CamdLs1

iTrader: (2)

Installed a spec stage 3+ w/ a new slave and put the shim in. Just put in a freshly built tranny by T56rebuilds.com also. The tranny is very hard to shift and the clutch engagement is right off the floor. Turns out the clutch doesn't actually disengage fully. The car actually moves if I put it in first with the clutch in. We thought that it was a bleeding problem but we bled it again, several times and still nothing.

Called spec and they told me that I need another shim, and that with new trannys they will shave off the face a little causing this.

Has anyone else had this problem before. Is anyone out there using 2 shims. Thanks

M3EATER

Well, when I did my A4 - M6 swap, I used the (then pretty new) Spec stage-3. I won't tell you my issues with the clutch overall, but I did have problems with disengagement, not as severe as yours. At that time... Spec just said .... "didn't happen here". There were no shims or any talk of shims by ANYBODY.

Well, when the Spec clutch broke, I installed a RAM. This set-up is doing just as you described. The install was last year and there was still no mention of shimming the slave cylinder (as I find a lot of discussion on now). Before doing any internet research, my thoughts were that the slave needed to be shimmed closer to the PP.

Soooooo........ Out comes the trans and I'll experiment with slave cylinder shims. This places the slave closer to the pressure plate so that it does not have to move so far to release the plate.

Apparently Spec now sells shims that mount between the trans face and the slave's base and Ram sells shim rings that go on the slave's sleeve, behind the throw-out bearing.

2001blackta

I had the same problem with my center force clutch.Some one recommended that I install adustable master cylinder.With the adustable master cylinder the problem is done.Good luck

AINT SKEERED

iTrader: (2)

My spec 3+ is doing the same thing and Spec told me that you have to really break this clutch in as it is thicker then the stg 3 and once it is broken in then it should shift better. I have a fresh rebuild as well from Futral and I do know it is not in the tranny as the thing shifts great just sitting with the clutch pushed in at Idle.
yOu can tell that the clutch drags as it takes a second and then it just falls right into gear

CW00BlackTA

iTrader: (31)

If you are talking about the first time or two driving the car, I would say it's normal. I've installed two Spec III clutches and both started out as you describe until they were driven a short distance. It's that first drive that knocks off the high spots. After that, it should disengage completely though.

AINT SKEERED

iTrader: (2)

Now that there are a few miles on the car, its time to start launching it harder. If it still is not shifting right, it is coming out.

AINT SKEERED

iTrader: (2)

I am now a beleiver that these clutches need a good long break in period. I have driven my car easy for 350 miles and in those miles on the highway I would just keep pushing the clutch in and letting it out to help simulate city driving. The car is much easier to drive so I decided to try to speed shift the car and it still is getting better but it is 100 times better then when I first put it in.
I figure in another 100 miles or so it will be finished . I will have to readjust the peddle as I know it has changed also since it is broke in.

steve-d

iTrader: (7)

Never heard of this before. Shaving off the face of the Trans? Even if this were true, wouldn't it result in the entire trans and slave being closer to the clutch and PP? Wouldn't that make the motion of the Slave that much more "effective" in disengaging the clutch? I'm not following the suggestion from Spec.

Steve

BADSZ28

iTrader: (39)

My kit came with two shims. Should I install both?

steve-d

iTrader: (7)

I called Spec and they indicated only one shim was required. But the number of shims may be clutch specific depending on the model one buys. Does anyone know? Or possibly it was an oversight to include two. What do your instructions indicate?

Steve

CamdLs1

iTrader: (2)

Ive driven the car 250 city miles and it has gotten progressively worse from day one. I guess I will be putting in the second shim. Can't think of anything else to do, could get an adjustable master but thats like 400 bucks. The extra shim is 20 bucks, I think I'll try that first.

turbo 408

I had the same problem with the release it was my master cylinder so I went with the ram and it broke then I went with the mcloud and i never had any more problems.

AINT SKEERED

iTrader: (2)

I have a mcloud master cyl. I can tell already that the peddle has dropped. I would not put another shim in, just get an adjustable m/c .
It is shifting better though, almost like I like it.

cantdrv65

iTrader: (3)

I have the Mccloud adjustable master with my 3+, never had any shifting problems though.... G-Force did the install so I really dont have a clue if they used shims or not. I would guess they didnt have to with the adjustable master.

BADSZ28

iTrader: (39)

Turns out I only had one shim. Directins? HA!. What directions? They say to follow GM's. Clutch is in and have what seems like the same problem. Seems to be reducing. Only have about 20 miles on it so far. I hope it gets better. I do not want to have to pull the trans or do a M/C.

AINT SKEERED

iTrader: (2)

I have not driven mine in a few days but the last time I did drive it, it shifted great. I have about 380 miles on it now and will be going to the track soon. Maybe even tonight( Wensday).

If not tonight, then next Friday night when I get off the boat.

BADSZ28

iTrader: (39)

Mine is getting better everyday. Still having issues with 4th. I hope it is the clutch and not the trans. I will bleed it again.

blazinws6kush

I also got a spec 3+ after my regular spec 3 went out. Had a little bit of shifting problems but that all went away after a good break in of about 2000 miles. I thought i had air in my lines or the master was going out.

AINT SKEERED

iTrader: (2)

Well it is shifting pretty damn good now but should do great after a couple 6000 rpm dumps.

CamdLs1

iTrader: (2)

I purchased an adjustable master, hope it will fix my problem. Was gonna use a second shim but all that work (dropping the tranny again) didn't sound fun. We'll see how it turns out.