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Official thread for Clutchmaster Clutches longevity issues


JermTheElf

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If you've had problems with their clutches please fill this out and post and I will update the OP with everyone's issues. I'd like to consolidate all of these issues everyone is having.

 

 

CM Clutch Model:

 

Car TQ:

 

Flywheel:

 

Chatter experienced?:

 

How many miles installed for:

 

Reason for removal:

 

Replaced with:

 

Happy with replacement?:

 

 

 

 

JermThElf

 

CM Clutch Model: ClutchMasters FX350

 

Car TQ: 370 ft/lbs (wheel)

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW (resurfaced)

 

Chatter experienced?: Mostly in humid conditions, inconsistant, worse after breakin

 

How many miles installed for: 12,500 miles

 

Reason for removal: Clutch began to slip in 1st gear from a stop only, eventually slipped in all gears

 

Replaced with: Spec Stage 2+ SU203H

 

Happy with replacement?: Very happy, would reccomend this clutch for pedal effort, grab and comfort

 

 

 

ras06LGT

 

Clutch Model: CM FX350

 

Car TQ: ~280 WHP (BNR 16G, 93 octane, never been on a dyno)

 

Flywheel: New OEM 06+ SMFW

 

Chatter: None through break-in up to about 2,000 miles. Got progressively worse until I removed it at ~9,000 miles. All weather condition, all take-off RPMs, all clutch release speeds.

 

Miles installed for: ~9,000 miles

 

Reason for removal: Excessive chatter in all conditions

 

Replaced with: Exedy Stage 1 kit 15804, same SMFW

 

Happy with replacement: Absolutely! Heavier pedal effort, but very smooth and predictable engagement. Zero chatter after 5,000 miles on clutch. Holds my power levels very well. Cheaper than other options ($430).

 

 

RedDawg

 

CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ: Stage 2 e-tune (unsure of the exact tq)

 

Flywheel: wrx oem single-mass

 

Chatter experienced?: very bad chatter to where the car is shaking if I start from a stop with anything <2k-rpms

 

How many miles installed for: 10,000 miles and just noticed slipping in 4th & 5th gear when boost builds for passing on the highway.

 

Reason for removal: not removed yet

 

Replaced with: note removed yet

 

Happy with replacement?: I hope I will be

 

 

idiot4hire

 

CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ: 318lbs

 

Flywheel: wrx oem single-mass

 

Chatter experienced?: lasted 5k miles

 

How many miles installed for: 8k miles

 

Reason for removal: slipping 3rd, 4th, 5th and jumping in second

 

Replaced with: spec 2+ going in soon

 

Happy with replacement?: I had one before so I know I will be

 

 

dahoseman

 

1)

CM Clutch Model: FX300

 

Car TQ: 302

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW

 

Chatter experienced?: NO

 

How many miles installed for:3000 miles

 

Reason for removal:Complete failure with inability to put car into neutral. “Defective Pressure Plate” was final analysis by CM

 

Replaced with: FX350 sent as replacement

 

Happy with replacement?:NO

 

 

2)

CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ: 302

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW - Resurfaced

 

Chatter experienced?: YES, Like an earthquake. Progressively worse over time. All gears. All conditions.

 

How many miles installed for: 5000 miles

 

Reason for removal:Chatter became so severe that bolts, nuts, and screws were being rattled loose. Clutch found to be ‘worn out’ by CM

 

Replaced with: FX200 sent as replacement

 

Happy with replacement?: I think so. However, the clutch pedal has been creeping up over 8000 miles.

 

 

compsurge

 

CM Clutch Model: FX300

 

Car TQ: Stage 2

 

Flywheel: OEM WRX SMFW

 

Chatter experienced?: Yes - slight after 3k

 

How many miles installed for: 32k

 

Reason for removal: No more clutch material

 

Replaced with: FX300 - thanks M Sprank for a good deal!

 

Happy with replacement?: Haven't driven yet (low priority until next week)

 

 

PutnamCO

 

CM Clutch Model: FX400

 

Car TQ:380 wtq

 

Flywheel: OEM STI

 

Chatter experienced?: No

 

How many miles installed for:7k

 

Reason for removal: Sudden and complete failure. No slipping, smoke, smell etc before it completely stopped working. Literally shifted into gear and felt like I was in neutral. To get the car out of the road, I revved it up, and the car inched forward at 5000+ rpm.

 

Replaced with:FX300

 

Happy with replacement?: Not installed yet.

 

Mailed the clutch to Clutchmasters, and they "We unable to determine reason for failure". They offered to give me a deal on rebuilding my clutch, but I'm not comfortable putting the same clutch back in, since they don't know what the problem was.

 

Luckily, Mike from Infamous bailed me out and gave me a very good deal on an FX300, since I bought the original from him. Mike being a stand-up vendor as always. I went with the FX300 because many fewer people on here report problems, and Mike recommended it. Fingers crossed...

