NC CLutch

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Thu Nov 18, 2010 3:03 pm

Glad to hear that Phil.I only changed the clutch in the LE because I had it out for the gearbox upgrade and it made sense to do it while it was out.

Touch wood I seem to be easy on a car despite some spirited driving and have never had any clutch or gearbox woes.But then again,I didn't drive my NC for the first 43000 klms.

Thanks for the heads up on the part.

Peter.

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 11:03 am

Latest on new clutch is that apparently there is no replacement aftermarket clutch kit available in Aus. for a NC.
I thought it strange but confirmed by 3 different places. Exedy OEM , Repco, Coventrys, CBA, all dont do one .
MX5Mania confirm all the above but may be able to source from USA.
Mazda dealer quoted unbelievable $1950- to supply and fit a genuine. Not going down that track, would rather let the car sit until such time as an aftermarket becomes available.
Never-the-less, surely mine is not the first NC to require a Clutch kit, so a solution must be possible. The suggestion to put the Mitsubishi Plate in is interesting but I dont think any of the "Clutch specialists" that I spoke to would do that as they all seem to stick to the idea of putting in a "full kit" and would baulk at the idea of something seen as radical particularily as they have to guarantee the repairs.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 2:43 pm

spotted wrote:...but I dont think any of the "Clutch specialists" that I spoke to would do that as they all seem to stick to the idea of putting in a "full kit" and would baulk at the idea of something seen as radical particularily as they have to guarantee the repairs.

Who's wagging the tail here :?:

You or the "clutch specialists" who've never seen a NC clutch in their lives. :?:

This may seem a little harsh (I've had a loooong lunch :beer:

) but you have been given advice from some one who's running a Targa NC race team and you don't seem to be taking it onboard. Of course they (Clutch specialists") want to put a "full kit" in, it's more money for them.

Go buy the Mitsubishi clutch plate, then head off to a local mechanic and say fit this and machine the flywheel only if it needs it. You sure as hell don't need a rear seal unless it's leaking.

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 3:02 pm

Charlie Brown wrote:
spotted wrote:...but I dont think any of the "Clutch specialists" that I spoke to would do that as they all seem to stick to the idea of putting in a "full kit" and would baulk at the idea of something seen as radical particularily as they have to guarantee the repairs.

Who's wagging the tail here You or the "clutch specialists" who've never seen a NC clutch in their lives.

This may seem a little harsh (I've had a loooong lunch ) but you have been given advice from some one who's running a Targa NC race team and you don't seem to be taking it onboard. Of course they (Clutch specialists") want to put a "full kit" in, it's more money for them.

Go buy the Mitsubishi clutch plate, then head off to a local mechanic and say fit this and machine the flywheel only if it needs it. You sure as hell don't need a rear seal unless it's leaking.

My humble apologies to the guru of NC's
.. I had not realised with whom I was corresponding with.
Any ideas where I can get the Mitsi. clutch plate as CBA (distributors in WA for Exedy etc), wont sell to "public".As soon as I can get hold of one, i will follow your advise to the letter, without question.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 3:24 pm

Yea it's been a long lunch. I just get pi**ed off with over servicing charges. Sorry.

If your clutch man isn't happy with putting in the Mitsubishi clutch plate and you can't source one yourself why not have Chris send you one over and then have a mechanic install it or go to Les at the MX5 Shoppe, who's on this board, and get him to do it?

Just trying to get you out of a hole.

MX5 Parts are out of stock also: http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/product_info. ... ts_id/1804

tinsfci · Postby **tinsfci** » Fri Nov 19, 2010 4:17 pm

spotted wrote:Any ideas where I can get the Mitsi. clutch plate as CBA (distributors in WA for Exedy etc), wont sell to "public".As soon as I can get hold of one, i will follow your advise to the letter, without question.

Try this place:
Australian Truck & Auto Parts (ATAP)
(08) 9352 9800
2 Hazlehurst St
Kewdale WA 6105

Very reasonable pricing last time I bought an Exedy HD clutch. Took them a day or two to get it in for me.

