I recently installed an ACT (MB7-HDG6) clutch in my EVO 9. I have installed many EVO clutches ACT and other brands. I put about 300 miles on my car. One day I was driving and went for a second gear shift the pedal went to the floor and I had no clutch.

After removing the trans I found the Pull mechanism on the pressure plate had come apart. I have never had an issue with the release mechanism (unless installed incorrectly) like I had with this one. They will come apart on the first application not after 300 miles. I had an event coming up rather quickly and contacted ACT. I explained the situation they told me since repairing my car was time sensitive I would have to purchase an new pressure plate from them AT LIST PRICE (I paid less for the complete kit at my supplier)then send my old pressure plate back for inspection, which I did.

After getting the runaround for two days these were their findings. They found no abuse or indication of miss installation. They said the release mechanism was a patented item that they did not manufacture it and take no responsibility for it. SO SORRY BEND OVER

Talk about passing the buck!!! The only help they offered was for me to send them an old stock pressure plate and they would transfer the release mechanism. After selling me a second pressure plate at list price. As a consumer I feel I got robbed and will never use, recommend or promote ACT CLUTCHES AGAIN.

I am curious if any other EVO owners have had any like situations with ACT.

 

That sucks man... real stand up company there...

 

Yah next thing they'll probably say is they don't make the steel so it's not there responsibility!

 

"I recently installed an ACT (MB7-HDG6) clutch in my EVO 9. I have installed many EVO clutches ACT and other brands. I put about 300 miles on my car. One day I was driving and went for a second gear shift the pedal went to the floor and I had no clutch. "

same happend to me yesterday but, after driving for 58,000K miles

1st to second gear...

 

I'd be OK with it if it happened after 58k miles. Anything less than 20k and I'd be pissed.

 

a part that cost them $50 bucks is now going to cost them thousands. I certainly dont understand why companies dont make things right. This could have been a huge positive for ACT now its a big FAIL.

 

thats scummy

 

I think the clutch business is very sketchy. There are so many factors that come into play with the longevity of a clutch.. Ive ran ACT in my car since day one no issues yet but then again I never launch my car.. Just seems like theres a 50/50 split when it comes to peoples experiences with clutches.. Some
love em, some hate em.. Best of luck tho man.

 

It's not all ACT's fault and situations like this is always going to be a problem for us with pull style clutches. Exedy has a patent on the design and aftermarket clutch companies buy and use Exedy pressure plates directly insted of paying the royalties. If anything, get the part back, and maybe take it up with Exedy. But then again they might give you the run around too and claim it's the aftermarket company's fault for altering the original product. It's Exedy that really has us over a barrel.

 

These clips get *****ed up on install all the time so the manufacturer is in a tough spot. Either open the door for everyone who messes up the clip to try to get free clutches or **** off a few people. It is a bad situation. Since ACT sells a ton of clutches and you dont hear about this very often I would say it is more likely caused by install error. If they examined it and said there is no problem I would say you just made a mistake.

 

Wow very sorry to hear that, you would think they would own up to it. I have 30K on mine and it still bites like day one, but def. would make me think twice in the future.

 

I would like to hear the other side of the story from ACT.

 

thats a darn good point right there ^^ clutches are sometimes purchased without doing any research,,, some folks dont realize that a clutch could be set up and application specific, tilton not good for a DD unless you have deep pockets but they dont lock and shift nice, ACT great for DD good pricing but i guess doesnt like to shifted at high RPM's on and on.

 

I shift my car at about 7900-8,000 rpms on my ACT clutch.. I believe it's a 3200 series. At least that's what the owner recalled it being but he wasn't sure either as it had been a while. I've never had lockout issues with it thus far. Once I get my springs and retainers in and I start revving to 9k.. that may change. I'd like to NOT have any issues but that's one thing that ACT is renowned for. If you have a stroker setup I'd say ACT is probably an awesome clutch to have as you won't be revving extroardinarily high anyway lol.

Another clutch that everyone likes locally anyway (domestics and imports) are the Spec clutches. Now I have no personal experience but from my friends that have ran them they seem to hold up very nicely and engage smoothly; however, there have been a couple of them that like to make a loud squeeling noise when taking off from a stop. I figured it was install error; however, when my buddy called Spec to find out why, they referred to it as a "normal sound" that those clutches make sometimes. They said often times it'll go away with more mileage.. Probably the only negative side to those clutches I have seen so far and they're just as cheap as the ACT clutches. Might be something some of you can consider if you hate ACT but don't have the money for an $1,800 exedy setup lol.

 

Exedy clutches aren't always problem free either LOL