new spec stage 3 clutch and whining

[chetacheese]

Hey guys i just installed a new clutch on my car with a fidanza lightweight flywheel. and the higher the rpm, the louder it gets. but its this clunking/chattering sound. I had this issue before I replace the clutch but I have no idea whats making this sound. I have searched but nothing seems to be related to my issue. what do you guys think this could be?

[D.Adams]

did you replace the throw out bearing

like this

http://www.streetfire.net/video/throw-out-bearing-noise_17433.htm

[chetacheese]

yes i did replace the throwout bearing. but no it doesnt sound like that. this is an actual chatter in all gears above 3000 rpm. can it be the tranny?

[secondtonone317]

hmmm, let me know what it is when u figure it out

[D.Adams]

did you break in the clutch.

[slider2828]

Record the sound.... we don't have esp to hear what you are hearing....

[chetacheese]

will record soon. no i didnt break it in yet. but i dont think its supposed to sound like this even if it isnt broken in. i replace the slave about a year ago. im gonna try to replace it again just to eliminate that possibility. i had the same issue with my last clutch and i was expecting it to go away when replaced. apparently not.....

[240sxrb25]

my spec stage 3 grabs really hard really fast, but when i happen to let it slip for a few seconds like at a stop light, it will make a kind of whirring friction noise....then i stop haha. not totally sure what it is.

idk if that helps

[chetacheese]

yea I get this friction noise. it sounds as if the the pucks off of the clutch disc is unstable in some sort of way. when you accel, the noise comes on. when i just let off the throttle while in gear, it sounds like maybe the pressure plate isnt holding the disc onto the flywheel. or i keep thinking that somewhere from the driveshaft towards the rear is where the sound is coming from. it just sounds like the clutch. no idea guys. thanks for your help but more is needed! trying to make the touke event this month.

[SoSideways]

I see that you have a KA, and I've worked in the parts slinging biz for awhile.

Exedy has 2 different KA kits IIRC, and they switched them up in the middle of the S14 years IIRC, and the only difference on them were the TOB.

Now, you could have gotten the wrong TOB to begin with for your last clutch, and got the same wrong TOB on this new one too.

What year is your engine/trans? Which kit (PN) did you purchase for your engine?

And yes, SPEC clutches are loud during engagement. Mine had been loud since I bought it, and last I drove it, it still made that noise.

[chetacheese]

thanks a lot. yea i noticed how they have kits for 91-94 and a seperate part number for 89-90. but frsport said that the spec stage 3 sprung for an 89-94. i can get the exact model number if it would tell you more.

[SoSideways]

Well it certainly wouldn't hurt our chances at trying to figure out what's going on with your clutch.

If all else fails, just pick up a new TOB from SPEC or Exedy for your year trans and see if it goes away... but that's after we figure out if you even have the wrong TOB to begin with.

I don't know if your trans is the one that came on the car, and thus you being able to find out the exact year it was made or not, as that is the most important thing when it comes to the TOB for the KA.

[secondtonone317]

I'm having the same noise problem with my spec stage 3 on my 1998 s14, I was telling my mechanic to leave the old TOB but he put the new one in might just have to change it again and get an OEM nissan TOB. What year is your 240 tranny?

[SoSideways]

You asking me?

[secondtonone317]

^ I guess

I mean I was asking whoever was having the TOB issue.

[SoSideways]

I have an SR and I don't believe I have a TOB issue.

So you're asking OP then.

[Dream240]

Hey OP,

I ran a Spec stage 2 with my Fidanza for about 2 years, and right from the get go I got alot of drivetrain noise. Didn't matter what TOB, oil brand, OEM driveshaft vs Aluminum, or new bushings I put in... the noise never went away.

Then I switched to an Exedy clutch kit and surprise, noise was still there. New TOB, pilot, etc.

It's a problem with your tranny. Prolly the main front bearing is worn out. You commented that you had the noise beofre the clutch went in, but what happens is the Fidanza flywheel makes the noise more pronounced. And then when you throw in a short shifter, nismo tranny mount and various other upgrades, you are eliminating the OEM noise reducers so that what was a minor noise before, becomes an annoying sound that won't go away.

