Stock Clutch Q
 

I've had my GT/CS for 6.5 years with 47.3k miles. My DD. What I'm wanting to gauge is how long should I expect the stock clutch to last? I dont do burn outs or ride on the clutch. However, 90+% is city driving with a fair amount of stopping to and from work. The clutch still seems fine, and I havent noticed it slipping or anything.

My last clutch car was an econo box with mostly highway driving and it had to be replaced around 110k.

Reason for the question, in 3 weeks we are going to be leaving for a trip to Colorado in the Stang. I'd hate for it to croak while travelling....

Also thinking about changing the tranny fluid, what is the consensus on what to add? I found some older posts recommending Royal Purple, Redline MTL and Amsoil MTG.

Thanks.

Some had clutch problems early on with the MT-82's some have not. I have 80k on my 2011 and the clutch is holding fine and I track the car some. I had one of the guys at Steeda in Valdosta drive it last spring and he said the clutch was fine, but to plan on changing in the next 25k miles.

The Redline MTL is no longer recommended for the MT82. It met the original spec, but not the revised spec. I have been running it in mine for 30-40k miles and it shifts a lot better than the stock fluid did.

Only other sign I'd look out for is how far the engagement point is off the floor. The closer it gets to the floor the closer you may be to needing new clutch (or throw out bearing). I have 34k on mine and I've noticed the engagement point moved down a little. But it still grips strong for the occasional clutch drop.

In terms of fluid, I've used RP and lately Redline. I think Redline offers better protection against high temps and track abuse. But for daily comfort and smooth shifts Ford dual clutch fluid may work well. RP worked really well for 2 years for me. Then it started getting notchy when cold.

And with Redline when it's cold I have to double clutch for the first few miles. Perhaps I have some other issues I have not accurately diagnosed yet, but just an observation.

With less than 50k on the clutch I think you're OK. I made it 80k on mine in heavy DC traffic, but even then it wasn't completely shot. I did the occasional burn out and learned how to drive stick on it too. Even so,
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/themust...ebbade2ede.jpg
I probably had another 10k on it. The reason I replaced mine was the clutch started getting ridiculously heavy. Once the clutch wears down to a certain point, the fingers on the pressure plate start losing their mechanical advantage.

oh, as far as the transmission fluid goes -- I was using Mercon V in my T56 which seemed OK but I'm having issues shifting (seems like a problem with my new clutch), so I switched to Pennsoil Synchromesh -- HUGE difference. I'm still having issues (again, think it's the clutch which transmission fluid can't fix), but they're a whole lot more manageable now. I'd definitely say look into it.

Thanks everyone for the replies. On my drive home tonight I was trying to see where I was engaging and it is more than 1/2 from the floor so probably ok there.

I was doing more research on the tran fluid and found a few who replaced with Motorcraft dual clutch fluid, so I found this on LMR, and gave it a try.

I remember reading somewhere that Ford no longer recommends the additive for the MT82. I would do a little more research before pouring it in.