the time I really didn't know better. I'm not sure that really would have helped any.

 

On a good note another guy on fordgt500.com has a 2010 with a clutch failure at 3k. His is getting replaced free of charge.

 

I'm happy for him but it pisses me off at the same time.

 

I would like to think these cars can handle daily driving. It seems 07-09 cars are doing ok for the most part. I'm wondering if it's just the design of this clutch that doesn't hold up? For instance high end cars purposely build the clutch so that it fails that way it keeps more expensive parts from breaking.

 

I for one don't think your driving is out of line at all. I thought I put my first 4k on quick until I read about yours!

[Ezareth]

All I'm saying is an engineer should be able to tell by looking at a clutch whether the wear on a clutch is due to improper driving/ abuse or a defect in manufacturing/installation. I don't know the facts in either of your situations but if it is a defective part it should be replaced by warranty, if it is wear, no matter how many miles are on the car it is a different story.

[bpmurr]

All I'm saying is an engineer should be able to tell by looking at a clutch whether the wear on a clutch is due to improper driving/ abuse or a defect in manufacturing/installation. I don't know the facts in either of your situations but if it is a defective part it should be replaced by warranty, if it is wear, no matter how many miles are on the car it is a different story.

 

I agree with you. However, in my case an SVT engineer never did a physical inspection of my unit. Just looked at pictures and denied my request for a physical inspection. In pictures my McLeod unit looked fine but upon physical inspection at McLeod it was determined to be defective with a bent disc. Had Lee not put it on the machine I would have never known. I agree with you on wear, but then again it shouldn't wear out with 9400 miles or 4000 for that matter by a competent driver.

[Ezareth]

I agree with you. However, in my case an SVT engineer never did a physical inspection of my unit. Just looked at pictures and denied my request for a physical inspection. In pictures my McLeod unit looked fine but upon physical inspection at McLeod it was determined to be defective with a bent disc. Had Lee not put it on the machine I would have never known. I agree with you on wear, but then again it shouldn't wear out with 9400 miles or 4000 for that matter by a competent driver.

 

 

True, it shouldn't wear out by then, but find me a GT500 owner with a smoked clutch who is going to admit it is their driving habits that was the problem, or any two drivers with the same technique and therein lies Ford's problem.

 

I've learned things I never knew about clutches and transmissions and driving techniques here that I'm glad I had the chance to learn. Most of these things really don't matter in a lower horsepower car. The problem is with a 550 HP car even slightly poor driving habits are going to be amplified on the wear on the clutch due to the amount of HP on the car. That's why you don't hear about a new Ford Focus or Fusion with a smoked clutch.(at least I haven't)

 

In your case, hopefully Ford gave you some sort of break, maybe not fully covered it but gave you something to take a bit of sting out of the replacement. I'd look at it as an opportunity to upgrade to a better clutch and have one with no wear whatsoever. $1200 or whatever isn't really much money when it comes to these cars.

[Ezkill]

I'm hoping these clutch issues are somewhat isolated and aren't a general indication of the quality of the clutch. Between the 1-2 shift thread, the clutch problems thread and then this thread on top of it I'm getting a little antsy about throwing a whipple into the car.

 

I would agree that 1200-1500 dollars for a new clutch isn't a whole lot of money when you are adding horsepower and that's not what has me concerned. I've had terrible luck with clutch replacements in the past and I don't want to keep taking the car in for slipping clutches. That can just be a nightmare. I think I'm pretty easy on my clutches 95 percent of the time so hopefully this one lasts some time.

[John Allen]

Well we didn't make it home!!! We got to New York and spent 3 days there sight seeing, never driving the Shelby. Left New Your on Friday and new I was in trouble right away. The clutch was slipping bad. I was able to limp it into Tasca Ford in Cranston RI Friday night just before closing. Fortunately they have a clutch in stock and will install on Monday. I will be very interested in seeing what the clutch discs look like when they come out. Having been thru this issue now, I sincerely believe that 6th gear is way too high overdrive for the power at hand with this engine. I'm no mechanic, but my problems seem to have come from highway driving in 6th gear. I'd like to hear from some who knows that can explain why I'm wrong in my theory.

 

Should this car be a daily driver -- or just a 1/4 mile straight a way at a time ???

[kpevin]

Well we didn't make it home!!! We got to New York and spent 3 days there sight seeing, never driving the Shelby. Left New Your on Friday and new I was in trouble right away. The clutch was slipping bad. I was able to limp it into Tasca Ford in Cranston RI Friday night just before closing. Fortunately they have a clutch in stock and will install on Monday. I will be very interested in seeing what the clutch discs look like when they come out. Having been thru this issue now, I sincerely believe that 6th gear is way too high overdrive for the power at hand with this engine. I'm no mechanic, but my problems seem to have come from highway driving in 6th gear. I'd like to hear from some who knows that can explain why I'm wrong in my theory.

 

Should this car be a daily driver -- or just a 1/4 mile straight a way at a time ???

 

 

Unless you give it a lot of throttle in 6th gear using it should be easier on everything. Problem is once the clutch slips bad one time in 6th it will most likely be toasted for good. Once a clutch gets glazed over from heat its holding power is gone, then the more you try to see if its going to slip the worse it gets. If you are passing traffic ot climbing mountains in 6th thats really more strain on the engine than anything, you are pretty far down in RPM and the HP/torque just isnt there.. Thousands of cars out there with just as much, or more, overdrive than these running around with 100K on stock single disc clutches that would die after a couple dragstrip uses.

 

You could also have a slight oil leak or it could just be a bad or improperly installed clutch or a bad slave cylinder not releasing all the way. Or it could be these clutches just suck.

[bpmurr]

Well we didn't make it home!!! We got to New York and spent 3 days there sight seeing, never driving the Shelby. Left New Your on Friday and new I was in trouble right away. The clutch was slipping bad. I was able to limp it into Tasca Ford in Cranston RI Friday night just before closing. Fortunately they have a clutch in stock and will install on Monday. I will be very interested in seeing what the clutch discs look like when they come out. Having been thru this issue now, I sincerely believe that 6th gear is way too high overdrive for the power at hand with this engine. I'm no mechanic, but my problems seem to have come from highway driving in 6th gear. I'd like to hear from some who knows that can explain why I'm wrong in my theory.

 

Should this car be a daily driver -- or just a 1/4 mile straight a way at a time ???

 

 

Is this being covered under warranty at no charge? I hope for your sake that it is. If possible can you get some pics of the clutch when they take it out?