My advice would be to look into replacing your tranny front main bearing and re-check the spacers for both tranny shafts to help eliminate the excess vibration and further wear-n-tear.

Good luck.

[codyace]

It's a problem with your tranny. Prolly the main front bearing is worn out. You commented that you had the noise beofre the clutch went in, but what happens is the Fidanza flywheel makes the noise more pronounced. And then when you throw in a short shifter, nismo tranny mount and various other upgrades, you are eliminating the OEM noise reducers so that what was a minor noise before, becomes an annoying sound that won't go away.

Most certainly. The main shaft bearing causes 85% of all noise in these similar issues. I've dealt with 3 locally that all had the same issue. Crazy how it was the same part everytime. (2 sr transmissions, and one KA backhalf)

[chetacheese]

sounds horrible. the spec clutch is brand new so throw out is brand new. the model number is SN543. before i had a stage one pressure plate with a 6 puck unsprung disc(dont ask why, it was a recommendation of the disc change and didnt have money for a pressure plate). it worked well for the drift event that i went to. after the event and so much clutch kicking at the track, my clutch wasnt disengaging. let go the clutch and wouldnt go anywhere. so i adjusted the pedal, then it worked ok. a lot of noise. which brings me back to the throwout bearing i had before, it was bad. i thought that would be the issue for that. now new clutch and probably louder. ive searched and read that other people from 04 has had the same issue with my set up. (fidanza light weight flywheel + spec stage 3 sprung 6 puck) they said any puck would make some type of chatter noise until you go with an organic disc.< can anyone verify this from experience or knowledge? the tranny is from a 91. i have a 92. maybe i messed up my tranny from that event.

[chetacheese]

so the noise comes more from throttle. the more i gas, the louder it gets. and as i was driving on the freeway, i noticed that once i let off the gas pedal, i can just pop the shifter out of gear. this isnt normal right?

[chetacheese]

pictures for you guys. i pulled my tranny tonight and noticed that there is shaft play. does that explain the noise?in every gear it made a vibration and horrible sound and chatter?


but these pictures here are for my question. are the fins supposed to be that flat? i thought it was suppose to protrude a bit and the inside of the fins are supposed to facing out. what can you guys tell me? the clutch only has about 20 miles on it.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/skatergtr/DSC_1232.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/skatergtr/DSC_1233.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/skatergtr/DSC_1234.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/skatergtr/DSC_1230.jpg

[Dream240]

What I want to know, is how you got the blue pressure plate paint on the fins where the throw out bearing goes? Strange.

Also, the fins should protrude when the assembly is apart. Once you bolt it down, the friction disc puts some pressure on the fins.

Also I'm thinking you need to re-adjust your clutch pedal engagement. Sounds like your pedal is keeping the throw out bearing too tight against the fins, which is why you are able to slip it out of gear while driving. Try backing off the clutch pedal so that you get about 1/2" of free play. Then drive it and see what happens.

[chetacheese]

ok ill try that. i also swapped my transmission with a new one(a different used one at least) and still having the same issues. it chatters and sounds like theres a bolt inside the transmission. and when in neutral, but still in motion, the noise gets softer but its more of a solid chatter now.

[chetacheese]

oh and the blue paint was the first coat of paint from spec. then they sprayed the fins grey. so when the throwout bearing comes in contact with the fins. my logic tells me it scratches off the paint.

[chetacheese]

UPDATE: so it wasnt anything with the clutch. i tried rotating the driveshaft like some people say for vibration. didnt change and i lifted my car up and put it in first gear and ran underneath the car(sounds dangerous but all precautions were considered) and it came from the vlsd. my vlsd went bad. had clunking and as i shook the vlsd after removing it, it sounded like a gear fell off or something. now my welded diff is on, and the clutch is quiet like its supposed to. so mods, you can close this thread! problem fixed, thanks for all your help guys.