LSD or Clutch

[AuburnMSPfreak]

Aight well here's the ordeal, it seems as if my clutch isn't grabbing very well, but the more i read, it seems like it might be my LSD. I have already replaced the clutch and the LSD once, i don't wanna have to do it again, the lsd is ovbiously covered under warranty for another 2 months or so. lets say there's 8 inches from the floor to full engagement. it only catches in the last 3 inches or so. and if i get on it, when i shift to 2nd from high RPM's it kinda hesitates to grab, it takes a second to fully engage even though i have the pedal all the way out and the gas to the floor. I really wanted to start buying stuff for the MSP but now that this is back again i don't think i can afford it. If it's tha clutch, what would you recommend on aftermarket? i heard that spec has lost some of their quality in the last year or two and that ACT is the best but ACT is signifigantly more expensive. What do you guys think? LSD or clutch? I'm headed to the dealership right now to get everything checked out so i'll let you guys know what they say, PLEASE HELP A BROTHER OUT!

 

[anarchistchiken]

If I remember correctly, when the LSD goes out, you lose all power, so that car doesn't move at all, so I would guess clutch.

 

[MSP #167]

yea its not the lsd, i would go with something like a spec stage 2 clutch if you plan on doing any kind of mods, if not look for an excedy clutch.

 

[anarchistchiken]

Sounds like you definately need at least a stage 2 clutch if you've already gone through 2 mazdaspeed ones.

 

[AuburnMSPfreak]

aight, so i just got back from mazda, the tech said that it feels fine, and that it just feels like it has 17k miles on it, which it does. He said not to worry about it. "It's just average wear on the pressure plate." So now i can complete my 250whp quest! yay.... and btw i was gearing towards getting a spec stage 2 a while back but when i heard that they were slacking off on their products i kinda backed off on it.

 

[ChopstickHero]

aight, so i just got back from mazda, the tech said that it feels fine, and that it just feels like it has 17k miles on it, which it does. He said not to worry about it. "It's just average wear on the pressure plate."

that's what they always say.

 

[anarchistchiken]

Yeah if you're thinking it's giving out, then get someone you know with a protege to drive it and see if it feels normal or not.

 

[Matrix]

anarchistchiken - great advice.


This may seem like a dumb question, but are you by any chance still driving on the stock tires? When mine started giving out, accelleration from a stop would sometimes skip and hop. Initially I thought this felt similar to clutch slippage or something.

But then again, I might just be stoopid.

 

[tiwing]

anarchistchiken - great advice.


This may seem like a dumb question, but are you by any chance still driving on the stock tires? When mine started giving out, accelleration from a stop would sometimes skip and hop. Initially I thought this felt similar to clutch slippage or something.

But then again, I might just be stoopid.

same thing here on the stock potenzas when they were almost gone. just kind of slipped, no squeal or hop or shudder. Same kind of feeling with winter tires & dry roads after a snow & they've been salted. ...

 

[TX Speed Demon]

Yeah stay away fromt eh Spec Clutches. look over LinuxRacr's thread about his clutch. Only had it about a year and wore it all the way down to the bare metal. I'd go with the Exedy clutch. http://www.*************.com/mazdaspeed5.htm

 

[AuburnMSPfreak]

Well i am definately putting some money aside so that in case it does go out i can fix it. I have alot of money in a savings acount i just want to save it for when i need to buy my girl and engagement ring. they ain't cheap ya know! I talked to a local guy at a transmission shop and he only quoted like 275 for labor if i provided the parts. does that sound low? mazda charged 500

 

[Matrix]

i just want to save it for when i need to buy my girl and engagement ring. they ain't cheap ya know! I talked to a local guy at a transmission shop and he only quoted like 275 for labor if i provided the parts. does that sound low? mazda charged 500

You got a quote for an engagement ring from a local guy at a transmission shop and Mazda? What the heck was the labor for?!



(poke)

 

[AuburnMSPfreak]

You got a quote for an engagement ring from a local guy at a transmission shop and Mazda? What the heck was the labor for?!

Sorry, i was in a hurry when i typed that.... i meant, i got a qoute for putting a clutch in the MSP and he said 275 if i provided the parts. i was saying that it kinda seemed low for labor on our cars. From what i hear, its a PITA to put a clutch in. i would do it myself but i quit my job so i could focus on school so now i have no access to a shop, lift, anything.... The reason i said 275 seemed low is because mazda charged me like 500 or 550 the first time around. the total bill was 907 and some change. what you guys think?

 

[POSEIDON]

do both at the same time..save your money instead of paying double for install.

 

[AuburnMSPfreak]

do both at the same time..save your money instead of paying double for install.

both what? i would only need a clutch and i definately don't have 1500 for a quaif lsd so what do you mean both?

 

[Matrix]

Sorry, i was in a hurry when i typed that.... i meant, i got a qoute for putting a clutch in the MSP and he said 275 if i provided the parts. i was saying that it kinda seemed low for labor on our cars. From what i hear, its a PITA to put a clutch in. i would do it myself but i quit my job so i could focus on school so now i have no access to a shop, lift, anything.... The reason i said 275 seemed low is because mazda charged me like 500 or 550 the first time around. the total bill was 907 and some change. what you guys think?

I know, I was just giving you a hard time, lol.

From what I've seen, it's not that difficult. A friend of mine did an install on an 89 ProbeGT (2.2L turbo) right in front of me. It only took him like 20-25 minutes. Maybe the MSP trannies are more complicated, but the procedure can't be all that different. So if you figure parts (clutch + pressure plate) are around $275, your local guy's labor charge sounds about right.

 

[MrDiggler]

I know, I was just giving you a hard time, lol.

From what I've seen, it's not that difficult. A friend of mine did an install on an 89 ProbeGT (2.2L turbo) right in front of me. It only took him like 20-25 minutes. Maybe the MSP trannies are more complicated, but the procedure can't be all that different. So if you figure parts (clutch + pressure plate) are around $275, your local guy's labor charge sounds about right.

20-25 minutes? OMG, maybe just for the clutch part, with everything else out of the way. My tranny/clutch swap turned into a several day ordeal, in part because several nuts wouldn't break loose even with 1200+ lb/ft of torque. They had to be drilled or cut off, with new ones ordered from the dealer. Unless you've done this once or twice and are sure it will all be smooth sailing...for $275 I'd let someone else do it in a heartbeat!!!

BTW, there's a member who goes by Topher that's in the Warm Springs/Columbus Georgia area. Not terribly far from you. He has a P5 and his wife has an MP3. I've met him and he seemed to be super nice and quite knowledgeable. Look him up and see if you could meet him and let him check it out.

 

[POSEIDON]

both as in buy a clutch and a lsd at the same time.

if you must choose, I'd say clutch.

 

[Matrix]

20-25 minutes? OMG, maybe just for the clutch part, with everything else out of the way.

I kid you not. He put the car up on ramps, and got under the car with a pice of wood on his chest. He unbolted the tranny and lowered it onto his chest. Then he rolled out, took off the old pressure plate + clutch plate, put on the new ones, then put the tranny back on his chest, rolled back under the car, and just popped the tranny back in. One of the nuttiest things I've ever seen. (boom07)