Clutch advice from some Vics

bcoutback · Post by **bcoutback** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:52 pm

Hi guys,

Up in NSW at the moment and my clutch failed in the middle of one of the state parks up here.

It's getting towed back to Melbourne (thanks RACV).

My old man works for Clutch Industries so he should be able to get me a replacement.

I've gone from knowing nothing about clutches to knowing a little.
So, the Outbacks have a dual mass clutch and I think the rubber in that failed due to overheating on the tracks.

After a bit of research I think the opinion is that a single mass flywheel is really what I need to withstand offroading.

Comments, thought, opinions welcome as you guys no doubt have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Thanks guys.

Damien

Action shot of me destroying the clutch getting out of the park after I realise I have big problems.

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:31 pm

Love the RACV

The dual mass flywheel sucks. Replace with a normal solid flywheel. Pretty common problem apparently. I can't give specifics because i'm not that familiar with the problem, but you could try calling Jim Berry from race clutch in QLD. He should be able to give you the details on what flywheel to use.

http://www.motorsportworld.com.au/outlets/raceclutch/

Good luck with it mate!

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Thu Nov 24, 2011 11:50 pm

bcoutback wrote:Hi guys,

Up in NSW at the moment and my clutch failed in the middle of one of the state parks up here.

It's getting towed back to Melbourne (thanks RACV).

My old man works for Clutch Industries so he should be able to get me a replacement.
I've gone from knowing nothing about clutches to knowing a little.
So, the Outbacks have a dual mass clutch and I think the rubber in that failed due to overheating on the tracks.

After a bit of research I think the opinion is that a single mass flywheel is really what I need to withstand offroading.

Comments, thought, opinions welcome as you guys no doubt have a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Thanks guys.

Damien

Action shot of me destroying the clutch getting out of the park after I realise I have big problems.

Hello.. I think I've found a new best friend

hahaha.. just kidding Damien

Yes your car more than likely has a Dual Mass setup. I'd recommend like Venom said, you replace the flywheel with a solid one but is your car under any kind of warrantry? Normally the flywheel lets go and creates shutters and squeaks but from the looks of that smoke, it's just the fiction disc, which after cooling down, may have got you home (that's a big maybe). Either way, all of it has to come out and from there suss out where and what is stuffed.

Where would we be without the RAC and LOVE those pics in your sig

steptoe · Post by **steptoe** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:05 am

Have in the past found clutch kits from genuine to be cheaper than after market by hunbreds(for everyone else whose dad does not work for clutch industries

Dual mass seem to suck in all brands of vehicles and many have an after market solid flywheel option. I have never heard a complaint after conversion to solid about the loss of vibration damping (the job of dual mass ??)

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:48 am

G'day Damien!

While you're doing the clutch with the gearbox out it'd be a GREAT TIME to use those saved pennies from your dad's clutch to drop the scorpion low range gearset in

You'll love it, I know others have! Ask Greg about the scorpion low range and the H6, he loves it! You won't look back after and you'll probably wonder why you didn't do it earlier!

And you're correct in ditching the dual mass flywheel - apparently car companies came up with this design for smoother operation. I really think people just need to learn how to gear shift correctly!

All the best mate!

Cheers

Bennie

Subyroo · Post by **Subyroo** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:30 pm

I had a Clutch Kit - DMF Conversion - Rear Crankshaft Seal - Clutch Fork Boot all fitted to my 03 XS Forester back in October this year and the clutch is a lot lighter on the foot than the DM in my opinion.

I mentioned to Boxer Service that the car even seems to have a bit more or better torque and Andrew said the torque curve would have moved a little because of the new clutch. Either way it certainly feels a whole lot better than the old DM clutch.

If you intend to do more off road work then a scorpion low range set of gears would be the go whilst you have the gearbox out as already mentioned, if you can afford it along with the clutch repair.

FROG · Post by **FROG** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 4:57 pm

El_Freddo wrote:And you're correct in ditching the dual mass flywheel - apparently car companies came up with this design for smoother operation. I really think people just need to learn how to gear shift correctly!

Bennie

spot on Bennie
thats what its all about, it never fails to amaze me how so many people have so little mechanical sympathy these days and that leads to the manufacturers dreaming up these designs to protect their drivetrains

and that unfortunately impacts on the rest of us that do understand how things work- we could have had a solid flywheel that outlasted the rest of the car , but noo

pezimm · Post by **pezimm** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 6:19 pm

bcoutback wrote:After a bit of research I think the opinion is that a single mass flywheel is really what I need to withstand offroading.

