DDM CLUTCH UPGRADE-hindsight & helpful hints -pearls

[zzzybil]

DDM clutch is on its way.......... yep the razzle dazzle special just for us !!

anyone have any input , advice , hints or suggestions.....
instructional pearls of wisdom ??

i'm assuming whatever the "special tools" requirement - its not specific to this ((1 )) car ?? is it.... ( yep i have the mechanic who asks where did i come up with this ? )..he stuck with me thick n thin building whatever i read online so far -->.i can hardly wait to show him the clutch.- i'm thinkin ->.piece of cake for all my past brain farts ...and adventures-

i'm sure he has clutch tools .
.. my job is to provide a break in boredom from the soccer moms cars
have alll the pieces parts , supplies etc - supervise lifting and cheer him on - make like i know stuff -
and surprise him /myself with the stuff i do know . THE STUFF I'VE LEARNED HERE @ HPTUNERS.... and surfin virtual reality

curious what is the general consensus on choice of replacement fluid ?- oem , synthetic or is the oem fluid synthetic.... speak now... thats the only big decision lacking in my plan - least ways all i can think of CAN'T BE THAT COMPLICATED - but i don't have it yet so ???

i'm not aware of any one time use bolts or whatever - that i should have on hand - kinda assume if there was it'd be offerred by ddm ..lol...
if there is ...speak now ( link and part # if yuh got it)

i'm torn on the slave cylinder ( if its not a wear item and it ain't broke ) has everyone who has upgraded replaced it ??

seems some have replaced some line or upgraded some part of the connection - maybe gm upgraded later ?? can't remember...... what that was prone to leak ??? or what was suggested
again a part # or link would be appreciated- i hate guessing

pretty excited finally some progress on something i want
1 baby wedding , the other off to college - squeezing this in quick b4 XMAS kicks my butt ....

if the no slave cylinder is a mistake - ( not replacing it ) feel free to beat me down on that - shopped and $160 for i think the right part (that only has 13k miles on it ) and is NOT a wear item on it seems like something of a waste of $$..

..actually thinking upgrade brake lines - no clue but wondering if brake fluid is shared seems that would make sense - or is that 2 totally different jobs ? draining clutch - would that drain brakes too ?? don't they share fluid ?? or am i confused .....
.....trying to do the forethought thing.... and ignorance is not bliss.........no doubt after the fact - i'll have learned something that would be nice to know NOW........so your thoughts ?

i'm pretty sure the clutch will be a 6-8 hr job - depending on interuptions...
or complications ..lol..
if the brake lines are a major ordeal - totally separate project better saved for another day - tell me........i'm not looking to over complicate the day - but if we're there anyways ??? i'm thinking if brake line upgrade is plug and play no biggie -that might be a good idea-

just don't have a clue how time consuming..... or.....more impotant PIA FACTOR for brake line upgrade- anyone done that care to share simple swap or knuckle bustin adventure ?????????


soooooo lotta questions - i know

the clutch delivery is due tues but since i go back to work wed - it'll be at least a week b4 i can shedule install - time for everyone to get their or
the slave cylinder ??? forgot to ask when i had dave / mike on phone
if everyone else has - i guess i could be swayed - if dave has everytime - i could be swayed....
otherwise i'm saving those two bills toward something else - like braided steel brake line - still time to order that
or sticky tires ..hahahaha i want them BAD BAD too....
very excited ,ordered the dang thing 2 weeks ago -didn't realise custom job / cut to order - more bling yuh can't see ....oh well if its quiet and holds up to me and autox....
it'll be here in a few - going to be a long week waiting to get it in !!!!!
the pot of coffee is gone - enuff jabberrin

[King-Oka]

Issues with clutches as I know it, is that any aftermarket clutch offering I've seen appear to be more agressive and harder to engage smoothly. I already fight the stock clutch on soft start, so am reluctant to go to a sturdier clutch, although the DDM Stage 2 setup nearly demands it if you're gonna push it. I know mine is going, but have not read any really positive reviews on any aftermarket clutches, so am procrastinating.

Wish you lots of luck zzzybil. Let us know how it goes.

[Ivan Love]

On My Sky The Bake And Clutch Master Are Both One In The Same. There Is No Bleeding The Clutch Since The Slave Is In The Tranny. Good Luck

[Ivan Love]

Us DDM blue brake fluid, that is what I used on my brake upgrade. Could not bleed the clutch, so ended up with a little mixing of fluids. I would do the fluid, line and pads at the same time as the clutch.

[zzzybil]

Originally Posted by Ivan Love Us DDM blue brake fluid, that is what I used on my brake upgrade. Could not bleed the clutch, so ended up with a little mixing of fluids. I would do the fluid, line and pads at the same time as the clutch.

did you do the brake line upgrade yourself- if so on a 1-10 difficult , pain in butt or simple ez breezee - HOW LONG did it take you ??

i didn't know yuh don't have to change fluid to change clutch
( learning already)
ONLY- thought about it cuz i thought changing fluid would be part of the process and might as well swap lines if we had to drain the juice anyway..
since there's no fluid to drain - so much for that brain fart -

[King-Oka]

bump - ZZZBIL - Where u at with this?

[Ivan Love]

I had my machanic do the work. He installed new F3 shocks and springs, I bought from ICS and a DDM Stage II brake kit at the same time. Shocks, springs, steel brake lines, slotted rotors, pads and the blue brake fluid. It took around 5 hours as I recall.

