Why act sucks...(pics)

Alright, as you guys know i had a problem with my clutch/trans. Well i got my trans out today. Well one of the fucking springs broke out of the clutch!!! I've heard of this happening on dsmtuners. It was a 2600lb clutch set with less than 10k on it. This is why name brand aren't alway the best route...people say to buy a known brand, but this kind of shit happens. Moral of the story don't buy act!!!
BTW anyone know of another good clutch to buy? I'm thinking centerorce, or maybe slow boy's.
Uh oh something's missing!
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/190/clutchbroked0017sf.th.jpg (http://img162.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clutchbroked0017sf.jpg)
A little jb weld should do!!!
http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/9227/clutchbroked0023tw.th.jpg (http://img162.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clutchbroked0023tw.jpg)

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/48/clutchbroked0032na.th.jpg (http://img162.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clutchbroked0032na.jpg)
ssure re
http://img493.imageshack.us/img493/4392/clutchbroked0049ev.th.jpg (http://img493.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clutchbroked0049ev.jpg)

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/4135/clutchbroked0056sz.th.jpg (http://img213.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clutchbroked0056sz.jpg)
Look at the other springs!! They are all fucked up...
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/1237/clutchbroked0061fy.th.jpg (http://img516.imageshack.us/my.php?image=clutchbroked0061fy.jpg)

Luckily my flywheel and pressure plate were undamaged, or worse yet my entire trans could have been fucked.

centerforce is awesome and I know some people who have had luck with spec.

Lol, thats what happens when you dropp the clutch alot:wink: My friend had a clutchmaster stage 4 and blew it up in 5+ pieces. Next clutch I'm buying is a SBR 3900

Did you read the end of that thread on tuners? The reason those springs pop out is because the installer forgets to re-insert those dowels that line up the tranny/engine. It's not ACT's problem at all, did you install the clutch? It's easy to forget about those dowels because the tranny will line up perfectly with just the bolts, but over time lateral pressure forces it to misalign, and pop goes the spring. Most likely that's what happened.

Did you read the end of that thread on tuners? The reason those springs pop out is because the installer forgets to re-insert those dowels that line up the tranny/engine. It's not ACT's problem at all, did you install the clutch? It's easy to forget about those dowels because the tranny will line up perfectly with just the bolts, but over time lateral pressure forces it to misalign, and pop goes the spring. Most likely that's what happened.
I'm not sure what you mean because the purpose of those springs is to absorb the inatial shock of engagement so I dont see how that has anything to do with the tranny not being perfectly aligned unless you meanit actually twists the clutch disk.

No the dowels were in, i don't see how that would really cause the springs to pop out, wouldn't this be a problem with all clutches then?

Are you 100% sure the dowels were in? You saw them with your own eyes? I'm not trying to discredit you I just want to make sure. If you haven't already, check out the rest of that thread, they explain it better.

there is seriously only a few things that would cause those springs to pop out, dropping the clutch, putting the clutch disk in back wards could cause it, old clutch, or it being misaligned

Try getting an Exedy Organic Racing clutch

Anyone hear anything about the sbr 4000? Claims to have lepp pedel pressure than a 2600 and almost double the clamping force.

I read that entire thread and it sounds like act tried to bs people to place the responsibility on the installer. My pins were in (even if they weren't i still don't see how this would cause a problem). I'm ordering a new clutch tomorrow. Also did you read the end of the thread? Maybe you need to re-read it only one person was defending act and many people said their pins were still in and the clutch still failed.

not trying to offend, but again, did you personally see those dowels in? It's really easy to forget them

not trying to offend, but again, did you personally see those dowels in? It's really easy to forget them
They are in for sure. I didn't do the clutch install (came on car) but they are on now. I have never heard of other clutches breaking in this manner, I question the claim made by act because they don't warranty against faulty installation. Not only do they break but the only offer a discounted replacement 1/3 off which means the still make some money on it. I'm not buying another act clutch and i just wanted to warn anybody planning on buying one.

I got less than 1k miles on my 2100. The top DSM'er in my area and I installed it, we talked about the dowel issue. He's installed ACT's in over 20 DSM's, and never had a clutch failure. He did tell me it's entirely possible without those dowels the springs could pop out. I believe it was lateral stress though, don't remember the exact specifics. Hopefully it will last, because we broke a engine/tranny bolt inside the engine side, and next time the clutch gets replaced, so does the engine.

That thread on tuners is still going. More people have posted their busted clutches. And someone from The Speed Shop posted that they had problems with the ACT clutches breaking on cars they installed them on. When they went to ACT about it they told the shop they didn't know how to install a clutch! That's just sad on ACT's part. There's over 200 people in that poll that reported their clutch breaking. http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133330

Ez1286, sorry about your clutch. I would file a complaint with the BBB. Here's the form: http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Co...D=13118716&sm=
And here's where ACT is listed with them: http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Bu...yID=131187 16

I'd also write a review at dsmreviews to help fellow dsmers not have the same problems. http://www.dsmreviews.com/index2.php3

pr_ricer, I have heard good things about the sbr clutches. Thats what my DSM will be getting.

unfortunetley, I'm forced to get another act disk. I called a couple shops around me and both (automotosports.com, devotuning.com) said only another act clutch would work with the act pressure plate. I don't really have the money to get another clutch kit at this time so maybe I'll be doing another clutch when i build this motor (possibly over the summer)

I just got back from getting my new clutch, I went to devotuning, wow! they had some sweet cars there!! They had and evo II and III several VIII's a bunch of 1 and 2g's. Got the clutch for $137 which was a little lower than some places, I also got a new thow out bearing. But best of all, I'm standing there waiting and i see some 2gb headlights sitting on a shelf i asked how much, $55!! needless to say now i have the headlights for the conversion!!!!

Good score

But they didn't have any turbos for sale which made me sad... good place, anyone in Northern IL or South wisconsin should look them up

But they didn't have any turbos for sale which made me sad... good place, anyone in Northern IL or South wisconsin should look them up
Yeah thats true, devotuning.com they got the clutch same day, and had the throw out bearing in stock (oem all the way) AND they are like 20 minutes from my house without traffic :wink: (even closer than ams!!!)

Sorry about your luck...My car has an ACT 2100 in it right now (the hardtop) and it works perfectly fine and grips like a monster. I have a Centerforce in the Spyder and liked it too. The best clutch I've ever experienced though was a RAM clutch from Summit. Cost me around $179 for the disc, plate, alignment tool and t/o bearing. I had it in the Spyder for a good amount of time when my 1st CF broke, and that RAM took everything i could throw at it and never once gave me a problem. I literally had over 100 launches on it and it was STILL going strong when i replaced it with another CF. Only reason I replaced the clutch again was because my tranny blew a hole in the bellhousing and started leaking gear lube everywhere.