I have a 89 crx w/ a 1995 JDM type R b18 motor w/ a 1992 Cable style tranny. I am running an ACT xtreme pp w/ street disc, and a clutchmasters flywheel. I have backed the flywheel bolts out of the flywheel wheel twice now, and I am getting sick of pulling this tranny. I used to run a Mueller fabrications clutch set up, and never had any problems. When I went w/ the ACT, and the CM flywheel, the first time the flywheel came loose within 100 miles, and this next time it did in under 5 miles. Immage my rage, 2 tranny pulls---and it still isn't working right. I torqued the flywheel bolts to the foot pounds specified in my Helm Mechanics manual, and I also used thread lock on the bolts. The first time I installed the flywheel, I did not use thread lock, but 3 different "mechanics" recommended that I use blue lock tight.

I ordered the clutch to fit the 92 cable tranny, and the CM flywheel was meant for a 92-2000 1.8.

So where do I go from here? Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Scott

 

Why are you torqueing the flywheel bolts down to?


I've seen people misread the torque specs in the Helms and only torque them down to 17 lbs. Whichs is wrong. I wanna say its like 75 lbs, but I'm not sure (been a while since I've instaleld a flywheel & clutch). Anyways. Make sure you are torqueing it right, and use the lock tite if you need to (I never have for the flywheel atleast.) Also next time you drop the tranny check the threads on the crank (where the flywheels bolts to.) Look for them being worn out or stripped. You may also wanna replace the pilot bearing since a lot of stress is on that when the flywheel isn't on right, it may of gotten messed up.

 

I'm pretty sure it's 80ft/lbs. Also make sure you are securing the crank solidly when torquing those bolts to make sure you get accurate torque numbers. I just put my CM flywheel on about a month ago and it's been about 1000 miles now without any probelms. You also might want to consider replacing the 12 point bolts that hold the flywheel to the crank. The Helm's doesn't recommend you replace them, but if yours have stretched, that might by they are coming loose? Good luck. Seeya.

 

Thanks for the advice....the first time I installed the flywheel, we torqued to 80ft pounds (as instructed by a local honda mechanic) and when that broke loose, I stepped the torque up to 90ft ibs, and used the locktight....... After the first time the flywheel came loose, I bought all new flywheel bolts, b/c they were so damaged.....I will probably pull the tranny tonight, and see if where the bolts bolt in is damaged. I appreciate eveyone's discussion----THANKS---and wish me luck....3rd time is a charm....

 

we have had alot of problems witht he CM/Fidanza flywheel and the bolts coming out

take the flywheel off and look at the bolt holes. the bolt holes in our flywheel had elongated and some of the aluminum on the flywheel under the bolt wore away.

we are sticking to chromoly flywheels now. we just installed a toda flywheel. we hope it works better

 

This is interesting. My roomate and I both have CM/Fidanza wheels and haven't had problems, but I'm worried that it might happen now. Is CM/Fidanza doing anything about the problem?

 

not that i know of....

when the first one broke we thought it was a fluke but now that we have 3 we arent so sure....

they may be perfectly fine for a daily driver but just couldnt handle roadracing.

 

I'm just wondering if it's going to handle the nitrous I'm about to throw at it....I guess we'll find out :P As the age old saying goes..."if you're not breaking parts, you're not going fast enough"

 

This might help in terms of diagnosis: The first time my bolts backed out I had about 100 miles on the car (w/ little drag racing)......I had a bad rear motor mount however, and this allowed much of the torque to be transfered throughout the vehicle as the motor flopped around. When the bolts finally did back out, I replaced my bad mount w/ a Place Racing (which I have been happy with)---- With my new mount, and bolts re-torqued the flywheel bolts backed out in less than 5 miles. THe motor was very solid in the engine bay, and the car was running great...the only down side----the bolts backed out so quickly---Could the now stable motor transfer the extra torque where it is supposed to go---and hence the bolts back out quicker. This pattern leads me to believe that the flywheel can't handle the torque (can you belive that--not being able to handle the torque on a honda I am almost positive that the flywheel is the problem---for the money you pay for the damn thing---I think it is worth just sticking w/ stock....let me know what you guys think the next step should be...I am voting on going back to stock.....(or buying a mustang) <--all this tranny work must be driving me crazy!!!

 

WOWWWW There partna. Let's not do anything to irrational!

Good info on the Fidanza and CM combo!
Rather interesting that the Fidanza flywheel could be the problem though; doesn't Fidanza make the Stock Hond flywheels?