[zzzybil]

Originally Posted by King-Oka bump - ZZZBIL - Where u at with this?

FRIDAY WAS THE BIG DAY ---------->back to square ONE on monday -
the job seemed straight forward enuff at 1st - seemed to be moving along fine....... special tools check ..

... find a right size plastic alignment tool thats not included - ( dig thru 2 boxes and yay find one !!!) if your shop has not changed a zillion clutches that might be an issue ) check..

.... moving along just FINE ...

.. looking at OEM compared to new and the oem springs wayyyyy bigger...&. oem "friction pad" slightly smaller but the oem definitely meater heavy duty compared to the new aluminum stage 3... NOT CONVINCED saving a few pounds is going to be optimum option for me- of course i didn't know that till lunch

kinda felt sick @ lunch - boss is of opinion aluminum is prone to warping /whoppin coming apart if overheated - and shows me where he thinks it will come apart... where the similar old school aluminum fancies failed ..... he is not impressed i'm now worried and he trys to make me feel better telling me maybe its special aluminum - hahaha yeah

autox and me is receipe for overheating - especially since there is always another driver ! - trying my best to keep positive check

about 6 hours and almost DONE and we're suckin air out and filling reservoir...check and pedal feel -> FAIL ....suck more air and keep filling - no joy

finally 3 mechanics in conference and i'm like - rut rowwww...stick my finger in mystery appearing & growing puddle @ my feet - uhhhhh guys this can't be good !!!

close inspection and fluid is pumping out slave cylinder THANK GOD ITS A NEW ONE FROM DEALERSHIP - OR NO DOUBT I'D HAVE BEEN STRUNG UP AND LYNCHED

boss asks was stack height equal oem and new clutch ???? uhhhhh ???..i dunno - translation lord help me if its not
gerome did you see any special instructions ????? NO.....no spacers or washers ??? uhhhhhh NO-
..he's now on phone with dealership fussin bout slave cylinder - i'm feeling SICK - like crying its closing time and thats a wrap

big plan of fri night cruise / break it in - not happenin - going to beer hut and home to drown my sorrow

good news was randy actually answered the phone friday evening about 6pm - and WHEWWWWW - YES he says STACK HEIGHT ( from crank to throw out is the same ) no special spacers or special instructions - simple bolt on says same as on his car .......randy says check hose and o ring @ slave cylinder ...
...boss says it was pumpin out at that lil square notch point on slave cylinder ??? i call him back and leave voice mail about o ring and no spacers / same stack height

allllllllllll i know is thank god i had slave replaced....and it came from dealership NOT EBAY.... hopefully its something simple as an o ring or hose?? - either way it was a big job that needs REDO........
fingers crossed simple fix

i'm thinkin my chances of catching a break on labor .....not happenin..... successful resolution fairly quick is my HOPE.......

[King-Oka]

Ouch - good luck!

[Yogi]

WOW, Zzzybil!! So this means that you have to pull the tranny again and start over?

What a nightmare!

[zzzybil]

Originally Posted by Yogi WOW, Zzzybil!! So this means that you have to pull the tranny again and start over? What a nightmare!

...if you're trying to make me feel better IT AIN"T WORKIN !!

well lets just call it a crushing disappointment

.. it's not going to be a light hearted event....
unless the fix is quick - readily apparent- something simple

.... instant replay is what i envision ........not looking forward to it but it should go quicker the 2nd time.......

i hope the dayum stack height is the same no doubt thats going to be a scrutiny issue ->
.randy says it is sooooooo thats a relief -

- absolutely no fun till we figure out whats wrong.....

i'm looking @ my service manual pictures/ instructions -that alone is scary and i'm not seeing o ring-( randy mentioned )
but i'll bring it along ...lol...let them lookit the pics - that ought fluff their feathers - get us off to a lovely start

worse case scenario is its not justa hose / o ring and after pullin it apart a 2nd time or not something obvious

then yes tee totally could turn into ((NIGHTMARE)) what then ?????? idk

stuck EITHER waiting on another slave cylinder ( ASSUME THIS ONE IS DEFECTIVE ? ) - took a week to get this one - OR WHAT ?? PUT THE ORIGINAL BACK IN ??? that would be a dilemma

[Yogi]

I feel your pain!

At some point (maybe recently) there was a redesign of the joint where the hydraulic hose attaches to the slave cylinder. Evidently the original design was prone to breakage/failure. Maybe you have the old design?

I wish that I had more info or a thread that I could point you to but I don't. Good luck!

Yogi

[zzzybil]

Originally Posted by Yogi I feel your pain! At some point (maybe recently) there was a redesign of the joint where the hydraulic hose attaches to the slave cylinder. Evidently the original design was prone to breakage/failure. Maybe you have the old design? I wish that I had more info or a thread that I could point you to but I don't. Good luck! Yogi

guess i need small dealer to find it - any clues where to look / who to ask

[Randy@ddmworks]

Originally Posted by zzzybil guess i need small dealer to find it - any clues where to look / who to ask

this should be the correct part #24236218 for the flexhose

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by zzzybil guess i need small dealer to find it - any clues where to look / who to ask

It was in one of 4 forums:
skyroadster.com
solsticeforum.com
kappaperformance.com
solstice-forum.com

Prolly in the drivetrain section and most likely solsticeforum.com.

Wish that I could be more help!

Sorry!

Yogi