Broken Clutch Release Fork

[hondoctors]

I had a NSX come to the shop with the complaint that the shifter is locked out of reverse, and hard to get in to first gear. After bleeding the clutch system, and veryfying good travel at the slave cylinder, the car would not go in to gear while running. The car has a Comptech Stage 2 clutch on a 1997 6-speed trans. The symptoms resembled an Integra with a broken clutch disc. Clutch would not disengage. So after pulling the trans, I found that one arm on the release fork broke off, and was bouncing around inside the bell housing. The clutch has less than 2000 miles on it, I found this odd. It seems wierd that Honda would make the fork out of cast aluminum, without much structural webbing. Has anyone else had a fork break on them? Opinions on a possibly stiffer than normal pressure plate from Comptech?

 

[EIFFEL]

I think the previous installation/removal may have damage the clutch fork. I have never seen one break due to normal usage.

 

[hondoctors]

I think the previous installation/removal may have damage the clutch fork. I have never seen one break due to normal usage.

You were right on point. I've determined that the person who installed the trans before me, had the clutch fork set in to the pivot/retainer, and tried to force the trans on by drawing it in with the bolts. The fork made a couple nice indentations on the release bearing and inside the bell housing. It was broken from the first mile on the new Comptech clutch.