Well my worst fears are being realized. My clutch is starting to slip. Went to the local dealer, and he was very sympathetic, but he'd be happy to get me an "estimate" to repair it, good Ford customer service and all. Went to Shelby's in Vegas, 2 weeks ago. Talked to Jeremy. Very nice young man, and also sympathetic, but no help. He knows of no dealers who will perform the TSB, once out of warranty, for free or at a discount. So I'm stuck paying for Ford's problem. My question is, has anyone done this on their car themselves? I'm not a "line mechanic", but I've built custom cars for 15 yrs, so I can turn wrenches. What clutch would be the best? Factory replacement? The 2010 upgrade? Most owners seem to be getting the factory replacement, but, they have a warranty, I don't. If anyone has done this themselves, let me know what parts were used, and any unforseen problems. The TSB gives it 4hrs labor for just the clutch, so it appears pretty straight forward. Any tips to pass along guys? Besides that I should have kept my '08 Corvette.

Did my own TSb with Ford replacement parts. Sent the tranny out to get the input shaft, first, second and syhchros replaced. Replaced the flywheel and clutch plates. To do the 2010 right you have to do the master as well. The information I received is the 2010 is a larger size clutch and the master is different as well. I would not attempt this change without a lift as the bellhousing clearances are quite tight and takes some finess. To accomodate the swap I used a length of 1"x4" in front of the oil pan and used a floor jack to angle the motor. This will assist in the removal and especially the install process. The tranny bellhousing should be rotated clock wise in order to clear the firewall tunnel. Be sure to cap the clutch fluid line as it will create a hell of a mess and brake fluid is something you do not want to get on painted parts as well as in your eyes. The clutch has to be blead by using a vacum tool as there are not bleeder valves. If I had to do it with out of pocket expense I would choose from many aftermarket clutches and flywheels available on the market. Some guys are resorting to single disk clutches as the dual disc is the heart of alot of our problems. Just try and leave gracefully from first and you get my drift. Especially on a hill or steep incline. My swap was especially trying as I have Bassani long tube headers and they are not tranny friendly. Good luck and as mentioned before, I would not attempt this without a lift and a good tranny jack.

I think it was chuckstang that installed one Ford TSB replacement clutch which also failed and then he installed a Spec clutch and while it is effective he said the chatter is louder than stock. I haven't read of anyone (so far) that has been unhappy with a full 2010 replacement kit.

I think it was chuckstang that installed one Ford TSB replacement clutch which also failed and then he installed a Spec clutch and while it is effective he said the chatter is louder than stock. I haven't read of anyone (so far) that has been unhappy with a full 2010 replacement kit.

Dealers may be calling it a 2010 clutch replacement but I would have to see the parts list to believe they are truly changing out all required parts. These guys have a problem puting in the right oil, which is on the fill cap, never mind the parts required for a 2010 change out. That is the very reason why I did my own tranny TSB, which by the way, was one of the first to fail. Back then they weren't even recognizing there was an issue. Took alot of ribbing from fellow members for missing second gear till the TSB came out.

Thanks for the heads-up guys. I have a lift, and trans jack. The days of crawling on my back with a trans on my chest are long gone, too old. I have a buddy that is a smog tech at the Ford dealership, maybe he can get me a good price on the parts, although the dealership does not condone side work. As for the parts, those listed in the TSB, are the 2010 parts? Or are they replacement parts for whats there? Is the 2010 clutch disc cerma-metallic or organic fiber? Single or dual disc? The TSB states , it's necessary to reflash the PCM? Why? Battery disconnect I presume? If I go aftermarket, which one? All about the same? If aftermarket, single or dual disc? I have the upper 2.6 pulley, not installed, and plan on the lower late model balancer, or overdrive lower pulley, as well as other assorted parts, to boost (pun intended) performance. So I don't want to do this clutch again. The 2010 parts will take the abuse? Or better be safe with aftermarket. I really appreciate your feedback. Thanks. Brad:silly:

As far as I know the TSB calls for and updated flywheel to reduce or prevent wharping which was an issue in continued stop and go traffic. The input shaft is updated to allow for better clutch release and the gears and synchros are replacement. I have a complete set from Ford for the tranny components, still in the box that I would be willing to sell. I do not have the flywheel or clutch assembly. PM me if you are interested. I'll leave the rest of your questions open as you will get a variety of answers on direction. You can call Rockland Standard Gear and ask for George. I forget his last name but they are Tremec specialists and knew of the issues before Ford stepped up to the plate.

http://www.rsgear.com/about/business-practices.asp

There's a guy over on svtperformance that has an '09 clutch, in the box, for $375.00

bj

There's a guy over on svtperformance that has an '09 clutch, in the box, for $375.00

bj

I' already working with him on that one...he has a busy schedule.

Thanks for all the responses, at least I don't feel lonely! I've been to Spec's site, and viewed their product line. That seems to be the course to take. Haven't talked to svtperformance yet, but I will. Trying to locate a good trans-man in my area, so I can coordinate all this with as little down time as possible. It's the summer car show time, and I've already missed the Hot Rod Power Tour, and several local shows, so I need to bite the bullet. All this reminds me of an old saying, "the bitterness of poor quality, is remembered long after the sweetness of low price". 'Nuff said. Thanks for all the input.:boohoo:

If you do get the new clutch setup from ford, the parts have changed. The new clutch is now a larger approx 11" organic twin disc setup, it used to be a similar style ceramic puck setup. That is the main reason for the new flywheel. Plus a new hydraulic line only, not a master. If I were paying for a clutch out of pocket, I would steer clear of the ford piece, unless I drove like a sissy. IMHO

I' already working with him on that one...he has a busy schedule.

The part numbers on that one were not consistant with the part numbers Ford now lists for the TSB, and the flywheel did not look the same as the pictures in the Ford TSB for the "current" new style.