ACT clutch engagement noise

[StingGreyMojave]

Hello fellow Jeepers, long time reader first time poster here. I have a 2022 gladiator that I recently installed a ACT clutch do to the overwhelmingly positive reviews from you guys.

Install when great other than the release bearing didn’t fit snugly in the clutch fork like the original OEM did. The first 2000 miles was problem free. The engagement felt great, smooth and quiet and I really enjoyed the feel of the heavier flywheel. I was a happy camper at that point.

Now the bad. After around 2000 miles of normal street use out of nowhere I developed a nasty groaning/rubbing sound when starting from a stop. The noise only happens when starting off from a standstill when releasing the clutch. I’ve contacted ACT and so far they claim this is normal.

I’ve reached out to the JL forum to find there are others that are experiencing the exact same issue as me. Is anyone on here experiencing this same frustrating noise?

Thanks in advance

Sponsored

 

[Nance146]

Hey man, I’m the one that commented on your video - I didn’t know you had already made a post. I’m experiencing the same thing on my truck. I’m not sure when exactly the noise started but I had the JP6-HDSS clutch installed by a local transmission shop at 11.5k miles and I’m at about 15k now. Only happens in 1st/rev from a stand still from what I can tell but that might be because that’s really when the clutch is slipping most and there’s no wind noise lol. Absolutely love the clutch but it doesn’t seem normal. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to replicate the noise while I’m under the truck but the wife doesn’t know how to drive stick and I don’t want to risk it…

Anyways, I did reach out to @ACTman in a private message to see if he had seen/heard of this issue before and to see if he had any recommendations. It’s the weekend though so I didn’t expect a response yet. I’m also following the Wrangler forum thread. I bought my clutch during the Black Friday special 2023.

 

[StingGreyMojave]

Hey there, I too have the JP6-HDSS installed and oddly enough I too bought mine during the black friday sale. Also, just like you, my noise didn't appear until about 2,000 miles of driving. The noise is both frustrating and embarrassing. On the Jeep JL forums there also is a thread on this with people experiencing this exact same issue. You should populate your video on that thread as well.

I have been in contact with ACT on this issue, hopefully we can all get a proper resolution soon.

 

[StingGreyMojave]

ACT is fully aware of what the issue is. The issue lies in the clutch disk itself. It's a bad trade of its design. ACT had to design the disk with less marcel to work with the limited stroke range of the factory OEM hydraulics. This attribute coupled with a more aggressive friction compound leads to the groaning noise. Hopefully Dirk from ACT will comment on this and explain in further detail.

 

[Birds83]

ACT is fully aware of what the issue is. The issue lies in the clutch disk itself. It's a bad trade of its design. ACT had to design the disk with less marcel to work with the limited stroke range of the factory OEM hydraulics. This attribute coupled with a more aggressive friction compound leads to the groaning noise. Hopefully Dirk from ACT will comment on this and explain in further detail.

Well I’m glad I’m seeing this prior to purchasing the ACT. I was about to pull the trigger but I guess I’ll keep hunting and trying to decided what clutch to upgrade to…

 

[PuddleJumper]

Hello fellow Jeepers, long time reader first time poster here. I have a 2022 gladiator that I recently installed a ACT clutch do to the overwhelmingly positive reviews from you guys.

Install when great other than the release bearing didn’t fit snugly in the clutch fork like the original OEM did. The first 2000 miles was problem free. The engagement felt great, smooth and quiet and I really enjoyed the feel of the heavier flywheel. I was a happy camper at that point.

Now the bad. After around 2000 miles of normal street use out of nowhere I developed a nasty groaning/rubbing sound when starting from a stop. The noise only happens when starting off from a standstill when releasing the clutch. I’ve contacted ACT and so far they claim this is normal.

I’ve reached out to the JL forum to find there are others that are experiencing the exact same issue as me. Is anyone on here experiencing this same frustrating noise?

Thanks in advance

So I drove a 6MT with the ACT clutch. Its not broken but it sure as shit sounds like it. Basically its a noise you have to live with once it fully breaks in. Or at least that's what my buddy was told. He got 500 miles out of it no noise. The current fix has been a Borla Attak exhaust. Can't hear it over exhaust now.

