From bad to worse- endless repairs!

[kevin-design]

Okay, so I bought a new clutch and found that I can't resurface my dual mass flywheel.

Returned that clutch, bought a single mass flywheel and clutch kit from Spec clutches (recommended on this forum).

Picked up my car yesterday- turned around and drove it right back to the mechanic after hearing this rattling noise in every gear.

Today, three mechanics drove it around and they took it to a transmission specialist. The story I'm getting is that there is something internally wrong with the 6 speed trans I have (maybe a loose gear?) and has nothing to do with the clutch.

It was running fine (except for the seriously slipping clutch of course) when I drove in. Now it sounds like a rattletrap everywhere I go. Also, halfway home I'm pretty sure I smelled burning clutch (I was giving it a bit of a workout).

It's a little hard to compare the before and after since it drives differently with the SMF (revs faster, snappier engagement- the expected features of such a flywheel). But there is definately something weird going on.

Maybe this is one of those things that need to wear in (they recommend 450 miles break in), or of mechanical components getting used to new/different parts- but I don't know who to blame. All I know is what I wrote above, and I haven't had an opportunity to talk with a transmission repair shop myself yet.

I was planning to attend my first mid america corvette funfest in Effingham tomorrow (its only an hour or two away). I guess I'll try driving it there and see what shakes loose (or falls out?!). I was thinking that if I knew what part to look for then it would be a good opportunity to pick that part up at the show. So what part should I be looking for?!?

Any advice welcome! And if you're going to the funfest tomorrow and are very knowlegeable about this stuff, let me know and you can drive for yourself. I just bought this car! I only have so much money to pour into it! help!!!

Thanks!
-Kevin

[69MyWay]

Kevin,

It is NORMAL. Really. The single mass conversion is terribly loud and clanky.

Here is the $20,000 question.

Does it get quiet when you press the clutch pedal in? If so, you have a normal noisy single mass conversion.

My 90 was so loud it sounded like a rod was loose, and in the upper gears (especially 6th) at low speeds you could really hear the drivetrain grind/rattle of the trans.

TPIS sold me my conversion. In HUGE red print, they advised this is a NOISY conversion.

I disagree on the "you can't turn the dual mass" statement. I say this only because I was told the same thing...and have advised others that is what the GM manual says. However, I had ours surfaced on the 89 six speed and it worked PERFECT. The guy at the trans shop did not ask any questions or give me any lip. He chucked it up, shaved it down and handed me a bill.

I say go have a great time at the funfest, and just turn the radio up a bit louder, or get some real free flowing noisy mufflers.

[kevin-design]

In another pre-clutch installation thread, I was advised to call Spec clutches and get set up with a SMF. Most guys seemed to describe the noise as minor if it was there at all. Also, I expected to hear maybe a little noise in neutral when the clutch was out. But not while the clutch is engaged on acceleration. The vibrations can be felt through the shift knob and heard easily.

Does the noise stop when I push in the clutch? I think so- I just drove it today so I can't remember for sure, I'm going to go drive a bit after this post to make sure thats correct. But the noise seems to happen most during acceleration. I think it would also stop if I released the gas pedal.

BTW- its a steel SMF- I thought the issues were mostly regarding Aluminum SMF's

[Ken]

I hope they have the disk installed properly, that is, with the correct sides facing the flywheel and pressure plate respectively. It has happened before, to more than one mechanic. (I was going to use the word "capable" mechanic but... )

[69MyWay]

Well, it is a noisy combo.

The guy that bought my car is thinking about putting the dual mass back in, just because he is tired of the clunk, knock, clank, bang...rattle that comes out of there.

In fact, he is most likely going to have to pull the trans anyway, because for several weeks straight he was riding the clutch at drive thrus, stop lights..etc, to avoid the loudest of the noise, and now the throwout bearing is making noise.

I told him to lay off the clutch unless he needs it, as that will kill any clutch since the throwout bearing is not oiled from a fresh recycled oil source like an engine bearing.

Yes, mine was noisy all the time with the exception of the clutch being pushed in.

It gets louder the hotter the oil gets in the trans as well.

Anybody that did this conversion and said they did not notice a big noise difference was either deaf or running open headers.