mcate

Well, I called & logged a complaint to Ford (Lack Of) Customer Service about just how bad the clutch shudder is in my recently-purchased 09 GT500 with only 4400 miles on it. The car has about 2 weeks left on the 3 yr, 36k warranty left. I requested an upgrade to the 2010 clutch that many other 07-09 GT500 owners got under the old TSB. The new TSB says shudder is a "normal operating characteristic". It may be normal for a poorly designed clutch, but not a properly designed one. I reminded them about the 15 new Fords I've bought since since 1985, as well as the 14 used Fords I've bought. Their rep, Kimberly, informed me in a rather terse & cold manner that "There's nothing we can do". They gave me no reason for their decision. To them, & Kimberly in particular, let me just say "I fart in your general direction".
Now that I've got that off my chest, the sales manager at my dealership (who actually knows something & cares about keeping a loyal customer happy) told me that whatever clutch I decide to go with they will install free of charge. That made me feel a little better, but I'm real upset with Ford. In 27 years, I've never felt screwed until now. I buy a lot of cars, & there are plenty of other manufacturers out there to buy from.

AlsCobra

That's awesome that they will replace it for free. Sucks you gotta buy a clutch. The original one probably wasn't broken in correctly. Factory warranty will only cover a clutch for so long. Mileage or time. Does the 09 come with dual disk or single?

mcate

Dual, I think. The replacements are covered for 12 mo, 12k miles. I'm pretty sure the original is covered 3 yr, 36k.

AlsCobra

Damm the dual is supposed to cut way down on the chatter. Those ain't cheap either.

sampey43

Twin disc. Check on a mcleod rxt clutch/ flywheel combo. Ive read good things about that setup. Dont really know the pricing but they say its worth it!!

sampey43

$1650 on mcleods website

mcate

The McLeod RST (good to 800 hp) is around $1300, the RXT (1000 hp) is like $1500. The dealer said they'll sell me the 2010 setup for approx $750, again with free installation.
Here's another interesting possibility: There's a local guy with an 800hp 2010 GT500 with 11k miles who just put an RXT in his. His OEM clutch was slipping, most likely due to 800hp! We both agreed that it "probably" wouldn't slip in mine, since I'm not making anywhere near 800hp. He'll sell it to me for $100. I'd hate to use my free install on the used one & then have it slip, but I don't exactly have the $$ laying around for a new clutch.
I da#n sure wasn't expecting to have to buy a clutch right away when I bought a car that only had 3900 miles on it.

sampey43

I understand! Mans that just a gamble you know? Cmon Al, help me out here! I would just go with the 2010 clutch i guess if funds are tight. Is this a daily driver?

AlsCobra

Yup. No used clutch! You can always get the flywheel resurfaced and put your clutch back in. Only 4k miles.

mcate

No, just a weekend toy.

sampey43

Then im gonna say new mcleod then! If mine ever goes out itll sit till i can replace it with a bulletproof reputable clutch. Evo performance also sells racing clutches

68GT350

The 2007-09 GT500 is know for not being very good. Believe it or not the shudder is normal for that clutch. It is not a good design and everyone including ford knows it that is why the clutch and fly wheel were redesigned for 2010. With the factory 07-09 clutch you need to increase engine rpm at take off to decrease the shudder.
I have a 2007 GT500 that I bought new and I just had my factory clutch with 37,000 miles just replaced with a 2010-12 clutch system. The new clutch is great. No shudder and a soft clutch pedal.
If you are going to leave the car stock or not going beyond a cold air intake and or a pulley the 2010 clutch will be strong enough. If you go beyond those mods a stronger clutch probably will be needed.
The best price for a ford 2010 clutch is from Tasca Ford. They sell at a discount. Their mail order Phone # is 1-800-915-3141.
Tell them you want the clutch called for in TSB 10-3-8 which is the 2010 clutch and that you have a 2009 GT500.

CLUTCH ASY - $495.99
Part #: CR3Z7B546A
Pack Qty: 1

FLYWHEEL ASY - $167.38
Part #: AR3Z6375A
Pack Qty: 1

SLEEVE (pilot bearing) - $8.71
Part #: F6ZZ7600A
Pack Qty: 1

CYLINDER ASY - CLUTCH SLAVE - $165.33
Part #: DR3Z-7A508-A (was part# AR3Z7A508A)
Pack Qty: 1

BOLT - $2.01 each x 6 = $12.06
Part #: N808969S100
Pack Qty: 6 bolts needed

LUBRICANT – TEFLON - $6.35
Part #: XG8
Pack Qty: 1

TUBE (hydrolic clutch line) - $53.23
Part #: AR3Z7A512A
Pack Qty: 1
FLUID – BRAKE - $3.16
Part #: PM1C
Pack Qty: 1

BOLT - HEX.HEAD - $2.45 x 8 = $19.60
Part #: F6ZZ6379AA
Pack Qty: 8 bolts needed

Total = $931.81 Tasca Ford price ($303.02 savings)

Ford price = $1,234.83

sampey43

nice!

mcate

Thanx for all the help, guys. The car is about to get parked for the winter, so I guess I'll get prices together & worry about it next spring.

bob

+1 on the McLeod RXT which is also more tolerant if you glaze the clutch, it will repair itself unlike the RST which will need to be rebuilt or replaced if you glaze it.

sampey43

Explain if you dont mind! Im curious!

bob

I was reading an article about the McLeod RST/RXT clutches and the McLeod tech mentioned that if you do something that would allow the clutch to abnormally slip (like feathering the clutch in an attempt to get the best launch in a drag race or having to ride the clutch in heavy traffic) and glazed the pucks on the discs that the RXT had the ability due to the puck material to "heal" itself where the RST would need to be pulled and sent out for a rebuild or replaced altogether if they glazed over.

I can report 26,000 trouble free miles on my RXT - pedal feel is much lighter compared to the factory clutch (something I actually miss) and stop & go traffic doesn't have the same deleterious effect as on the stocker which failed due to my particular style of driving and having been subjected to essentially a city wide traffic jam.

sampey43

Wow thats seems pretty cool! Im sure ill be in the market soon for a clutch and im definitely going with the mcleod! Just really didnt know the difference between a rxt and rst

mcate

Me neither. Very good info, & thanx!

sampey43

I second that..... Thanks bob