obrut

I have about 1200 miles on my 94 5.0 5speed miata and the clutch is very grabby. I had the flywheel resurfaced and bought the clutch new. After about 500 miles I pulled the engine and trans to fix a oil pan gasket leak and replaced the 2nd gear syncro. I inspected the clutch and flywheel and they looked great, still like new. If I try to drive normal and be smooth on take off the car shutters a little. If I up the RPMs its completely fine. Its worse in reverse, I can't back up with out it shuttering. I have a 1x3 square tube crossmember with a stock rubber trans mount that I made and I have the rear diff mounted with poly bushings.

I read that this clutch is like this until it breaks in which should be at 500 miles. I did noticed that when I took a friend for a ride, hes about 230 pounds, that it was way smoother. I think this might work in a heavier car like a mustang put maybe too much for a miata? Anyone one else experience this?

engineer

HI,

The clutch will be "grabby" until it beds in. The 500 mile break in is dependent on whether it is done in stop start traffic and normal city driving. Long highway runs do not help bed in a clutch. Best thing to do is to keep driving in traffic so its stop start all day. I would also extend the break in to be about 800-1000 miles of this. Do not give the car full power during break in as it will glaze the clutch, then its stuffed for life. Just keep up the bedding in process. It should smooth out in time.

Cheers

obrut

ok well most of those miles have been highway, I just hope it gets better, thanks.