More Spec Clutch Problems?!? - Rick's Garage ep. 32

[@sjbesser2156]

Love the way you handled this man! Two step performance has always been a delight when it comes to customer service!

[@marcelchenevert7251]

I know what clucth i will not be getting, thank you. Hopefully the replacement works 100 percent.

[@theoriginalcttheoriginalct6938]

Great video. I was recommended this after posting my "Focus ST- why not to buy a spec clutch" video. Sorry for your luck. I actually had a few folks insinuate incompetence on my part. Lol! Your patience is admirable. I'm super not into the back and forth to. If I spend a few$100 once, I want my stuff to work right out of the box- especially since my labor changing the part typically exceeds the value of what I'm replacing. After having a few organizations basically attempt to buy me off so that they would have an easier time in the future screwing my neighbors, I'm having none of it. After I investigate my potential shortcomings via, etc, I consider it public service letting people know what's crappy- as opposed to accepting a free upgrade. Thanks again!

[@RicksGarage]

Thank you for the kind words! Sorry to hear you got bit by the poor quality gremlin as well. I checked out your vid and I'm blown away how catastrophic your clutch ended up failing. I hope you consider subscribing to the channel (if you havent already) lots of great content in the works!

[@PurpleDinoRhino]

I love tsp, I read about this issue a while ago so I went with a act streetlite kit. No issues so far after 20k miles

[@Mangobrain82]

Got a spec stage 3 in my Mustang. It’s pretty aggressive and does make noise in different rpm ranges. Going with an Exedy stage 2 next.

[@jessehernandez8629]

Competition clutch is the way to go Rick !

[@MrVoodoo5050]

Good for you. Too often the end consumer gets shafted after the exchange of money. But word of mouth and social media travel fast and if SPEC believes they won’t lose sales they’ll be quick to see how this experience will leave their shopping carts empty. Glad you were able to fix your issue up to this point.

[@darkknight097]

Most people agree that the two brands to ignore on this platform is Action Clutch and Spec. Loving my FX400. No high rpm lock outs on stock cmc, no chatter in 1st after 1500 miles. Slight chatter in reverse. Still going strong after 31k miles

[@maveric0738]

You’re forgetting one more. SouthBend. I just purchased clutch masters FX400 six puck.

[@10thFTW]

RV6 type R/retro flywheel here! Feels stock with much more holding capacity.

[@ThePopcyclePete]

This is a problem with the world in general these days. No accountability. Any admission of guilt would set precedent and companies would have to pay out for labour costs. It's lucky that you have the mechanical aptitude to re and re the clutch too because the cost otherwise would likely be out of your pocket in the thousands for something that was a manufacturing issue. Glad you stuck with it as I'm sure companies like Spec would normally make you wait as long as it takes for you to give up and move on.

[@wymcarstuff2305]

Great video 👏🏽😂

[@capts3052]

TSP FTW !

[@harinsoncarcamo3100]

Exedy here I go!

[@josecisneros2801]

I don’t know if you still getting comments on this one, I just watched your video. And fully identified with your problem. I too contacted SPEC and this was our exchange. Me: What is the distance the throw out bearing must travel pressing the diaphragm fingers to disengage? And how much will the pressure plate will move away from the friction disc? So I can measure the air gap between the pressure plate and the flywheel without the friction disc at 0.000" and then at XXXX" throw. I'm troubleshooting a chattering noise on this clutch and want to verify if the pressure plate is in specs or if it is worn out. I appreciate your help, SPEC: “It should be fully released at .375 travel. The total amount of gap will depend on how far you have it set to throw. A st2 needs about .020 gap. But a chattering noise should not original from release..could be simply gear noise from the higher rate springs in the disc” That was it, did not offer other explanation for the chattering.

[@RicksGarage]

Thank you for your comment Jose - I'm really sad to hear that you're also having these types of issues. Good on you for approaching the situation armed with as much technical info as you were but it's too bad that Spec isnt willing to do any more for you. 🙁 Stay on them - hopefully you can get a better result than what they've offered so far

[@TandemDawgBMG]

After reading into your difficulties and listening to reviews on SPEC, MAPERFORMANCE, and a couple of other companies, I still ended up going with SPEC Stage 2+ for my 2018 Civic Si, although non-proprietary, I made sure to ask all my questions up front directly (since I track my car stock and daily drive and plan on adding some but not too much extra power in the future) to the company and placed my order with them directly, I received very quick, informative, and well constructed emails pertaining exactly to the questions I had and potential troubles that you and others may have experienced and they worked with me closely until I selected my product. I just received it today and will be getting it installed in the next few weeks. Something tells me that because your order went through a third party that is the likely cause of the elongated delay in receiving a replacement, I've had my fair share of incidences with other companies when purchasing through a retailer, which is why I always order directly from the company whenever I can so I can work more one on one with the people that actually made the product. Glad it worked out for you in the end! Hoping for good results with my setup!

