Hey guys...Just recent i had a shop install an aftermarket McLeod RST Clutch and its been giving us nothing but problems. The clutch is installed but when it comes to bleeding the clutch out this is where the issue lies. When we first started we could only get 1st, 2nd and 3rd gear we couldnt get 4th, 5th or reverse. He put the vacuum pump on it for about 2 hours and we were able to get 4th and still no 5th and reverse. Put the pump on again for about two hours and we were able to get through the gear box with a struggle, its just not right. Now keep in mind i have a hurst short throw, so im not sure if the magnifies the issue. I guess my question here is if any one had or is having issues bleeding the clutch out, or had problems installing aftermarket clutches. If so what did u do to fix the issue or if you might know what may be wrong could you please tell me. I've heard nothing but good things about this clutch. Also just to throw another thing into the fire. When we measure from the top of the flywheel to the top of the pressure plate forks the aftermarket clutch was about 50/1000 of an inch taller. Could this be an issue? PLEASE HELP!!!

 

Sorry dude can't help you, but make sure you let us know what you find when you get it fixed.

You could try PM'ing 94tbird and Hatchman, I think both of them did their own clutch installs.

 

Seems strange he can get the lower gears and not the higher ... the clutch does not know the difference. Might want to revisit the shifter installation and adjustments.

 

Thats what i thought, If i can get 1st 2nd and 3rd easy, why is it so hard to get the rest?

 

any others out there with clutch experience

 

I have heard of another way to bleed the throwout bearing. It sounds funny but it seem to work. Jack up the left side of the car and pump the clutch about 10 times. Its suppose to help if it has a air block. What do you have to lose.

 

Ya i read that on another forum when i did a search, i am going to try that on monday, any others........

 

did they hook the shifter linkage back up on the right side of the short shifter?

if they put it on the wrong side, i hope you know what i'm talking about, that might affect it by not allowing you enough room to reach those gears.

 

You need to look at the shifter install.
The clutch either works or dosent. . If you are getting into any gear it's a linkage problem. Throwout will not have any effect on what gear you can it into.

I wouldn't go back to that Shop ever again (BTW) they should know this!!!!!

 

Well got my car back and i dont think its the short throw. Let me explain why, I push the pedel all the way to the floor and go to put it in first gear and before the car is in gear and i let off the clutch the car is moving forward. I do the same with reverse, just when im about the put it in reverse the car starts moving backward while my foot is pushed all the way in. It is very difficult through the whol gear box, almost needing two hands to put it into gear sometimes. The console in the car is abnormally hot, hotter then what i remember it being. I am at a loss for words. I just do think you can mess up a clutch install when they labeled the parts and told you which way they go in. To me i think its the clutch. I replaced everything, pilot bearing, the slave cylinder, flywheel and full clutch assembly. (RST McLeod Clutch). If someone is out there with one or heard of these problems or might know what it is i would apprecaiste your help.

 

Sounds like you have proven it to be clutch, but another way to test is to row through the gears with the engine off. If it is fine, then you know it is clutch related. People have reported problems getting into 5th and reverse when the linkage is not adjusted properly due to it being all the way over, but not 4th.

 

Jacking up the driver's side of the car and pumping the pedal 10 times is not the proper advice. It should be pumped extremely slow for about 5-10 minutes. Your clutch is definitely not fully disengaging with the pedal depressed. That could be caused by a few different things. Air in the system, improper clutch component matching, or damaged/defective parts. Do you have any softness to the pedal in the first few inches of the down stroke of the pedal? In other words, can you feel the air in the pedal in the first few inches? If you're not sure try pumping the pedal very fast in and out about 10 times and see if it's easier to get into gear immediately after the the last pump. If it is easier, then you have air in the system. If it's not easier, then you most likely have a mechanical issue with the clutch package.

 

McLeod is aware of this issue with the 05 and up Mustanges. Call McLeod and they will exchange your adapter ring with a new one. Some flex has been found while using some bolt patterns on the ring. All new rings will have this correction.

 

well there you go!.. A solution

 

yeah, for future notice, you should never ever have to force the gears, if you do it the wrong way, one time, you will leave several key driveline parts in the street.