# My official "beware of buying anything from Spec Clutch" thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Vendor Marketplace\ **Created:** [October 26, 2011, 6:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819 "2011-10-26T06:29:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bracketracer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bracketracer/32/15592_2.png) [@bracketracer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bracketracer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:29am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/1 "2011-10-26T06:29:20Z")
Here is the story. New customer with a 997 S. Needs a clutch, and is planning on doing a few mods down the road, so started researching options. Southbend didn’t have anything ready to ship, but Spec did. So, ordered a Stage 1 clutch, ground shipping. Pulled the transmission, cleaned everything up nicely, had the flywheel turned, and installed the clutch. Trans back in, everything went together perfectly, no hiccups. Didn’t even need to bleed the slave, since you just remove the slave with the line attached. Started the car in the air, no problem, everything felt good. Topped off coolant, and buttoned everything up underneath. Put the car on the ground, pushed the clutch in, selected first, and turned the key. At that point, the car lurched forward. Ok, that was odd. Turned it off. Pumped the pedal a few times, but shifter in neutral, and started the car. Tried to select first, engine running, and couldn’t move the stick. Great. For some reason, the clutch isn’t disengaging. Raised the car back up. Pulled the slave off the transmission and checked the pushrod. No problems. Looked in at the release fork. Also no problems. Reinstalled the slave, and bled it out just in case. Still having the same problem. Pulled the transmission yet again. Checked throwout bearing. No problem. Looked at the diaphragm springs on the pressure plate. Yep, obvious that the bearing was contacting them. Pulled the pressure plate and disc, and started looking. Here is what we found. Notice the riveted “block” at the lower part of the edge of the pressure plate. ![https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1TVgroEqd5M/Tqb5GBzqWyI/AAAAAAABFU0/v8PAxgLnilA/s800/2011-10-25%25252012.03.11.jpg](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1TVgroEqd5M/Tqb5GBzqWyI/AAAAAAABFU0/v8PAxgLnilA/s800/2011-10-25%25252012.03.11.jpg) Notice the burnt spot on the flywheel ![https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iH7Aag2P0Bk/TqgCua5iQEI/AAAAAAABFWU/napIbFt4JpU/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.42.45.jpg](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iH7Aag2P0Bk/TqgCua5iQEI/AAAAAAABFWU/napIbFt4JpU/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.42.45.jpg) ![https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3mGIfHrRDHY/TqgCi9pzQ_I/AAAAAAABFWE/jYIcJUzqV3Y/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.43.15.jpg](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3mGIfHrRDHY/TqgCi9pzQ_I/AAAAAAABFWE/jYIcJUzqV3Y/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.43.15.jpg) Pressure plate again ![https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SLFFkRbpZxo/TqgCYgaC7XI/AAAAAAABFVw/T3bwyxtpgBk/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.44.02.jpg](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SLFFkRbpZxo/TqgCYgaC7XI/AAAAAAABFVw/T3bwyxtpgBk/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.44.02.jpg) on-edge view of the riveted block ![https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ESmalfMdi6M/TqgCTCKCbjI/AAAAAAABFVo/N7xNwijnboI/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.44.16.jpg](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ESmalfMdi6M/TqgCTCKCbjI/AAAAAAABFVo/N7xNwijnboI/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.44.16.jpg) Disc showing burnt outer edge ![https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_QBT04caplE/TqgBtaHWmAI/AAAAAAABFVY/J9PID_3s2iE/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.45.24.jpg](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_QBT04caplE/TqgBtaHWmAI/AAAAAAABFVY/J9PID_3s2iE/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.45.24.jpg) ![https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gx5aq5ndyRs/TqgBdb5p88I/AAAAAAABFVA/b0_qsKqfa_Q/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.45.58.jpg](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gx5aq5ndyRs/TqgBdb5p88I/AAAAAAABFVA/b0_qsKqfa_Q/s800/2011-10-26%25252008.45.58.jpg) So, I question the riveted block thing. It’s actually loose, floating. I call Jeremy at Spec and describe the problem and tell him that I also have pictures. So, I email him the first picture, and he calls back 10 minutes later. He says that part should not be there and that it should have been removed before shipping. It’s some sort of an assembly guide/gauge. So he’s going to issue an RMA for this plate, and send me a new one. Fine. I’m not even asking for reimbursement for extra labor, and just want this car off my rack. In the next email, he says that it’s ready to go, UPS ground shipping. I email back saying that since it was admittedly a problem with their part, could they please expedite shipping? I even said that 2nd day was ok, rather than overnight. His response was no, since that’s how I ordered the kit in the first place. Here is the rest of the email exchange: **From spec:** Since the original order was shipped via ground that it the method we would cover. If you want to pay the difference between this and the cost of your selected method I can do that. The disc and flywheel should be fine. **From me:** Ok, here’s my issue. I have one of my 3 racks tied up due to a