clutch kit?

NHStang03 · **clutch kit?**

My car is making a wierd loud squeeking noise when i shift gears. The squeek happens after i shift and I'm releasing the clutch and pressing the gas. I think it's a worn out cutch or something. I want to buy a clutch kit but I dont know what is a good brand or what "stage 1, 2, or 3" is. Can I jump to stage 2, 3, or get a stage 1 since my engine is mostly stock? My car is an 03 Mustang GT. Info would be much appreciated.

**PureVenom** · **Re: clutch kit?**

The squeeling you are describing sounds a lot like the throw out bearing and not the clutch. I've been through 3 of them. The stocker and the SPEC throw out bearing made that loud squeel like you mention. The one I just took off this weekend didn't...yet. But my clutch was dead so it got a new TOB with my clutch swap.

As for the stage...I would say go with a SPEC stage 2...that should be plenty for what you have right now. I just put in a spec stage 3+ which replaced my spec stage 3...and I am very happy with both. I would reccommend the spec 2+ over the 2 if you can get it. It will be a couple hundred more, but if it is anything like the 3+ compared to the 3, you will be very happy.

Also, if you decide to do a clutch swap, get the spec flywheel as well. It is rebuildable so you won't have to buy another if you burn your clutch up down the road.

So, SPEC is a great brand. Another good brand is centerforce. A lot of the cobra guys have been using both these brands. I am on my second SPEC, and am very happy with it.

Check out Atomic Performance - TA Performance, Pro 5.0, SCT, C&L, JLT Cold Air as they have a number of the centerforce and spec clutches. The clutch kits will come with the pressure plate, clutch disc, allignment tool, throw out bearing, and pilot bearing. So it will be a complete kit. You can then add a flywheel if you want or just get your stocker resurfaced. I would get the spec though.

NHStang03 · **Re: clutch kit?**

Thanks a lot! I'll definitely use your advice.

99MustangGTman · **Re: clutch kit?**

def a TOB, go with a centerforce.

greenpony02 · **Re: clutch kit?**

Can just a TOB be changed? Is it hard? How's it done? I have the same problem but my clutch had just been replaced before I bought the car (about 1.5 years ago) so I don't think it needs changed.

**PureVenom** · **Re: clutch kit?**

Yes it can, and it just involves dropping the trans and pulling the old one off the input shaft and putting the new one on. It can be done in your driveway on stands (like I just did my entire clutch swap) in a day. You'll need sockets and a bunch of extensions and some swivels. That's it.

The TOB is about $25 for the ford heavy duty one.

greenpony02 · **Re: clutch kit?**

Do you know of a "how to" with pictures?

**PureVenom** · **Re: clutch kit?**


Quote: Originally Posted by greenpony02 Do you know of a "how to" with pictures?

I am writing a how to on how to completely remove the trans, clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, etc....that I did this weekend. I expect to have it done by the weekend. You would basicially do the beginning and end of what I did...remove the trans, pull the clutch fork off, pull the TOB out of the fork, install new TOB into fork, apply greese to the TOB retainer sleeve, put TOB over the sleeve, attach fork, put trans back on car, and done.

So, yeah, there will be a how too shortly from me.

Here are the pics: Clutch swap complete

I missed some I wish I would have gotten, but those that I missed I will explain as clearly as I can.

greenpony02 · **Re: clutch kit?**

Sweet I'll look forward to it.

**1234** · **Re: clutch kit?**

Whats the best TOB to get? Is the ford heavy duty considered the best? cause mine is 4 months old and making alot of noise

**PureVenom** · **Re: clutch kit?**


Quote: Originally Posted by 1234 Whats the best TOB to get? cause mine is 4 months old and making alot of noise

The ford heavy duty one:

Ford Racing 96-04 Heavy Duty Throw Out Bearing [M-7548-A] - $35.00

I had the spec one with my first spec clutch, and it died in about 3 months. I replaced it with the ford one...it made it 3 years and it was on its way out for sure. Noisy and loose when spinning out of the car.

I have another spec one now in a box that I got with my spec 3+ kit. I didn't bother installing it and just bought the TOB linked to above.