Honda Clutch Kit

Clutch is going to need replacing on my 86 Prelude 2.0si- anybody know
the best place to get the full kit for a clutch replacement?

Thanks,
Bill

 

I am not sure about the "best" place but am looking forward
to others' input on this. In particular, I want to know if
OEM is strongly advocated.

For your reference: OEM sources for the clutch disc and
release bearing:
www.slhonda.com
www.hondaautomotiveparts.com

 

I hadn't thought about that. Maybe there isn't much difference, but deep
inside a clutch isn't the place you'd want substandard parts.

Anybody have experience with that?

Mike

 

I just searched the group's archives and Babcox.com's
magazines to see what they say. The archives don't reveal
strong feelings on this, from what I saw. OTOH, it seems the
topic does not come up here often. Larry Carley (the
automotive technician turned tech writer) seems to lean
towards OEM but is open to remanned parts. (Not sure which
parts he says can be purchased remanned. Flywheel with a cut
taken off the surface? Pressure plate rebuild?)

For the archives, since I'm sure you know the following,
Michael: I see the Honda clutch kits online, presumably so
far all aftermarket, contain the release bearing, pilot
bearing (forgot that), disc, an alignment tool, but also a
new pressure plate (oops on me). Carley says for low mileage
vehicles, sometimes the old pressure plate can be reused.
Dunno how prudent that is. The Car Talk guys (Tom and Ray)
note that a clutch's life depends largely on how many times
a car is started from stop, so a lot of stop and go driving
translates to a high wear rate on clutches. Makes sense.

Internet sources suggest the OEM manufacturer for Honda
clutches is Exedy. I think I'll go looking for some open
trannies next time I'm at the junkyard and look for
manufacturer info stamped on the disc, etc.

 

Wouldn't some reputable high-performance aftermarket clutch assemblies be
better than OEM? (Not full-race" clutches)

 

If you're replacing a worn clutch,theres TWO sides to it,and one side rubs
up against the clutch pressure plate! It also beats having to go BACK in
there if.... ;-)

OEM does suggest that the parts will fit with no surprises.No "awshits".

 

Well sure, but I was thinking the disc is made up of
"wearable" material, whereas the flywheel and pressure
plates are harder. Kinda like brake pads vs. rotors.

But rotors do get replaced/resurfaced.

My misconception. If it's S.O.P. to replace the pressure
plate, I will, some several years down the road when my 91
Civic's clutch actually starts slipping.

Yessir.

Yes, that's making sense to me.

What is surprising to me, in my little clutch exploration of
the past month or so, is that it's the parts that are much
of the cost of a clutch replacement, especially if OEM parts
are used. Labor really does not seem too intense for someone
who has done a clutch job or two on a Honda. I oughta look
up the hours on Alldata while I still have free access.

 

Makes sense to me. Reading one of your other posts in this thread (about
fit) I think you're on to something. Even a bit of hanging up in the release
can make a clutch drag.

Mike

 

Honda does not recommend machining flywheels on account of their "stepped"
surface. It says this in the "Specifications" section of every post-1990
model I've seen so far.

The pressure plate has many other points of wear and failure than just the
friction surface. If you've got a few miles on the car, it does not pay to
skimp on the pressure plate.

Once is enough when it's your daily driver. I went OEM for peace-of mind.

 

Yep.

See here for my experience:
http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/clutch/index.html

 

Watch those. I understand they are often much more abrupt than OEM, which
will make it very difficult to get a smooth shift. Your tranny bearings
will suffer reduced life in the bargain.

"Performance" clutches are OK if you're racing and expect to tear
everything apart frequently. For a daily driver that's expected to just go
and go, they appear to be a poor choice.

 

you can machine if you do the step as well. rarely done though from
what i've seen. personally, i won't machine unless badly scored.

depends on wear. it doesn't pay for a shop not to replace because they
get to sell you more and don't want to worry about returns, but truth
is, if it's in ok condition and you're doing the work yourself, there's
nothing wrong with reuse. sure, it may not last quite as long as a new
one, but on a 300k mile car, what does that matter?

 

I've noticed they come in at least three levels;hi-perf,race,and full-race.
I'd expect the race clutches to be abrupt.

 

Doesn't take much. When your OEM marcel is 1/16" and the "hi-perf" one is
1/32", take-up will be far more abrupt than you're used to. You'll have
trouble achieving a chirp-free launch.

Full-race clutches have no marcel.

 

Well, "rarely done" may mean that it's rarely done by the lower end repair
shops. It's fairly common practice in the shops that I've worked in and
others I'm familiar with. In one particular shop, we would machine the
flywheels (including the step) on our brake lathe. They came out fine. Of
course, it could also mean we used a better brake lathe than some other
places.

Eric

 

I am just getting used to the clutch on the 06 Si, which often gives me a
chirp on 1st and 2nd. Is the stock clutch for these more high-performance
than normal, or is it just my learning curve? ;-)

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 8/11/2006 1:27:20 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

A pipe gives a wise man time to think and a fool something to stick in
his mouth. -- Anonymous

 

Might be just your learning curve. A new clutch will have more of an "over-
center" feel to the pedal, which can make it difficult to achieve smooth
engagement when you're used to a part-worn clutch.

 

You can find lots of clutch kits on Ebay. About $90 bucks. Excedy made
the OEM clutch for your car. Buy the kit and change the pressure plate,
disk, and bearing. Kit should have alignment tool also.

 

Hell, it's my first manual, so I am still getting used to a clutch at
all... ;-) But I have gotten pretty smooth with it most of the time...

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 8/13/2006 4:39:47 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

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