240SX clutch

[DavidM]

Haven't done anything yet. Got all the parts coming to replace things this weekend. I ordered everything from the front cover through to the clutch disc. I'm going to stick with the stock disc and PP for now. At the rate I'm going with racing they'll last me a long time. I haven't raced since last year's ARRC. I'm going to do the ProIT to try and shake the cobwebs off before the ARRC race, but I'm still going to be slow.

David

[DavidM]

Alrighty. I've got the transmission out. I see nothing that's immediately evident as the cause of my problem. The release bearing sleeve was fine and the pressure plate looks ok to me as well. The front cover appeared to be leaking so hopefully replacing it will stop the leak anyways. I've also put in a new release bearing/sleeve, clutch fork, and the little springs that hold it all together.

Now for the really fun news. The disc and PP are not even remotely stock. The disc is a 6-puck and unsprung. The PP is similar to stock, but the springs look a little beefier. There are no markings on either so I have no idea what's the manufacturer. I've attached a couple pictures. The first is comparing the stock parts to what I pulled off the car. The second is a closeup of the disc. I went back and checked my notes from when I bought the car from Bob and sure enough he said stock disc and PP. He even said stay away from Centerforce. So now I'm not sure what to do. I sure don't want to put the stock parts on and then have to pull everything apart again because it doesn't hold up. I've always heard good things about ACT and that seems to be what you guys are using. What came off the car was a 6-puck so I'd lean that way vs a 4-puck. The disc that came off was unsprung, but maybe that's not the way to go.

Any thoughts?

David

Edit: ACT has the heavy duty PP and a sprung and unspring 6-puck disc. I see how using the sprung would reduce vibrations, but the springs seem like they could be a failure point. I've had the unsprung in the car and the tranny doesn't seem any worse for wear, but maybe symptoms just haven't shown up yet. Earl, is your disc sprung or unsprung?

[Matt93SE]

Sprung hubs will make the tranny last longer as it reduces drivetrain shock during shifts and on/off throttle transitions. they add a tiny amount of rotating mass, but help to save your synchros and baulk rings.

[chuck baader]

The six puck is gross overkill. A three puck will work fine and be much lighter. You might see about having the original pp rebuilt and return the stock parts. I would do that before installing stock parts. (BTW, I run a 4 puck solid ceramic on a 250k plus transmission) If you have the original pp rebuilt, it can be checked for problems that may have been causing the clutch problem. Chuck

[erlrich]

Edit: ACT has the heavy duty PP and a sprung and unspring 6-puck disc. I see how using the sprung would reduce vibrations, but the springs seem like they could be a failure point. I've had the unsprung in the car and the tranny doesn't seem any worse for wear, but maybe symptoms just haven't shown up yet. Earl, is your disc sprung or unsprung?

Mine is the solid 4-puck disc. It's a little rough to drive around the paddock, but once on track you can't tell the difference between it and a stock clutch - except for the no slipping part. The trans is a 100k+ mile one I replaced in '06 (before the new clutch), and it's still working fine. I wouldn't hesitate to put the same clutch back in next time.

[CRallo]

Plus one for don't use Centerforce! One failed in our 240sx.

[Tristan Smith]

A stock clutch set up is going to be fine. You probably wont notice any difference. For what it is worth, I used a "Zoom" clutch and PP in my 240 with great success. Thing looked brand new after three years of racing with it, when I dismantled the car.

Not sure if they still sell them or not.

[DavidM]

I've got an ACT heavy duty PP and 6-puck solid disc on the way. I considered going with the 4-puck like Earl used, but I still drive the car on the trailer and thought the 4-puck might make that more of a PITA. Plus what I pulled off was a 6-puck and I figured I'd just stick with status quo for now. I may switch to a 4-puck disc at some point.

It occurred to me that my problem could be the clutch pedal isn't adjusted right and is pushing the release bearing too far. Matt mentioned this earlier. I replaced the clutch pedal assembly when I rebuilt the car as the old one was worn out. I don't recall adjusting the new one. I'll adjust things this time around to make sure that isn't a problem. It was about time for a new disc and I've replaced all the pieces parts so hopefully I won't have to touch the clutch again for a long time.

David

[erlrich]

I've got an ACT heavy duty PP and 6-puck solid disc on the way. I considered going with the 4-puck like Earl used, but I still drive the car on the trailer and thought the 4-puck might make that more of a PITA.
David

Sorry I wasn't more specific earlier; the only time the clutch in my car gets to be a PITA is when I'm driving around slowly in 1st gear - as in the paddock. The on/off the gas you do when driving slowly tend to be a little jerky, and the car will actually start to buck if you aren't paying attention. My solution is to get it moving and then coast with the clutch in, only letting it out when I need to accelerate again. Driving it on the trailer is no problem at all; you can slip the clutch just like a stock unit, it isn't 'grabby' at all. I think you'll be fine with the 6-puck disc though; in fact I doubt you would be able to tell the difference from a stock clutch.