ACT Clutch engagement squeek & pedal stiffness!

[RAAZ227]

If anyone here has a ACT clutch and has noticed a "squeek" upon engaging the clutch, I learned something new last night from MazdaManiac.

Squeek: I always thought there was something wrong with the clutch. I found out that the squeek is comon for ACT clutches. So if you got that problem it is nothing big. It is the Pilot bearing and the Input shaft alignment that causes the squeek. Has nothing to do with the Throw out bearing, which is what I thought!

Pedal Stiffness: I also noticed with my ACT that some days the clutch would be really soft, and grab real high on the pedal. It just seemed to vary everyday, but the clutch was grabing like it should. Well I also found out that it is a normal issue. The suspected reason for this perticular problem is 1) The slave cylinder is so close to the exhaust mani, and acually causes the fluid to boil (blackish / brown fluid is a sign of brake fluid that has boiled). 2) Plastic components in the master cylinder. Where the acuator rod meets the master cylinder.

This comes from someone that had the same issues with a Miata.

Thanks....Jeff!

 

[Brian MP5T]

If anyone here has a ACT clutch and has noticed a "squeek" upon engaging the clutch, I learned something new last night from MazdaManiac.

Thanks....Jeff!

Thats great, I was noticing the same thing. I thought it was paranoia. Like when you think the car is doing something wrong but it's just the road grooves.

(bowdown) (canada)

 

[Familia323]

so if its boiling fluid isnt that a bad thing??? and did he tell you of any way to help/fix it?

 

[mazdadan]

Yeah, the act clutch I had in my '91 RX-7 did the same thing. I even replaced the entire clutch hydraulic system with DOT 5 silicone fluid and it didn't make things much better.

 

[RAAZ227]

so if its boiling fluid isnt that a bad thing??? and did he tell you of any way to help/fix it?

It seems to not be a problem. He was saying that he used to bleed a pint of fluid ever other month or so. I have done the same and it helps.

Yeah, the act clutch I had in my '91 RX-7 did the same thing. I even replaced the entire clutch hydraulic system with DOT 5 silicone fluid and it didn't make things much better.

They say with the Protege systems not to use DOT 5 because of the plastic components in the master cylinder. It causes the seal to shrink and not return back to it's original size. He will have to elaborate on that.

 

[Familia323]

thats a b**** though.... just cause you get an aftermarket clutch you have to bleed your damn lines every once in a while.... Is this just ACT or is it every aftermarket clutch?

 

[mazdadan]

They say with the Protege systems not to use DOT 5 because of the plastic components in the master cylinder. It causes the seal to shrink and not return back to it's original size. He will have to elaborate on that.

That makes sense, because the Protege has a shared system. The reservoir is shared with the Brakes and Clutch. I would be curious as to the deal with the plastic parts though. I never had issues with DOT5 in my RX-7's. You have to flush the entire system with alcohol before you use DOT5 though, because it's not compatible with DOT3 or DOT4.

 

[RAAZ227]

thats a b**** though.... just cause you get an aftermarket clutch you have to bleed your damn lines every once in a while.... Is this just ACT or is it every aftermarket clutch?

I mean I think it is more of a quick fix. I haven't done mine in a long time and there hasn't been any major changes in the performance of the clutch. I havn't had any other experience with other clutches for the mazda. I know with my Hondas I never had this problem

 

[RAAZ227]

That makes sense, because the Protege has a shared system. The reservoir is shared with the Brakes and Clutch. I would be curious as to the deal with the plastic parts though. I never had issues with DOT5 in my RX-7's. You have to flush the entire system with alcohol before you use DOT5 though, because it's not compatible with DOT3 or DOT4.

It has something to do with the Accuator Rod that is connected to the clutch pedal. The enters the master cylinder through a sleeve. The rod has some kind a plastic gromet on that seals it. Something along those lines.

 

[Familia323]

which clutch are you running? and do you think it will cause any long term negative effects?

 

[RAAZ227]

which clutch are you running? and do you think it will cause any long term negative effects?

ACT 6 puck. I was told that this won't cause any negative affects at all. It just souds like it is.

 

[2K3 MSP]

I havn't had any other experience with other clutches for the mazda. I know with my Hondas I never had this problem

I had an ACT clutch in my '93 Civic, and it made the same squeaking sound. I didn't know it was common, but I took it that way since I had it professionally installed. I hope it is just the ACT clutches though. I want to get one for my MSP, but don't want to get that sound back...It's quite annoying...

 

[RAAZ227]

I had an ACT clutch in my '93 Civic, and it made the same squeaking sound. I didn't know it was common, but I took it that way since I had it professionally installed. I hope it is just the ACT clutches though. I want to get one for my MSP, but don't want to get that sound back...It's quite annoying...

Mine only does it when the tranny is cold. I had a 4 puck cluch master in my Civic and it never did that. It is a standard ACT thing. The don't use stock Mazda Pilot and Throw out bearings.

 

[Familia323]

ok cool... well as long as no harm is done...... Thanks for the info.. It will come in handy when I get an ACT clutch..

 

[RAAZ227]

Yeah sure... I haven't had any problems. I have had the clutch since June!