manufacturing defect by you folks. I’ve got x hours of extra labor tied up for the same reason. I’m not even asking for labor to be covered. However, I would expect for future business sake, that you guys could spring for a shipping solution that will get this job turned around in a reasonable amount of time. If that’s not possible, please issue an RMA for the entire kit, as I can have another solution shipped to me tomorrow. **From spec:** I understand where you are coming from, and I also understand our policies. I have offered to build and ship a kit to you and if this doesn’t work then I will issue an RMA and you can send the parts back to us. I would handle this the same way for any customer, because it is our policy. Let me know how you wish to proceed. **From me:** Seriously? You’re balking on spending an extra 30 bucks in this situation where the fault is clearly in Spec’s lap? If that’s the final word, then yes, issue an RMA for the complete kit. I’ll have it boxed up and will ship it out tomorrow, and will never buy from or recommend Spec to another customer. **From spec:** I am sorry that you feel this way. I have offered to assist you within our policies and procedures. This isn’t a Jeremy rule…it is a SPEC rule and though I am the manager here I have already spoken with the owners about this. I am doing what I can. I will email you an RMA and you will be credited for the parts when they are returned. Good luck and let me know if you need anything else. So with all of that said, I recommend against buying anything from this company, as their manufacturing processes are obviously suspect, and their customer service is the worst I’ve experienced in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Shockwave179](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shockwave179/32/7496_2.png) [@Shockwave179](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shockwave179)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/2 "2011-10-26T06:32:56Z")
This isn’t surprising at all. People in the LSx world have had terribly shity luck with Spec products. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:34am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/3 "2011-10-26T06:34:14Z")
I dont know what i’m looking at!!! However, i can read, and that sucks. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/4 "2011-10-26T06:36:17Z")
lol where is jt76 ---
**Author:** ![jt76](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jt76/32/5100_2.png) [@jt76](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jt76)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/5 "2011-10-26T06:39:17Z")
orly?? My first spec 3 was shitty and the springs popped out, but it was older so i figured i might as well upgrade. After listening to SPEC’s propaganda, they assured me that their new 3 clutches were redesigned and much better… fast forward a couple months, and 3k miles (no burnouts, no track, a couple rolls, broken in properly etc) ![http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/Resampled952011-07-019519-02-3595982.jpg](http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/Resampled952011-07-019519-02-3595982.jpg) ![http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/Resampled952011-07-019519-03-0195927.jpg](http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/Resampled952011-07-019519-03-0195927.jpg) ![http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/Resampled952011-07-019519-03-2295415.jpg](http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/Resampled952011-07-019519-03-2295415.jpg) ![http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/2011-07-019519-10-3695217.jpg](http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/2011-07-019519-10-3695217.jpg) Here was the culprit - appears to be a weight off the pressure plate ![http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/0702110139.jpg](http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g259/stanggang1892/0702110139.jpg) Bell housing destroyed, need a new clutch. Went to SPEC looking for answers, SPEC told me i must have done something wrong and to F-O ---
**Author:** ![BadnewsMike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/badnewsmike/32/7419_2.png) [@BadnewsMike](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BadnewsMike)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/6 "2011-10-26T06:40:54Z")
I have to say i love southbend. i had an issue with my first clutch install with them and they where willing and able to bend over backwards for me. sucks they didnt have what you needed for that car. I actually need to upgrade the tdi again the stage2+ endurance isnt holding anymore 😕 ---
**Author:** ![bracketracer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bracketracer/32/15592_2.png) [@bracketracer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bracketracer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/7 "2011-10-26T06:41:27Z")
Holy crap. Yep, much worse damage than I dealt with. And again, this over the difference between UPS ground and 2nd day shipping. Serious POS company. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/8 "2011-10-26T06:43:19Z")
That’s unreal. ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/9 "2011-10-26T06:45:22Z")
Shit this makes me want to pull the Spec outta my C5. EEK ---
**Author:** ![dftsilvia](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dftsilvia/32/7447_2.png) [@dftsilvia](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/dftsilvia)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/10 "2011-10-26T06:46:23Z")
there are so many threads like this in every 240 forum, from sr,ka,rb hell even the lsx guys and the guys wit the jz engines. spec seems to just suck. their product and obviously their customer service sucks too ---
