Breaking in a Clutch
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From: Laurel, Maryland
Breaking in a Clutch Is this really needed? My car isn't drivable without a tune, but it really needs a new clutch before it can take the power I've added, so yeah. Can I just not "break in" a clutch?
What does breaking in a clutch do anyway?
What does breaking in a clutch do anyway?
To get teh best out of it, YES it needs to be broke in. Skipping this step will only lead to premature failure and/or slipping clutch, more than likely.
The break in process allows the material in teh disc to go through some "heat cycles" and by not doing that, the disc can "glaze" over and cause slippage/failure. Even though I will say that 500 miles is a bit on teh "extreme" side of break in, and will honestly say that most disc are broke in quicker than that...500 miles is used as a "why chance it?" You spend that much money and time changing on a clutch, why risk destroying by hurrying up the break in process.
So, sure you can risk it, and not break it in, but I can assure you, that if you don't, and it fails, that teh clutch manufacturer WILL know if you did or did not break in that clutch, and in doing so, can and will affect you warranty.
GL
In all the years of selling and installing clutch kits, I've always recommended the customer to put between 500-1000 miles on it before heavy using. The disc are typically thicker at the top of the disc and get thinner toward the center so they can break in to the flywheel and pressure plate. If you get on it while the disc is still breaking in, the surface you are grabbing on is not the entire surface of the disc. This can create slippage.
With that said, I know of a whole bunch of people including my self that break their clutches in at the track on a 6000+ rpm launch with slicks. It either holds or it doesn't. I understand this risk and have no one to blame when it fails. As a retailer or installer, you have to cover your *** so the customer doesn't come back complaining about it slipping and you have to do it over again on your dime.
With that said, I know of a whole bunch of people including my self that break their clutches in at the track on a 6000+ rpm launch with slicks. It either holds or it doesn't. I understand this risk and have no one to blame when it fails. As a retailer or installer, you have to cover your *** so the customer doesn't come back complaining about it slipping and you have to do it over again on your dime.
Break-in allows the materials to seat and this provides you with the least potential for issues with engagement, reduced capacity, and reduced clutch life. Do you have to break-in a clutch? No! Do you benefit from break-in? Yes!!! It is always the end users call but you certainly have a much greater risk for issues by going rogue when it comes to break-in. Let me know if you have any further questions. Thanks!