 

 

Timbo7

 

CM Clutch Model: fx350

 

Car TQ: 340

 

Flywheel: oem wrx

 

Chatter experienced?: Yes.

 

How many miles installed for:9k

 

Reason for removal: Havent removed yet. But its slipping in 3rd and 4th when wide open. Hopefully I can get new one soon and pull it.

 

Replaced with: looking at the spec2+

 

Happy with replacement?: see above

 

 

MaStaMooN

 

CM Clutch Model: FX300

 

Car TQ: unknown (stage2+tmic)

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW

 

Chatter experienced?: Bad in the beginning, fine now.

 

How many miles installed for: 25k

 

Reason for removal: Slipping in 5th gear when passing/accelerating

 

Replaced with: tuner recommends Exedy Stage 1, still weighing options

 

Happy with replacement?: see above

 

 

 

NastyLGT

 

CM Clutch Model: fx350

 

Car TQ: 260ish

 

Flywheel: 06 WRX

 

Chatter experienced?: Since day one....

 

How many miles installed for: about 10,000

 

Reason for removal: haven't removed yet. But its slipping in all gears and chatter is extremely bad

 

Replaced with: either oem or spec 2

 

Happy with replacement?: hopefully....

 

 

srehn

 

CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ: 330

 

Flywheel:New OEM single mass

 

Chatter experienced?: Massive. From the beginning until about 9500 miles at which point it started to slip in 5th and 6th under boost. Now slipping in 3rd and 4th if not babied. Now that it's dying, its actually manageable from a dead stop.

 

How many miles installed for: Still in at 10,000 but living on borrowed time.

 

Reason for removal: ^^

 

Replaced with: Looking at Southbend stage 3 daily and Spec 3+

 

Happy with replacement?: Advice is always welcome.

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Clutch Model: CM FX350

 

Car TQ: ~280 WHP (BNR 16G, 93 octane, never been on a dyno)

 

Flywheel: New OEM 06+ SMFW

 

Chatter: None through break-in up to about 2,000 miles. Got progressively worse until I removed it at ~9,000 miles. All weather condition, all take-off RPMs, all clutch release speeds.

 

Miles installed for: ~9,000 miles

 

Reason for removal: Excessive chatter in all conditions

 

Replaced with: Exedy Stage 1 kit 15804, same SMFW

 

Happy with replacement: Absolutely! Heavier pedal effort, but very smooth and predictable engagement. Zero chatter after 5,000 miles on clutch. Holds my power levels very well. Cheaper than other options ($430).

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CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ: Stage 2 e-tune (unsure of the exact tq)

 

Flywheel: wrx oem single-mass

 

Chatter experienced?: very bad chatter to where the car is shaking if I start from a stop with anything <2k-rpms

 

How many miles installed for: 10,000 miles and just noticed slipping in 4th & 5th gear when boost builds for passing on the highway.

 

Reason for removal: not removed yet

 

Replaced with: note removed yet

 

Happy with replacement?: I hope I will be

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CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ: 318lbs

 

Flywheel: wrx oem single-mass

 

Chatter experienced?: lasted 5k miles

 

How many miles installed for: 8k miles

 

Reason for removal: slipping 3rd, 4th, 5th and jumping in second

 

Replaced with: spec 2+ going in soon

 

Happy with replacement?: I had one before so I know I will be

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1)

CM Clutch Model: FX300

 

Car TQ: 302

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW

 

Chatter experienced?: NO

 

How many miles installed for:3000 miles

 

Reason for removal:Complete failure with inability to put car into neutral. “Defective Pressure Plate” was final analysis by CM

 

Replaced with: FX350 sent as replacement

 

Happy with replacement?:NO

 

 

2)

CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ: 302

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW - Resurfaced

 

Chatter experienced?: YES, Like an earthquake. Progressively worse over time. All gears. All conditions.

 

How many miles installed for: 5000 miles

 

Reason for removal:Chatter became so severe that bolts, nuts, and screws were being rattled loose. Clutch found to be ‘worn out’ by CM

 

Replaced with: FX200 sent as replacement

 

Happy with replacement?: I think so. However, the clutch pedal has been creeping up over 8000 miles.

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CM Clutch Model: FX300

 

Car TQ: Stage 2

 

Flywheel: OEM WRX SMFW

 

Chatter experienced?: Yes - slight after 3k

 

How many miles installed for: 32k

 

Reason for removal: No more clutch material

 

Replaced with: FX300 - thanks M Sprank for a good deal!

 

Happy with replacement?: So far, so good. ~230 miles into break-in. I have about ~3k on it as of 7/30/2014 and it seems to be holding up better than my last one.

 

 

Original likely failed due to improper break in (not enough city style driving) and riding the clutch for smooth engagement. I was very happy with it initially. I will give it a second chance before judgment.

