If you look through my posts, you can see when the clutch was replaced with a RAM HDX clutch, along with a ton of other parts. While at Mustang Week 2014, I was having problems getting the clutch adjusted correctly. I have the UPR quick release quadrant and firewall adjuster and it was grabbing just off the floor no matter how it was adjusted. To have it grab a bit higher, I had to really stretch the cable. Something was definitely wrong.
When I got back I did a bit of research and decided to replace the cable. I ordered the maximum motorsports cable (which was already in there as of 100k miles ago) because it was the least expensive piece to replace. It also came with a spacer - MMCL-17 is the part number, and it's not on their web site. I did need to use this spacer eventually.
So the cable shows up and I replace it. Trying to adjust the thing I'm having the same issues. It was soon obvious that the cable was not the root of the problem. I had my dad start the car while it was up on jack stands. After making sure that everything was secure, I got under there and looked up inside the bell housing while the fork cover was off. What I noticed the fork was vibrating like crazy! Now I know this is not due to the previous install. I've done this more than once, and my buddy that assisted me is a seasoned veteran when it comes to clutch installs. We shut the car off, and bumped the motor over without starting the car. What I finally noticed was a heart breaker. The fingers on the pressure plate, where the release bearing would push on, were not all the same height. This meant that some fingers were touching the release bearing, some were not. This explained why I had to have the cable so tight to get the clutch to release - it had to PULL those 'high' fingers into the low ones enough that when the pedal was depressed, the clutch would release. I knew I was going to be pulling the clutch setup again. It had to come out of there.
A couple days later, surgery began again. In a few hours I had the pressure plate in my hand. It looked fine! We checked the flywheel, we checked the disk, we even used calipers to measure the flange on the pressure plate. I couldn't see anything wrong. I got on the phone with tech support for RAM. they gave me a bunch of troubleshooting procedures which I followed. Eventually the issue pointed to a distorted pressure plate. I boxed it all up and sent it to them at their request the following day. At the same time, I ordered the exact same kit, brand new, from a retailer and it arrived two days later. I installed the clutch again, and I also replaced the rear main seal once again (and it still leaks by the way). This is the part where I also installed the MM spacer I mentioned above. Everything seemed perfect. I adjusted the cable according to the instructions and I was immediately pleased with the pedal feel. Everything now FELT perfect. The clutch release was great, pedal feel was fantastic, and the quick release quadrant and new MM cable made for great feedback. I couldn't be happier, except for the fact that I had to buy TWO clutch kits in less than 20k miles.
After two weeks, I followed up with RAM since I had not heard from them. I know that the package was delivered 3 days after I sent it out to them. At first they had problems finding it (summer help will do that), but they eventually tracked it down. The gentlemen who originally helped me with tech support called me up. He told me they finally found it, and that a brand new kit was on the way to me, and should be delivered today. I was pretty shocked, but definitely pleased! Sure enough, it was on my doorstep after I hung up the phone. It must have been delivered earlier in the day. Now I have in my hands the exact same kit that I had just ordered two weeks ago, and installed in the car. I called up the retailer and explained what happened. I wanted to make a full return. They had no problems with that! I shipped it back to them (my dime) and once they received it and saw that it was unopened and exactly what I had ordered from them, they credited me a full refund. I love a company that stands by their product. RAM clutches definitely took care of me here!
