Impreza 2004 RS clutch problem... I think

stevejenkins · Post by **stevejenkins** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 7:21 pm

Sound to me like they might have hung the gearbox before tightening the bolts. I did this once and bent the clutch and had all manner of problems until I replaced the clutch. The shudder was the main issue but also notices issues with not wanting to go into gear.
Hope this helps

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 7:40 pm

Thanks Steve.. the clutch and pressure plate goes back to exedy tomorrow for "testing".. but I get the feeling it will come back all clear... I am leaning towards it being the wrong clutch and pressure plate... going off the product no FJK 7626 this is designed for a flex flywheel when mine may be either a DM flywheel or Solid.. heres what I know

The previous pressure and clutch plate worked perfectly in the car and were the genuine item.. their product numbers are:

Pressure Plate: 30210AA620
Clutch Plate: 30100AA870

I was led to believe (via subi spares) that this indicated that they would have been suited to a solid mass flywheel.

BUT when I took pictures of my flywheel (posted above) and took the pics to Subi service the main guy there (looked on my camera) said it was a dual mass flywheel...

So either the spares guy was incorrect when he said the pressure/clutch plate numbers indicated they were suited for a solid mass flywheel... or the gentleman at service dept was incorrect when he said it was a dual mass flywheel when he looked at the pics...

I think the answer lies in working out what sort of flywheel it is... Im beginning to think I should just grab all the parts and take them to subi and get a tech/mech shed some light on it... The more research I do the more unclear it becomes..

If anyone has a good idea about those pics.. what type of flywheel it is I would love to know.

Thanks
Petero

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Tue Sep 07, 2010 11:29 pm

I realise Im talking to myself now but I think after hours of scouring the net for pics that this is definitely a solid mass flywheel... even though I asked the subi service guy if he was absolutely sure when he said it was a dual mass flywheel... argh.. give me strength.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 7:59 am

Of your 3 pics the top one throws me. The 2nd and 3rd pic show a solid flywheel but the top one looks like a different flywheel.

Jeff · Post by **Jeff** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 8:01 am

Now i see just a different angle. That is not a dual mass flywheel

bobbyjimmy · Post by **bobbyjimmy** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 9:24 am

You can tell if its a DMF before you un-bolt the flywheel from the crank too.
HEX bolts = DMF
Standard bolts = Solid

PM sent too.

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 9:42 am

Thanks Jeff and BobbyJ...

I never needed to take pics of a flywheel before so I didnt recognise the significance of taking a few side on photographs... I will post all the pics I have of it.

The flywheel is only quite thin...

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 12:36 pm

Now I'm told that its possibly a flex flywheel due to the plate bolted onto the back of it as seen in pics 1 and 2... I'm at a loss... I have been told by various people that its a dual mass flywheel, then a solid flywheel and now possibly a flex flywheel...

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 3:56 pm

Hey Petero..

Yes that flywheel is what we refer to as a Semi-Solid flywheel.. It is definately not a Dual-Mass (I will post picture shortly) but your flywheel CAN and should have been machined. Also the the kit I use is a RPM (Clutch Industries) model RPM1142N and work a treat.

Cheers,
Paul

RSR 555 · Post by **RSR 555** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 4:15 pm

Ok.. I have taken pics of 2 flywheels (as you have a pic of the 3rd type) the flywheel on the left is a Solid Flywheel and on the right is a Dual-Mass Flywheel

Face..

Rear..

And like bobbyjimmy has mentioned.. the Dual-Mass uses Torx #50 bolts

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Wed Sep 08, 2010 6:01 pm

Thanks for that Paul

Unfortunately I only have the option of an exedy brand at this point as thats what the mechanic bought for my car when he did the job... I'm still a bit confused as to what clutch kit is the right one for my car... The mechanic bought the flex flywheel type (thats what exedy call it) but they also sell a clutch kit for a solid flywheel type.

The flywheel, clutch and pressure plate are all over at exedy now being "tested" to see if they can find the problem... I guess I will know in a few days.

AlpineRaven · Post by **AlpineRaven** » Thu Sep 09, 2010 10:53 pm

Atkinson wrote:Thanks for that Paul

Unfortunately I only have the option of an exedy brand at this point as thats what the mechanic bought for my car when he did the job... I'm still a bit confused as to what clutch kit is the right one for my car... The mechanic bought the flex flywheel type (thats what exedy call it) but they also sell a clutch kit for a solid flywheel type.

The flywheel, clutch and pressure plate are all over at exedy now being "tested" to see if they can find the problem... I guess I will know in a few days.

How long is the testing gonna be?
Cheers
AP

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Fri Sep 10, 2010 10:07 pm

Gday AP... Well all the parts went back to the distributor and then back to exedy so I dont really know how long it will be... being that my car is hogging one of the two hoists at the mechanics in the meantime I'm certain they wont take any longer than needed.

Just a waiting game now.. will keep you posted... im hoping for the outcome to be incorrect clutch kit

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:05 am

So does a flex flywheel = dual mass flywheel?

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 11:02 am

No Subydazz.. while there is still differing opinions on whether this flywheel is a flexplate flywheel or a solid flywheel it's definitely not a dual mass flywheel... I have seen a liberty DM flywheel and its much thicker and has 2 pieces which while connected have some movement from each other.

Even though my flywheel looks to have a plate bolted onto it which is meant to depict a flex plate flywheel I have had subaru (and pics on the net) verify it as a solid flywheel... Also the fact the clutch parts that came out of my car first time around match product numbers relating to use with a solid flywheel and hopefully that is my problem (as the clutch kit purchased was for use with a flex plate flywheel).

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Sun Sep 12, 2010 6:16 pm

So what exactly is a flex flywheel?

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Mon Sep 13, 2010 3:46 pm

From what I have learnt it is much the same in appearance as a solid flywheel yet it has a plate bolted to it.. in the case of the subaru the plate is maybe 2/3's of the diameter of the flywheel it is bolted too.

The only thing is what I have just described has been called a flex flywheel and also a solid flywheel with equal amounts of experience and people on either side of the debate... lol

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Tue Sep 21, 2010 6:03 pm

Well I finally got my car back, the clutch was checked and tested by the exedy engineers and then fitted back into my car... the jolting issue is still there and the mechanic is certain that its engine management causing the problem... he says the problem is that my car has a 2.5L engine in it with variable valve timing, the car didnt come from the factory like this... ie it didnt have variable valve timing so it is not hooked up in my car as it is.

For this reason he says my car also seriously lacks power so I have to see what my options are to get it hooked up?

any ideas on what my best option would be?

new heads?
get the correct engine?
or factory computer to suit variable valve timing engine?

Im also going to visit the guy who sold me the car to see who the mechanic is who did the job putting the wrong engine into the car in the first place. It seems like a pretty big mistake so maybe the mechanic is liable.

SUBYDAZZ · Post by **SUBYDAZZ** » Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:32 pm

Let us know how you go with that. Did you have the problem before you replaced the clutch though?

Atkinson · Post by **Atkinson** » Sun Sep 26, 2010 1:34 am

Not to my knowledge... I also got in contact with the previous owner who was very helpful and put me in contact with the mechanic and company who were responsible for putting the AVCS engine into my RS... the previous owner also said he doesnt remember the symptoms I am talking about before handing the car onto me which further verifies that the "problem" became apparent after the clutch work.... perhaps this is not the clutch causing the problem but something in the process of replacing the clutch has happened... anyway I have an appointment with the company responsible for the engine transplant so maybe they can shed some light on the issue... will keep you posted