SPEC Clutches - any problems?

[risc427]

Anyone around here with a SPEC clutch having problems? (specifically the stg. II)

I was forwarded a list of posts from Audiworld, all about a rash of recent problems with SPEC clutches.

If anyone could share their experiences that would be great. I have a SPEC stg II on order and would like to know if I need to walk away.

[bitterchild]

I have one sitting in the corner and would like to know as well

[BoostinA4]

i would also like to know i was going to order one friday, how are they guys? and should i order a lightened flywheel or get the stock one resurfaced???

[Burntaudi]

Yep here http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ht=spec+clutch

Iv'e heard of them sending wrong parts alot too.

I would recommend these guys instead www.southbendclutch.com I think this is what AWE sells also.

[Zodiak]

yeah I've got a SPEC stage II clutch w/ their 10lbs flywheel. It holds well, I drive the car in heavy DC rush-hour traffic and when I've at school, I drive it through the backroads of Maine.

Anyway, I've got 10k miles on it. My only problem is that when the flywheel gets hot, it will give out a mechanical squeel during certain points of clutch engagement. It took me a week or so to teach myself how to launch it without the squeel, now I only hear it if i'm stuck in stop'n'go traffic for +30 min.
Anyway, the problem has to do with the stage II clutch being unspring. It does not work well with a lightweight flywheel. If you go with a stage 2 clutch, stick with the stock flywheel. if you want a LWFW, get a stage 3 clutch.

Also, the amount of trouble you have from your clutch may also have to do with how it was broken in. stay under 4k rpm for the first 700miles and don't rev match to ensure proper bedding

[Devious27t]

Originally posted by BoostinA4
i would also like to know i was going to order one friday, how are they guys? and should i order a lightened flywheel or get the stock one resurfaced???

boostin, well talk on aim about something better. stay away from spec. there has been a great deal of discussion in recents weeks on AW about spec clutches and it has not been good. people i know who have them would never recommend them to anyone.

[EVIL-AUDI]

Nothing bad to say yet about it. I have a stage 3 with no issues.

[Daft]

I recently installed a Spec Clutch and a LWFW. The setup makes a loud ticking noise all the time. Sounds like a diesel VW rabbit..

After alot of calling and searching, I found that the noise is related to the flywheel and not the clutch itself. Plus, the LWFW shifted my torque curve much higher now. I have almost no power below 3K rpms. In 2nd gear I can accelerate somewhat in that range but in 3rd (my usual coasting gear) I have to downshift to make enough power for hills.

Moral of the story.....Stay away from the LWFW.

[EVIL-AUDI]

Had no idea your problem was that bad

[risc427]

Damn...I'm still on the fence about this. All the problems described in this thread seem to be due to the LWFW which I'm not getting anyway.

As for the link that was posted, I don't know...it seems to me the person before him did not break the clutch in properly.

There is a whole slew of posts about SPEC problems on Audiworld all within the last week or so. However, 95% of the complaints have been from S4 owners, so I'm not sure how this affects A4 guys.

[Daft]

Originally posted by EVIL-AUDI
Had no idea your problem was that bad

It sucks badly. I wish I had never bought that FW.

[bitterchild]

Anyone got the pilot bearing tool and know where I can get a bearing? Now I understand why I got such a good deal on a stage 2 w/ lwfw

[98a4]

Originally posted by turbo90awd
It sucks badly. I wish I had never bought that FW.

Which LWFW did you buy?

[Daft]

Originally posted by bitterchild
Anyone got the pilot bearing tool and know where I can get a bearing? Now I understand why I got such a good deal on a stage 2 w/ lwfw

The pilot bearing is $8 from ECS. The tool looks like this:



I used my friend's bearing puller to do my pilot bearing. ZDMAK sells the tool for $43:

www.zdmak.com

Item Number: P1088X

[Daft]

Originally posted by 98a4
Which LWFW did you buy?

It's the flywheel that AWE-tuning sells.

The flywheel is stamped with the Aasco Motorsports name on it backside. However, it actually made for Aasco Motorsports by Unorthodox Racing.

So, AWE, Aasco and UR all sell the same part. Spec sells a LWFW too but, I have no idea who actually makes it. Nonetheless, it should have the same effect as the one I used.

[98a4]

Originally posted by turbo90awd
It's the flywheel that AWE-tuning sells.

The flywheel is stamped with the Aasco Motorsports name on it backside. However, it actually made for Aasco Motorsports by Unorthodox Racing.

So, AWE, Aasco and UR all sell the same part. Spec sells a LWFW too but, I have no idea who actually makes it. Nonetheless, it should have the same effect as the one I used.

Damn...the 12lb one... I was just wondering if you had a 9lb one and mabye that was causing the problem...apparently not. Thank you for the warning, I was seriously looking into that exact kit...but this is my daily driver so I'll keep the dual mass

[Devious27t]

Originally posted by 98a4
Damn...the 12lb one... I was just wondering if you had a 9lb one and mabye that was causing the problem...apparently not. Thank you for the warning, I was seriously looking into that exact kit...but this is my daily driver so I'll keep the dual mass

i have the same 12lb flywheel and dont have any problems with it.

[Saturnine]

Im glad im keeping my FW when i upgrade my clutch

[BoostinA4]

ok you guys talked me outta buying the lightened flywheel, so i want a pretty decent clutch that can handle my k04 what clutch should i get that will hurt my neck when i launch?????

ive been searching for a clutch for like a week now....this sucks...help me out guys

[Saturnine]

Im prolly gonna get the Stg 1 spec clutch for my Ko4 B6.. I really want an organtic clutch, and not kevlar..

[BoostinA4]

whats the diffrence between organic and kevlar???

[Devious27t]

Originally posted by BoostinA4
whats the diffrence between organic and kevlar???

they are a little more forgiving but generally last longer iirc. other than that i dunno.

[BoostinA4]

iirc?

[G-low]

My only problem is that when the flywheel gets hot, it will give out a mechanical squeel during certain points of clutch engagement.

my car will do the same thing when im in traffic (on/off the clutch, or riding it out too slow) the thing is my clutch/FW are stock. man the first timei herd that noise it scared me. its sounds real bad is it happening because my clutch is on its way out?? should i be looking for a new clutch/FW??