 

[Rahkmalla]

Basically its a noise you have to live with once it fully breaks in.

If that's the answer ACT is putting out into the world then they just lost at least one future customer.

 

[PuddleJumper]

If that's the answer ACT is putting out into the world then they just lost at least one future customer.

Sadly its not like there is much of any competition and some will live with anything to escape stock clutch issues.

 

[redriderjf87]

If that's the answer ACT is putting out into the world then they just lost at least one future customer.

Hoping ACTman will reply to this thread one way or the other.

 

[Birds83]

Hoping ACTman will reply to this thread one way or the other.

Would expect to hear from him eventually. Most people I’ve been able to find have been having good experiences with these. But this has me questioning buying one I’m in the market currently lol

 

[StingGreyMojave]

I suspect ACTman will respond at some point. I have been in contact with him and he is currently taking data and looking into this issue. Hopefully he can find a solution to our problem and take care of the ones that are affected by this.

 

[ACTman]

I am just seeing this thread. Below is from the discussion on the JL WRangler Forum when people were suggesting not to drive the car, I was sharing how common the noise is on other applications:

"For a bit of background, I did a quick search for the same/similar noise for other clutches. I was mostly looking for race applications, but I was surprised how common this is on stock vehicles with an OEM clutch. Like I said, it was just a quick google search, but here are some applications that seem to have the same issue:

Toyota with ACT 6 puck: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/act-6-puck-clutch-noise-28593/
Honda 9th Gen Civic SI stock clutch:
Mini with Stock clutch: https://www.psmini.org/forum/the-dreaded-chewbacca_topic10036.html
https://www.minitorque.com/threads/very-strange-noise-when-moving-off-from-the-clutch.12943/
Honda CRV stock clutch: https://www.civinfo.com/threads/clutch-sounds-like-a-wookie.151666/
Mazda 6 stock clutch: https://www.mazda6club.com/threads/chewbacca-noise.444525/
JL with Centerforce: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/centerforce-dual-friction-clutch-moan.58753/
Audi A4 stock clutch: https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/73405-Clutch-noise-when-pulling-away
Honda with Unknown 6 puck: https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-integra-6/new-clutch-squeaks-normal-1701277/
LS1 with Clutchmasters assembly and Centerforce clutch disc: https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-t...eal-when-slowly-engaging-your-clutch-1st.html
Supra with Tilton and Spec: https://www.supraforums.com/threads/squealing-noise-from-tilton-clutch-setup.393671/
Southbend stage 2:
GTO with Monster clutch: https://www.ls1gto.com/threads/squealing-noise-during-clutch-engagement-when-cold.638401/
Hellcat with McLeod clutch: https://community.cartalk.com/t/mcleod-clutch-squeak-squeal/163178
Honda with Action 2MD clutch: https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-integra-6/clutch-makes-very-irritable-noise-649599/
RX7 with unknown clutch: https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/clutch-squealing-when-clutching-out/35209/page1/
Civic with Spec stage 2: https://www.civicx.com/forum/threads/spec-stage-2-clutch-noise.34011/ "

 

[ACTman]

Also on that thread I shared some direction I can take to possibly alieviate the noise issue. Since I haven't experienced the issue (and most don't) I need more information:

"After seeing how many other stock applications have this issue, the "chewbacca" noise is more common that I ever thought. I have thoughts on possible design changes such as increased marcel as mentioned before, narrower friction material, smaller disc, alternative friction material (all have various tradeoffs of course), but more data is needed first.
I cannot monitor this thread all the time so if you are experiencing the noise issue, please contact me directly either by DM or email at [email protected] so we can gather more detailed information to narrow down the options. I would specifically like to know:
1. Your name and when/where the clutch was purchased?
2. How many miles have been put on the clutch when the noise began?
3. Where does the clutch engage/disengage in the pedal travel?
4. How severe is the noise? Does it occur anytime other than in first and reverse?
5. How difficult is it to avoid the noise when engaging?
6. Gearing and tire size?"

 

[Birds83]

Pulled the trigger on the ACT clutch from manufacture website. Hope will have it soon and gonna install mid next week if it shows up. ?

 

[@californiajeeping]

Do you want a clutch that is quiet but explodes and kills your family….or a little noise from a performance clutch? ?

Sponsored