Or you can just get an auto!

:twisted:

C'mon, now you can throw eggs at me, just not on my face... LOL!

Thank God for the good old RACV!!

Cheers,
Pedro.

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:50 pm

Sorry to hear of your clutch probs...

My Foz had a clutch done some time ago (by previous owner), not sure if its a SMF one but it does have some shudder during takeoff esp when cold. So i just try to be smoother with it lol.

Everything i hear about the DMF setup is awful...Subaru have some great ideas but every now & again one backfires...

bcoutback · Post by **bcoutback** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:34 pm

Well, car arrived a few days earlier than expected.

The mechanic pulled it apart and it doesn't have a dual mass so no need to worry about that.

Bennie, you put the idea of the Scorpion low range in my head.
Bad news is that one of the three parts is not available and they're not making any more this year.

Guess I'll shelve that idea for the moment and just get my car back.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 11:45 pm

bcoutback wrote:Bennie, you put the idea of the Scorpion low range in my head.
Bad news is that one of the three parts is not available and they're not making any more this year.

Guess I'll shelve that idea for the moment and just get my car back.

Or go with the L series low range swap

Cheers

Bennie

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:01 pm

El_Freddo wrote:Or go with the L series low range swap

Cheers

Bennie

Great article but theres a much easier albeit more expensive way to do it...source the L series low range & pay Venom's guy to do it

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:55 pm

nachaluva wrote:Great article but theres a much easier albeit more expensive way to do it...source the L series low range & pay Venom's guy to do it

Is it really worth it? You've already got the Foz 1.447 low range... Up to you but that's the question I'd be asking myself!

Cheers

Bennie

bcoutback · Post by **bcoutback** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 1:32 pm

Thought I'd post some pics of the clutch.

I think somethings missing......

Also finally got my 16" and AT/s before this trip.

The firetrail where I got stuck was great and I'll have to go back at some point. The descent was awesome (until I started running out of clutch)
Wolumla Peak Firetower

View from the tower. The easy road to the right, the fun road through the trees.

BTW, I do like the idea of a replacement low range. Anyone in Melbourne doing this kind of thing? I seem to get funny looks and silence when I talk about modifying an '08 vehicle.

YouTube · Post by **El_Freddo** » Sat Jan 14, 2012 11:20 pm

bcoutback wrote:I think somethings missing......

Yep, that'll slip everytime!

bcoutback wrote:BTW, I do like the idea of a replacement low range. Anyone in Melbourne doing this kind of thing? I seem to get funny looks and silence when I talk about modifying an '08 vehicle.

I'm not sure about a full pull the box, swap in the L series low range and re-install the box in the car service, but the fella who build Venom's gearbox will certainly be able to install the low range gearing for you, but you'd have to arrange it with him and get the gearbox out first - but I could be wrong, he might take the box out as well

Geez I'm useless sometimes!

Cheers

Bennie

NachaLuva · Post by **NachaLuva** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 2:38 pm

Crikey, that clutch is seriously stuffed!

Which tyres did you go for?

That firetower has some decent views

Venom · Post by **Venom** » Sun Jan 15, 2012 5:07 pm

The bloke who did my gearbox has a hoist and he does some gearbox swaps for people. I could pass on his number if you like. He's been doing subaru gearboxes for 20 odd years and knows enough i started having a note book and pen out when talking to him on the phone. I don't think anyone else in Vic would know so much about the dual range boxes specifically.

bcoutback · Post by **bcoutback** » Sun Feb 05, 2012 10:43 pm

nachaluva wrote:
Which tyres did you go for?

That firetower has some decent views

Went the Yoko AT-s as I was really happy with my HT-s.
Yep that firetower is on the list to go back to.

Venom, happy to grab that number. I'd have to find the low range bits though.

Harold · Post by **Harold** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 11:00 pm

How are the tires? Any clearance issues with the slightly larger size?

bcoutback wrote:Went the Yoko AT-s as I was really happy with my HT-s.
Yep that firetower is on the list to go back to.

Venom, happy to grab that number. I'd have to find the low range bits though.

bcoutback · Post by **bcoutback** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:57 am

Tires are great. No clearance issues. Slight rub at full lock but will go away with tire wear.