 

I replaced several components as well for the second attempt: new TSK3 TOB, clutch fork, pivot ball, and added the flywheel cover and bellhousing plastic inspection cover both were missing when I bought the car). Salt spray and water intrusion may have had a role in accelerated wear.

 

Carnage pics

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

CM Clutch Model: fx350

 

Car TQ: 340

 

Flywheel: oem wrx

 

Chatter experienced?: Yes.

 

How many miles installed for:9k

 

Reason for removal: Havent removed yet. But its slipping in 3rd and 4th when wide open. Hopefully I can get new one soon and pull it.

 

Replaced with: looking at the spec2+

 

Happy with replacement?: see above

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CM Clutch Model: FX300

 

Car TQ: unknown (stage2+tmic)

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW

 

Chatter experienced?: Bad in the beginning, fine now.

 

How many miles installed for: 25k

 

Reason for removal: Slipping in 5th gear when passing/accelerating

 

Replaced with: tuner recommends Exedy Stage 1, still weighing options

 

Happy with replacement?: see above

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Add another one to the list :(

 

CM Clutch Model: fx350

 

Car TQ: 260ish

 

Flywheel: 06 WRX

 

Chatter experienced?: Since day one....

 

How many miles installed for: about 10,000

 

Reason for removal: haven't removed yet. But its slipping in all gears and chatter is extremely bad

 

Replaced with: either oem or spec 2

 

Happy with replacement?: hopefully....

 

EDIT: if anyone has any insight on me throwing a 07 LGT oem clutch in there....assuming the factory clutch lasted about 90k, this should do the same. All I have done to the car is headers+up, downpipe. Plan on keeping it stage 2. Anyone think I will be disappointed with the oem clutch with these mods?

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I do. I would never put a oem clutch back in these cars.

 

Spec 2 It should work with your newly re-surfaced FW. Call Mike a www.AZPinstalls.com and tell him what you got and he'll take care of you.

305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD).  CHECK your oil, these cars use it.

 

Engine Build - Click Here

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I do. I would never put a oem clutch back in these cars.

 

Spec 2 It should work with your newly re-surfaced FW. Call Mike a www.AZPinstalls.com and tell him what you got and he'll take care of you.

I've just read a lot of bad things about spec. And not so many about oem replacement. This is the 3rd clutch I'll be putting in in 30k miles...

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HAve you ever tried to back up in 3-4" of heavy snow with a stock clutch. My 00'GT wagon and my 05 would smoke the stock clutch doing that.

 

I have no faith in a OEM clutch.

305,600miles 5/2012 ej257 short block, 8/2011 installed VF52 turbo, @20.8psi, 280whp, 300ftlbs. (SOLD).  CHECK your oil, these cars use it.

 

Engine Build - Click Here

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CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ:330

 

Flywheel:New OEM single mass

 

Chatter experienced?: Massive. From the beginning until about 9500 miles at which point it started to slip in 5th and 6th under boost. Now slipping in 3rd and 4th if not babied. Now that it's dying, its actually manageable from a dead stop.

 

How many miles installed for: Still in at 10,000 but living on borrowed time.

 

Reason for removal: ^^

 

Replaced with: Looking at Southbend stage 3 daily and Spec 3+

 

Happy with replacement?: Advice is always welcome.

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CM Clutch Model: FX350

 

Car TQ:330

 

Flywheel:New OEM single mass

 

Chatter experienced?: Massive. From the beginning until about 9500 miles at which point it started to slip in 5th and 6th under boost. Now slipping in 3rd and 4th if not babied. Now that it's dying, its actually manageable from a dead stop.

 

How many miles installed for: Still in at 10,000 but living on borrowed time.

 

Reason for removal: ^^

 

Replaced with: Looking at Southbend stage 3 daily and Spec 3+

 

Happy with replacement?: Advice is always welcome.

I had the same experience. It doesn't chatter much at all now that it's dying. I'm looking at the stage 3 daily from sb too. Haven't seen many complaints from sb if any. Hopefully I like it.

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CM CLUTCH MODEL: FX300

 

Flywheel:: OEM single mass

 

Chatter experience: Since installed all the way up to now

 

Miles installed for: Around 15k now

 

Reason for removal: Not yet, but I might have to since it blew up completely, I can't even shift thru my gears now at all, and it's weird because sometimes it will let me. It just happened 2 days ago too.

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  • 2 months later...

CM Clutch Model: FX250

 

Car TQ: Under 300lbs.

 

Flywheel: WRX SMFW

 

Chatter experienced?: Yes, only in 1st though.

 

How many miles installed for: 6 months, 20,000km

 

Reason for removal: Starting to slip in 5th at 3,000rpm :spin:

 

Replaced with: Haven't yet, looking at Exedy Stage 1 or SouthBend

 

Happy with replacement?:

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