UUC Direct fit performance organic issues - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

HJB1988M5 · 21st February 2006, 00:11

I recently purchased a UUC Performance organic direct fit clutch and have had some issues. Rob is very good about trying to fix it but I am concerned about the quality. First clutch labeled wrong resulting in incorrect installation. Second clutch spline installed backwards. I compared the UUC part to the factory and noted that the material used for the clutch is significatly smaller gauge. Also the spline section is .25" to .5 " smaller. Has anyone realy compared these parts and has anyone tried using the factory clutch disk with the UUC pressure plate? I am not critisizing Rob hear but I am concerned. The labor is more than the parts.

BadA$$m5 · 21st February 2006, 02:04

well ive got the same clutch i had problems with mine also.the clutch center hub was backwards.i machined .025 off the throw out bearing sleve was really no biggey. the biggest problem i have is clutch chatter it driving me crazy. it got better but its just not as smooth as stock in stop and go it just not very smooth.ive got 2000mi on the clutch now im just not that happy.im just about ready to go back to stock.

tim r

boostmiser · 21st February 2006, 02:34

hummm. I've had mine 6 months now. I had it installed by a local guy that does nothing but BMW. He said there were no problems during the install. As far as how it drives, this is what I notice: After a hard run or two, the clutch pedal gets a lot lighter/spongier. But it still grabs hard, unlike the stock clutch. I do still get some judder at low rpms in reverse and at times in first. There is some chatter in 4th gear at low rpms. None of these things are problemsome to me nor do I consider them a 'problem' at least at this time.

CSBM5 · 21st February 2006, 02:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadA$$m5

well ive got the same clutch i had problems with mine also.the clutch center hub was backwards.i machined .025 off the throw out bearing sleve was really no biggey. the biggest problem i have is clutch chatter it driving me crazy. it got better but its just not as smooth as stock in stop and go it just not very smooth.ive got 2000mi on the clutch now im just not that happy.im just about ready to go back to stock.

tim r

You may want to go with the Dinan clutch given their 20% discount on hardware sale going on right now ($1299 - 20% = $1039.20). I would bet pretty big money on not having an issue like this with the Dinan setup. I replaced mine with a new stock disc/pp and new flywheel last summer, and I'm glad I didn't go with the direct fit UUC job since the reported results have been troublesome for most who have chosen that route unfortunately.

Beamer_usa · 21st February 2006, 06:00

I almost went down the UUC direct replacement clutch route, back when it was first introduced in Sept. - Oct. 05. after reading the different posts with problems that were being encountered by various people I decided to stay with the OE setup. I realize it's only been about 6 months (knock on wood) no issues it's been smooth and strong. IMO I do not track the car and it is my daily driver, so the OE setup seems to suit me well.

EM5PWR · 21st February 2006, 06:46

gotta hate those clutch issues!!!!

Rob Levinson · 21st February 2006, 17:48

A mistake was made in fabrication. We're doing everything we can to rectify this mistake with Jack ASAP including overnight shipping of replacement parts.

On Jack's first clutch, the orientation (which side it faces) sticker was inadvertently placed on the wrong side. Nevertheless, as the clutch disk is "dished" the same way as the original M5 clutch disk and orientation, if in question, should follow OE guidelines or verified with a call to UUC tech support.

Blue5 · 22nd February 2006, 03:28

Here is my experience… I installed my UUC direct fit clutch two months ago and the shudder was unbelievable bad, noticeable only in 1^st and reverse. Finally after about 1000 miles the shudder was about 90% gone, and then all of a sudden, about two week ago at 1300 miles the clutch started to slip in higher gears! I was horrified, I took it back to the shop and they removed the clutch which was totally burnt out. I immediately called Rob at UUC and he had me take some pictures of the clutch and pressure plate etc. and thankfully it was replaced under warranty and a new one was overnighted to the shop. I had the flywheel resurfaced and the new clutch installed, (The flywheel was still in good shape BTW) and there was absolutely ZERO shudder this time around, the pedal engagement is low and precise, totally different compared to the last one. I have sent back the defective clutch to UUC and I am sure they will be analyzing it. I am not sure if the sticker on the old clutch was on the wrong side, I didn’t notice. Please note that I did not abuse the clutch in anyway I followed the break in procedure fully so there has to be a defect with the clutch assembly, perhaps the clamping force was not sufficient. I am still breaking in the new clutch so I have not had a chance to do a hard launch yet, but apart from the expense of having to install the clutch twice, so far I am PLEASED!

EM5PWR · 22nd February 2006, 04:28

at least Rob seems to be a stand up guy and backs his product..the world is far from perfect, enough said..

timber wolf · 22nd February 2006, 05:27

I just put 220 miles on my UUC Organic clutch, and here is what I noticed:
1) My tech had to send the first clutch back cause it was off center. It is smaller that stock apparently, but the material is more aggressive. My tech said it also looked like a Clutchmasters disc.
2) It shudders when being slipped in first. Not bad, and quite livable.
3) When you let off the gas, and decelerate down through 2500 rpms, the whole car shudders for about 200 rpms, then stops!!! This SUCKS.
4) Many more noises like as if a light flywheel were installed. Anoying, but a reason for an Eisenmann...

5) Grabs the way the stock clutch should: Flawlessly, with no slip.
6) Clutch pedal feel is LIGHTER, but you need to really make sure the pedal is fully depressed or you will grind gears...

I will see how it holds up. In the mean time, I like the performance, but am concerned about the odd shudder.