The_big_dill
Greenie N00B Member
Hi all,
Not sure if this is the correct area to post, but I wanted to share my experience with ACT (Advanced Clutch Technology) for anyone else shopping for a clutch.
I will start with the TL;DR:
The only positive note I can share regarding ACT is that they are pleasant to speak to on the phone.
I gave up on the brand after I replaced my pressure plate with a "pseudo-warranty": Open box parts, had to pay for half. And guess what, its been making noise since the warranty replacement and is in need of service again soon.
Warranty: Dishonest
Longevity: low
Performance: Good, if you like your car sounding like a diesel.
Background:
Early in 2019, I purchased an ACT HD (6 puck) kit with the "streetlite" flywheel for my build. By the summer, the build was done. Everything installed smoothly and running great for about 3 months... Then it went south. Note: I am on stock turbo, so not pushing big numbers.
After what seemed like just the break in period, my clutch pedal started vibrating. When I pressed the clutch, the vibrations were "absorbed"; meaning, it was very likely to do with the pressure plate fingers.
After pulling the transmission, 1 of the fingers were loose! This translated to a vibrating pedal, as expected. See here:
Confirming that it was in-fact the pressure plate, ACT were willing to warranty the pressure plate with a few caveats. Problem 1: That model was discontinued and no parts to repair. Problem 2: the "new" revision of the ACT pressure plate that was in stock was NOT compatible with the flywheel I had... This means that they will warranty the PP, but I have to pay for another flywheel and clutch combo if I want to use the new PP. With my car on the hoist and the transmission out, this was my cheapest option.
Receiving the replacement "Warranty" clutch kit, I find all of the components removed from their original packaging - As if it were an open box item. This is concerning as it was not disclosed, especially since this replacement kit came with no new hardware unlike the original kit!
Once again, out of options, I crossed my fingers and installed the kit with the old hardware.
I thought my headaches would be over but once again, there are problems... Pedal vibration came back after a week of driving and the throw out bearing sounds like an un-greased mousewheel (this may be unrelated to the clutch kit).
Ofcourse there could be an element of installation involved in this failure, however, I have replaced a handful of clutches on Mazdas (proteges and 3s) as well as other cars and its ONLY ACT that has given me repeated problems.
ACT did not offer to cover the labor costs involved, even though they agreed to cover the PP under warranty. Nor did they reply to me when I reached out about problems with the replacement parts.
Speaking to owners of other platforms who have used ACT: 100% of them would NOT buy again.
I hope this gives some perspective to other shoppers. I could just be very unlucky, but paying for parts under warranty is a little unjustified.
Thanks for reading!
Not sure if this is the correct area to post, but I wanted to share my experience with ACT (Advanced Clutch Technology) for anyone else shopping for a clutch.
I will start with the TL;DR:
The only positive note I can share regarding ACT is that they are pleasant to speak to on the phone.
I gave up on the brand after I replaced my pressure plate with a "pseudo-warranty": Open box parts, had to pay for half. And guess what, its been making noise since the warranty replacement and is in need of service again soon.
Warranty: Dishonest
Longevity: low
Performance: Good, if you like your car sounding like a diesel.
Background:
Early in 2019, I purchased an ACT HD (6 puck) kit with the "streetlite" flywheel for my build. By the summer, the build was done. Everything installed smoothly and running great for about 3 months... Then it went south. Note: I am on stock turbo, so not pushing big numbers.
After what seemed like just the break in period, my clutch pedal started vibrating. When I pressed the clutch, the vibrations were "absorbed"; meaning, it was very likely to do with the pressure plate fingers.
After pulling the transmission, 1 of the fingers were loose! This translated to a vibrating pedal, as expected. See here:
Confirming that it was in-fact the pressure plate, ACT were willing to warranty the pressure plate with a few caveats. Problem 1: That model was discontinued and no parts to repair. Problem 2: the "new" revision of the ACT pressure plate that was in stock was NOT compatible with the flywheel I had... This means that they will warranty the PP, but I have to pay for another flywheel and clutch combo if I want to use the new PP. With my car on the hoist and the transmission out, this was my cheapest option.
Receiving the replacement "Warranty" clutch kit, I find all of the components removed from their original packaging - As if it were an open box item. This is concerning as it was not disclosed, especially since this replacement kit came with no new hardware unlike the original kit!
Once again, out of options, I crossed my fingers and installed the kit with the old hardware.
I thought my headaches would be over but once again, there are problems... Pedal vibration came back after a week of driving and the throw out bearing sounds like an un-greased mousewheel (this may be unrelated to the clutch kit).
Ofcourse there could be an element of installation involved in this failure, however, I have replaced a handful of clutches on Mazdas (proteges and 3s) as well as other cars and its ONLY ACT that has given me repeated problems.
ACT did not offer to cover the labor costs involved, even though they agreed to cover the PP under warranty. Nor did they reply to me when I reached out about problems with the replacement parts.
Speaking to owners of other platforms who have used ACT: 100% of them would NOT buy again.
I hope this gives some perspective to other shoppers. I could just be very unlucky, but paying for parts under warranty is a little unjustified.
Thanks for reading!