**Author:** ![jt76](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jt76/32/5100_2.png) [@jt76](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/jt76)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/11 "2011-10-26T06:49:56Z")
After reading your e mail exchange, you received much less attitude than I did. I simply asked for a new pressure plate etc. I didn’t ask for my bell housing and starter to be replaced (a used T56 bell housing for an LS1 is right around $150 and a re-man starter is around $200) even though they were destroyed/damaged by THEIR shitty product. I have a friend that is going to the SEMA and PRI shows and he deals with SPEC. He is going to try to get the issue resolved in person. The car is currently apart for a build so i guess i can wait. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/12 "2011-10-26T06:51:25Z")
I’d wait for this thread to get a few hundred views then forward it back to Jeremy and suggest he share it with the owner. Great way to lose a ton of potential business over $30 in shipping. I know I’ll never buy one after seeing how the company stood behind the product. ---
**Author:** ![Haenszel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e68b1a/32.png) [@Haenszel](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Haenszel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 6:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/13 "2011-10-26T06:53:41Z")
They’ve had a terrible track record for a long long time. ---
**Author:** ![Mike93](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike93/32/7325_2.png) [@Mike93](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mike93)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:01am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/14 "2011-10-26T07:01:42Z")
Damn, that is seriously weak on their part. I have had a Spec 2 in my Mustang since ~2002 and have had no isssues at all…this was at a time when their reputation was Solid in Mustangworld, perhaps over time their standards have slipped:gotme: ---
**Author:** ![bracketracer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bracketracer/32/15592_2.png) [@bracketracer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bracketracer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/15 "2011-10-26T07:07:16Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > I’d wait for this thread to get a few hundred views then forward it back to Jeremy and suggest he share it with the owner. > > Great way to lose a ton of potential business over $30 in shipping. I know I’ll never buy one after seeing how the company stood behind the product. I will do exactly that after my account gets credited. Shipping back today, so we’ll see how it goes. ---
**Author:** ![38stang](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/38stang/32/7479_2.png) [@38stang](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/38stang)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/16 "2011-10-26T07:13:18Z")
I’ve had 3 clutchs from Spec, a 1, 2, and now a 3 and all have been good. This spring they sent me the wrong disc and it took awhile to get the replacement. Their customer service wasn’t the best but I’ve had no issue with their product. ---
**Author:** ![livin4hockey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@livin4hockey](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/livin4hockey)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:43am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/17 "2011-10-26T07:43:52Z")
> [@JayS](#): > > I’d wait for this thread to get a few hundred views then forward it back to Jeremy and suggest he share it with the owner. > > Great way to lose a ton of potential business over $30 in shipping. I know I’ll never buy one after seeing how the company stood behind the product. :word: > [@bracketracer](#): > > I will do exactly that after my account gets credited. Shipping back today, so we’ll see how it goes. Good, nothing pisses me off more than shitty customer service and bullshit responses on even shittier policies. ---
**Author:** ![Geehee](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/geehee/32/7238_2.png) [@Geehee](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Geehee)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:47am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/18 "2011-10-26T07:47:55Z")
Losing a customer over $30? I’ve handed out more than that, for less, almost daily. Piss poor service. ---
**Author:** ![brilliantyellowg60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6f9a4e/32.png) [@brilliantyellowg60](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/brilliantyellowg60)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:52am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/19 "2011-10-26T07:52:04Z")
ive never heard a good thing about a spec clutch ---
**Author:** ![yamba6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/yamba6/32/5161_2.png) [@yamba6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/yamba6)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2011, 7:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819/20 "2011-10-26T07:57:18Z")
Well I know now who not to order from. If I’m going to buy anything, I like knowing that if you have any issues that were based from the company you got the part from, they try to make up for the problems you had to face. If they are unwilling to do anything, like this situation… It shows that they dont give a shit to have returning customers or the will to make things right. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/my-official-beware-of-buying-anything-from-spec-clutch-thread/217819.md?page=2)