P

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:12 pm

The post of 18/11 by spotted looks about right to me. For a standard car one would expect the OEM clutch to be very adequate- Daikin/Exedy are a world class maker. As a walk up expectation Mazda OEM expect no clutch returns during warranty and that can mean high kms. JBT is right - it should not have failed at such low KM's unless it has not been used correctly. The NB's did have a known flaw for a particular iteration-has anyone heard of a design or durability concern with NC's?

I would also agree that any clutch fitter - who normally provide a warranty- are never going to warrant non standard components. Who has tested any non standard products with any resembling a proper test criteria? Anyone who has been involved in OE certification will appreciate the cost and time involved.

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 11:19 am

Final word from Exedy Head Office. They have been out of NC stock for a while but expecting end of Jan '11....
I wonder if this means that they had a run on stock or they had very few in the first place.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 11:44 am

Try here also: http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-Pe ... d=AbZaDWAd

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Tue Nov 23, 2010 1:22 pm

if your clutch is slipping now waiting till Jan does not sound workable- it will get worse. Very odd situation- I would expect someone in the Exedy or clutch business would source a clutch kit quickly- someone surely has stock- what about Mazda. If the clutch is the same as current models there is in theory stock available- P&A stock is normally supplied off the same line as OE albeit with different packaging. If the clutch has changed from current OE then it is possible the maker has a minimum order requirement or a heavily scheduled factory-who knows- but one would expect some constructive help. .

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:18 pm

Mr Morlock wrote:if your clutch is slipping now waiting till Jan does not sound workable- it will get worse. Very odd situation- I would expect someone in the Exedy or clutch business would source a clutch kit quickly- someone surely has stock- what about Mazda. If the clutch is the same as current models there is in theory stock available- P&A stock is normally supplied off the same line as OE albeit with different packaging. If the clutch has changed from current OE then it is possible the maker has a minimum order requirement or a heavily scheduled factory-who knows- but one would expect some constructive help. .

I have been talking to Exedy in Melbourne and it is they who say nothing available until end of January.
And yes I can get one from Good-Win in USA and that is either a "Standard Exedy"(US$236- + freight) or "Exedy Sports Tuff" (US$329 + freight).
Can also get same from UK.
But seems weird that not available in Aus. but believe me I have tried, which makes me think, did they only ever stock a hand-full and there has been a run on them?? Or maybe Mazda has bought the whole lot in anticipation of Nc's starting to need clutches.
Mazda has stock, probably even the Exedy but packaged as Mazda genuine. They want $1200-, yes $1200- so that it not an option, might as well air-freight one from USA if get desperate. Not desperate yet as it only slips when driving "very spirited" but is good to know that have options if comes to that.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 9:02 am

I've just had a thought that’s worth investigating.

Where is the take up on the clutch pedal?

The reason I ask is because you can change the take up position by adjusting the rod going into the master cylinder. If the take up is near the very top and there is no play in the pedal, then maybe, just maybe, there is still some pressure on the thrust bearing that is causing a reduction in clamping pressure from the pressure plate?

If your take up is towards the bottom then sorry I have no answer other than a new plate.

Old Dude · Postby **Old Dude** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 10:05 am

What about getting the clutch relined? when I was a younger man, If we had a clutch problem we would pull out the clutch, take it to Sydney Clutch and brake and they would reline it/ recondition it and presto, back in the car and off we went. And they guaranteed it.

Cheers
Dale

spotted · Postby **spotted** » Sat Nov 27, 2010 4:57 pm

It Is not critical yet and I am hoping that it will hold out until suchtime as Exedy get stock here in Aus...
Doing a "Autotest " event tomorrow so am confident that it will be Ok, as long as I dont slip the clutch on takeoff and corners.

Exedy has both "standard" and "Sports Tuff" for NC available in US and probably other countries and I could buy from OS if really neccessary.
Plan is to get a "Sports Tuff" as soon as they come to Aus., this is only $60- more than a standard and still $850- less than a "genuine Mazda kit"...