Quarter Master 8-leg/ Push Style Clutch Issue on Stroker Engines
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, Tx
Quarter Master 8-leg/ Push Style Clutch Issue on Stroker Engines
I have been using the Quarter Master 8-leg Street/Strip clutch for the last 986 miles. The clutch has been louder than I anticipated but makes up for it in holding and all around feel. While sitting in traffic at about 920 miles, the clutch pedal pressure started to feel different, and the engagement point seemed inconsistent. I was 50 miles from home (mostly highway) and was able to baby it home without a problem. Bleeding the release bearing and adjusting the clutch pedal rod didn't make any difference. I stuck a borescope through the inspection port and discovered the release bearing riding on the pressure plate fingers. It was just lightly touching, but would spin when the crank was rotated by hand. I pulled the transmission and rechecked the release bearing clearance. I discoved that my clearance was somewhere between 0 and -62 thousandths. Fortunately, Quarter Master checked my clutch and stated that it and the bearing look as good as new in terms of wear.
When I initially installed the clutch, my measurements put me under the minimum clearance without using any shims (I don't have the numbers anymore but something like 75 thousandths). I called Quarter Master at the time and was told I most likely would be fine and my measurements may be slightly off due to the awkwardness of measuring the pressure plate fingers.
Now that Quarter Master has determined that the clutch is fine, they are going to machine down the release bearing to obtain the clearance I need. I spoke with Jeff Weigert, and he mentioned that he has seen this happen a few times. All of them have been stroker motors. He couldn't tell me whether or not the other 2 were using OEM Mitsubishi cranks. I am personally using the Manley billet crank. It's possible that issue could be from a difference in length of an OEM crank vs aftermarket or individual OEM crankshafts. It would only be in the vicinity of 100 thousands additional in the flywheel mount section. The problem is that the clutch is always slightly depressed, the release bearing is always spinning, and this would be placing a significant load onto the thrust bearing. I've seen several posts lately that blame push style clutches on crank walk and failed bearings. This could be a potential reason.
At this point, I don't believe the problem is from Quarter Master. They have shown excellent customer service and Jeff Weigert is great to deal with. They took care of the labor on this issue and I am paying for return shipping. I believe this is more than fair. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. I just want to put this issue out there so that someone else may benefit from it.
When I initially installed the clutch, my measurements put me under the minimum clearance without using any shims (I don't have the numbers anymore but something like 75 thousandths). I called Quarter Master at the time and was told I most likely would be fine and my measurements may be slightly off due to the awkwardness of measuring the pressure plate fingers.
Now that Quarter Master has determined that the clutch is fine, they are going to machine down the release bearing to obtain the clearance I need. I spoke with Jeff Weigert, and he mentioned that he has seen this happen a few times. All of them have been stroker motors. He couldn't tell me whether or not the other 2 were using OEM Mitsubishi cranks. I am personally using the Manley billet crank. It's possible that issue could be from a difference in length of an OEM crank vs aftermarket or individual OEM crankshafts. It would only be in the vicinity of 100 thousands additional in the flywheel mount section. The problem is that the clutch is always slightly depressed, the release bearing is always spinning, and this would be placing a significant load onto the thrust bearing. I've seen several posts lately that blame push style clutches on crank walk and failed bearings. This could be a potential reason.
At this point, I don't believe the problem is from Quarter Master. They have shown excellent customer service and Jeff Weigert is great to deal with. They took care of the labor on this issue and I am paying for return shipping. I believe this is more than fair. I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. I just want to put this issue out there so that someone else may benefit from it.
Last edited by Steven; May 3, 2012 at 05:22 AM.
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, Tx
I wouldn't drive it too long if it is. This 100-200 thousandths is adding excessive load to the thrust bearings. I had been meaning to message you about your car and ask if you had experienced anything. It shouldn't be too hard for a shop that has both cranks in stock to check it out. It would be have to be close to a 1/4 of an inch.
Last edited by Steven; Apr 26, 2012 at 10:52 AM.
Trending Topics
QM told me the stock evo 2.0L crank/engine would not require shimming of the TOB BUT for some reason any after market crank or other mitsu crank OTHER THEN the stock 2.0L crank would require shimming of the TOB.
maybe that is your issue.
maybe that is your issue.
Thread Starter
Evolving Member
iTrader: (19)
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, Tx
No, they paid the labor on machining the bearing down for the needed clearance. I pulled the transmission and paid for shipping. It seems that this is a crankshaft issue so this really isn't their problem. I'd like to narrow it down though and know for sure.
"They have shown excellent customer service and Jeff Weigert is great to deal with. They took care of the labor on this issue and I am paying for return shipping."