[@jimjenkins3928]

Love your videos Rick. I was gonna pop on a Spec 3+ but man this has got me worried. Ill look into purchasing my clutch and flywheel through 2 step though.

[@RicksGarage]

Thanks for the kind words Jim! If I were to do it all over again, I think I would've waited for ACT (wasn't available at the time) I believe RV6 is also offering an fk8 retrofit similar to Eman's setup

[@madchillerofficial]

TSP is an awesome company. Spec not so much. So happy with my ACT street clutch tho!

[@rushking19]

I had issues with my spec stage 3+ clutch too on my tiburon but my issue was that it wouldn't slide onto the input shaft all the way it would barely go on the input shaft it would go on and then stop after barely going on turns out the clutch disk splines were improperly machined and no where near the shape but luckily I messaged spec and within about a day they responded and mailed a new clutch got it in 2 days actually messaged them through Facebook messager. I'm breaking in my clutch rn 50 miles on it but I'll see how it goes

[@esteve95]

I "accidentally" dumped my clutch while test driving it, that's when I started to hear that squeal, mine was a stage 2+

[@bradperkins4264]

Man I have that EXACT same sound with my stage 4 in my 2004 Acura TL. But the sound came in later and wasn't apparent after initial install. But I did have the trans out 3 times, trying to figure out why I couldn't get it into gear with the car running.

[@skyline_advocate9921]

Just got the same sounds too. I went with a 6 puck clutch

[@crisper1614]

My spec clutch recently started to make a similar noise when shifting into first gear. It’s a bit more of a grunk. 😢

[@adampittman508]

I have a $1,500 spec clutch that I installed and then took it back out because noise and the lack of support I received from spec which was Zero. Now a pile of metal in the value of $1,500 sits at the bottom of my toolbox awaiting for some sucker to purchase. Thanks a lot spec great job

[@RicksGarage]

Aw dude - I'm really sorry to hear that you've experienced similar to me -

[@Lagos3sgte]

I had a similar experience with Spec on my 3sgte swapped Celica. After about two weeks with their clutch kit it started to make a noise. I contacted them and they were extremely rude trying to tell me that I should talk to the person I purchased the kit from, when the whole time I was trying to explain that I bought it directly from them. Finally the whole thing failed. It turned out that it was the throw out bearing. I contacted spec again and asked if they could reimburse me part of the cost of having my mechanic drop the trans again. They asked me to mail the failed throw out bearing back to them, and gave me a $20 refund. I didn't like how I was treated and will not be their customer again.

[@RicksGarage]

Dang dude... I don't know whether to thumbs up or down your comment. That really sucks that you had to go through a similar experience. Here's hoping that the new part gives you no troubles!

[@Lagos3sgte]

@@RicksGarage This was a few years ago and everything was fine after I replaced it with an OE throw out bearing. I understand issues can happen, but I did not like how they treated me as a customer. They could care less that I had to pay my mechanic twice for their defective product. Also they are fully aware of the clutch disengagement issues on the 10th gen Civics, and still continue to sell the clutch and make no mention of the problem on their site.

[@kothareddykrishna]

Best clutch for Civic Si is type R retrofit and ACT clutch. Even competition clutch is having great reviews

[@joseroman8860]

100% ACT

[@bigspoon34]

I was thinking of getting a spec clutch stage 2+ what clutch did you end up with ? Company wise ??

[@RicksGarage]

Spec FINALLY sent me a replacement for the defective one - no issues so far 🤞

[@bigspoon34]

Even tho they fixed the issue would you get it again ?? I'm stuck between the spec and the McLeod RXT. I'm just trying to hold off on spending 13 to 1400 this one seems more on the budget side

[@RicksGarage]

@@bigspoon34 certainly not!! I'll NEVER buy another Spec product again. If I could go back and do it all over again, I would get the Type R retrofit clutch kit instead. It wasn't available at the time, which is why I ended up with Spec.

