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Yes, we did a quick search.
Original clutch 126K, on our 2004 S2000 and for the first time yesterday we heard a noise I'd guess has to be described as a clutch buzz.
Found the info on replacing clutch disc.
Has anyone dealt with this issue? It seemed common in earlier model years.
Buzzing noise on deceleration, especially when using a lower gear to help slow down --- clutch buzz. Go with OEM clutch disc, for least about of issues.
The clutch is manufactured by the F.C.C. company. The S2000 utilizes a compact heavy-duty pull-type clutch, reduced in both size and mass, and reinforced with friction materials better suited to the high-RPM nature.
Honda engineers reduced the size of the clutch by eliminating the separate friction disc and replacing it with a simpler design where both friction surfaces face each other. One friction surface is attached to the flywheel face and the other to the pressure plate. A pull-type clutch mechanism separates and engages the clutch faces.
Starting in 2004 it has a unique clutch delay orifice mechanism. It delays the slave cylinder release speed when the clutch is suddenly released. This mechanism is built into the slave cylinder. Speculation is this was done to offset clutch dumping.
Clutch Springs: Some owners report Buzzing while slowing down. The complaint is that there is a "buzzing noise" on deceleration at 4000 RPM to 3000 RPM. The correction is to have the clutch disk changed. The springs in the disk help isolate the pulses from the engine during deceleration. The pulses "excite" the gears in the gear box which make the noise as they vibrate against each other. The quality of the spring isn't the issue, it is the strength of the springs that has been changed.
Clutch deceleration “buzz”: Some owner’s experienced buzzing noise from the clutch. Honda’s first attempt to resolve it was not effective, however, a second improved version became available. From the new TSB 054 dated Nov. 27, 2001: "The clutch disc listed in this service bulletin is an improved version of the counter measured disc released a year ago. Extensive testing has shown it to be quieter than any previous S2000 clutch discs. If your customer had the previous clutch disc installed but still complains of deceleration noise, install the clutch disc listed in this service bulletin.” The clutch disc is P/N 22200-PCX-055, H/C 6855126
Per Motor magazine, Aug, ‘03: Some 2000 S2000 models can give off a rather annoying buzzing sound when decelerating in 2nd or 3rd gear between 3000 and 4000 rpm. According to Honda, the noise is caused by backlash between the tranny gears, and it’s a perfectly normal situation that occurs with all manually shifted gear-boxes. What makes the noise more pronounced on the S2000, explains the Japanese car maker, is the fact that the tranny is tucked directly underneath the seats, rather than in the engine compartment, where the noise can get muffled out by the vibes of the engine. The springs in the hub of the clutch disc are supposed to help dampen the effects of backlash. But the four springs in the disc of the S2000 are apparently not up to the task, especially after the car accumulates more than 4000 miles. A new clutch disc with heartier sprigs (Part No. 22200-PCX-005) is now available to help quell some of the noise. They conclude by saying if your customer opts for the new disc, explain that it'll be slightly noisier than the original disc when new, but won't get noticeably worse over time.
Hold Clutch In or Out?: Does it matter if you hold the clutch in or out when stopped, say at a red light? No. With the pedal in: the throw out bearing is pulling on the clutch pressure plate and (in a perfect world) the clutch disk has slid on the mainshaft and pulled away from the flywheel. Possible throw out bearing wear and slight disk wear. If the mainshaft is dirty (hard to get into gear when cold) then the disk may continue to rub on the flywheel and continue to wear and create heat. With the pedal out: the throw out bearing is not rolling but the mainshaft is rolling (8+ bearings soaking in oil) (you can hear it if you pull up next to a wall and in Neutral push in and let out the clutch) and no possibility of clutch disk wear ‘cuz it is clamped. Mechanical Results: It probably doesn't matter (unless you hold your car on a hill with the clutch.)
Clutch Not Engaging When Cold: A Honda engineer suggests trying this. When you experience the problem, turn off the engine and see if it goes into gear easier. If it does then it is the clutch. The other thing you can try: With nothing in front of the car (in a level parking lot) with the engine running open the door and take your foot off of the brake. Now when putting the shifter into 1st watch the ground to see if the car creeps forward any. If it does then the clutch isn't fully disengaging. The only way to fix this is to take the transmission out and clean the splines of the mainshaft and clutch disk. The problem is that if the splines are dirty they get cleaned off when the transmission comes out which destroys the evidence of dirt/etc. on the splines.
** Believe it or not I have 234 pages of S2000 notes. I had planned to keep the car forever but Donna's inability to travel with me cut that short.
I had my clutch disc and pressure replaced in 2021. Finding a mechanic that knows how to work on S2000, is important. Uses of high-temp Honda lubricant is also important. I bought my parts off eBay, for quite a bit less than dealer prices. Photos of the parts I bought.
The feel of the clutch action has been sliky smooth. Never was this good, with the original unit. Took the mechanic 6 hours to do the complete job.
Disc from Honda dealer on left. Disc I bought off eBay on right.
Thanks for the info. I'll have Rick read through it. No noise today when he was out. Clutch is working/feeling just fine. The S2000 is a 2004, so earlier clutch buzz issues may not apply.
Thank you for posting so many details on the clutch noise.
I'm the original owner of a 2000 AP1, and it has always sounded like this. At that time, there was only one year model, so the talk was that this sound was normal. I didn't realize that it had be "fixed" by Honda in subsequent models, and perhaps even for that AP1 with replacement parts. My hydraulic clutch cylinder (?) finally wore out before 100k miles, but I think I'll wait until the clutch wears out to get that sound "fixed." It's just so much a part of the S2000 for me,
Clutch Buzz