[@Maxst33le]

Wait what was the importance of not using the stock clutch master cylinder I'm confused

[@RicksGarage]

Check out ep. 15 "clutch problems" for more details. In a nutshell, the springs on the new pressure plate are too stiff for the factory CMC to properly release the clutch.

[@skyline_advocate9921]

Did it happen after the break in period ? I haven’t even fully broken in the clutch yet and it’s already making sounds. I’m 400km in, break in period is 800km=500miles. I’ll make a video for the Skyline community.

[@RicksGarage]

It certainly did - your story sounds painfully familiar...

[@NEXTGENMLBSC]

Do you still have the Spec clutch in the car?

[@cruisecontrol6938]

I want to hear Specs repsonse because i just called them (Yesterday). I want their flywheel with removable face but i know their clutches are not the best

[@RicksGarage]

I would've loved to hear their response too - unfortunately, they stopped responding a out this issue quite some time ago. Best of luck with your clutch upgrade though! 🙂

[@santiagopita1882]

So besides the issue you had the spec clutch, would you still recommend the combo?

[@RicksGarage]

If you wanted a Spec clutch for the 10th gen, unless you're making huge torque numbers, I'd probably recommend the stage 2 rather than the 2+. The 2+ is a bit of a leg workout and is rated way higher than the output of the engine. Mind you, the only reason I bought Spec is because ACT had nothing to offer at the time.

[@santiagopita1882]

@@RicksGarage honestly im looking into getting the w2 turbo from 27won. I like the ACT brand and I think I'll be going with them. Thank you for the quick response as always bro.

[@dham99]

Word of mouth...it only takes one or two bad stories for an entire forum for a particular platform to completely boycott a product. Ive heard some issues with Spec and Im looking for a 500whp capable clutch for my Focus ST. Its sad when a big, well known brand blows off customers. Theres not always a positive reason people have heard of your brand! A little bit of customer service and respect goes a long way!

[@RicksGarage]

Well said!

[@maveric0738]

I have had 2 SPEC pressure plates get destroyed on me. They use OEM pressure plates. The rivots On the pressure plate got ripped off. So I’m putting them on blast. I got brushed off too. They said for me to take pictures of the pressure plate. Bogus customer service.

[@noseandfins1]

shopping for a clutch for my Civic since my top option ACT is out of stock. after watching this I guess I will stay away from Spec.

[@KreatorOfDeath1985]

My spec stage 2+ is holding 150 more ftlbs and hp than it's rated for. Absolutely silent aswell, I guess I got a good one 🤷

[@michaellewis9589]

I have a focus st and after my clutch install my car does the same whine at stops. Should i be worried that i have a defect or a bad clutch? Ive had the clutch for at least 6 months.

[@RicksGarage]

Hi Michael, if you're experiencing the same sound at every stop - I'd say something is definitely out of the ordinary. To be sure, I'd get a transmission shop to lend an ear to get their opinion - 🤞 here's hoping for the best!

[@michaellewis9589]

@@RicksGarage I'm no expert but it does just sound like a hum because of friction.

[@RicksGarage]

@@michaellewis9589 if it's just chatter, then I wouldn't worry too much about it

[@michaellewis9589]

@@RicksGarage I could always try to take a video and share it with you!

[@RicksGarage]

@@michaellewis9589 I'd be willing to have a listen - send it to the e-mail in the channel info

[@damnitdang]

Rule of thumb... stick with act

[@ASEWorldClassTech]

Not getting a spec clutch lol.

[@ASEWorldClassTech]

Ordered an ACT Gm9-spss and a billet flywheel from another company. 🤷‍♂️ We'll see how she goes.

[@XxpostyxX]

That's why I'm buying mine from fcpeuro where they offer lifetime warranty no matter even if it's your fault they'll replace it for free

[@MrLittlevtec]

I could of told u about spec b4 you bought. Any other company is better

[@mr1hander]

its absolute shit garbage junk;; i will never buy one...they treated my son the same way..a business gets one chance with me..and it starts with how you treat t the customer.. they wanted us to machine the shit so it would work and then get back to them with the fix...accepted zero responsibility the entire time... FU spec

[@RicksGarage]

Man, that stinks that you guys had to go through a similar experience ☹