Exedy OE 2011-2015 Ford Mustang V8 Clutch Kit

Exedy FMK1026 is an OE-replacement clutch kit for the 2011-2015 Ford Mustang V8 with the six-speed manual. It is the kit to buy when a 5.0 Mustang GT has started slipping, chattering or engaging high on the pedal and the goal is to put it back to factory feel and holding power, not to build a race clutch. Exedy's OE line is meant to drive like the part the car left the factory with.

What the clutch does in a 2011-2015 Mustang V8

Ford paired the 5.0L Coyote V8 in these cars with the Getrag-designed MT82 six-speed manual. A single dry disc sits between the flywheel and the pressure plate, and a hydraulic concentric slave cylinder mounted on the transmission input acts as the release bearing. When you press the pedal the slave pushes on the pressure plate diaphragm and frees the disc; when you let off, the diaphragm clamps the disc to the flywheel and the Coyote's torque passes to the MT82. A worn disc, a weak diaphragm or a leaking slave all show up as problems at the pedal.

Because it is an OE-style kit, FMK1026 is a good fit for stock and lightly modified cars. If the engine has a supercharger or big power adders, an upgraded clutch such as the SPEC Stage 2+ for 9-bolt cars or the McLeod Street Pro is the better match.

Symptoms of a worn Mustang GT clutch

• RPM climbs in fourth, fifth or sixth under hard throttle without the car accelerating
• Engagement point moves to the very top of the pedal stroke
• Shudder or chatter when leaving a stop, especially in reverse or on an incline
• Pedal that sticks to the floor, feels soft or will not return, often a failing concentric slave
• Fluid on the bellhousing or a falling clutch fluid level
• Grind going into first or reverse because the clutch does not fully disengage

How to confirm before you buy

Separate the clutch from the gearbox. The MT82 has its own reputation for notchy or hard shifts when cold, and that is a transmission complaint, not a worn clutch. A slipping clutch shows as rpm running away from road speed under load; to test it, roll into full throttle in fourth from about 2,000 rpm. A clutch that will not release shows as grinding into gear with the engine running but clean shifts with it off. Check for fluid at the bellhousing seam too, because a leaking slave also contaminates the new disc. Our slipping diagnosis guide covers the load test in more depth.

Fitment

The listing covers the 2011-2015 Ford Mustang V8. That range spans two body styles: the 2011-2014 S197 and the first year of the 2015 S550. SPEC notes that GT and Boss cars built from March 2011 use a 9-bolt clutch cover while earlier cars used a 6-bolt cover, so an early 2011 build date or a replaced flywheel can change what fits. The Shelby GT500 of these years used a TR-6060 transmission and is not the car this kit targets. Check the bolt pattern on your existing flywheel and pressure plate, or send us your VIN and build date before ordering. More parts for these cars are in our rebuild kits collection.

Install notes

• Check the box contents against the parts you remove. If your kit does not include a release bearing, replace the concentric slave with the Exedy BRG0186 slave cylinder and release bearing; it is cheap insurance with the transmission out.
• Resurface the flywheel or replace it if it is cracked, heat spotted or past spec.
• Use an alignment tool, tighten the pressure plate bolts evenly in a crisscross pattern to factory torque and lightly grease the input splines.
• Look for rear main seal and input seal leaks before reassembly.
• Bleed the clutch hydraulics after the slave is installed and confirm full release before driving.
• Avoid hard launches for the first few hundred miles while the disc beds in.

Want a lighter rotating assembly while it is apart? The Exedy lightweight 8-bolt flywheel is listed for these V8 cars.

Which Mustangs does Exedy FMK1026 fit?

The listing covers the 2011-2015 Ford Mustang V8 with the manual transmission. Because Ford changed from a 6-bolt to a 9-bolt clutch cover in March 2011, confirm your build date or send us your VIN.

Is this an upgrade clutch?

No. It is an OE-replacement kit built to restore factory feel and capacity. For a supercharged or heavily modified car, choose a Stage 2 or twin-disc clutch instead.

Should I replace the slave cylinder too?

Yes. The concentric slave is the release bearing on this car and must come out with the transmission anyway. If your kit does not include one, Exedy BRG0186 is listed for the 2011-2015 GT.

Does it fit the Shelby GT500?

The GT500 of these years used a TR-6060 transmission rather than the MT82, so it is not the car this kit is aimed at. Send your VIN if you are unsure.

My MT82 is hard to shift when cold. Will a new clutch fix it?

Not if the clutch is releasing fully. Cold notchiness is a transmission behavior. A new clutch fixes slipping, chatter and incomplete release.

Do I need to resurface the flywheel?

Yes, or replace it. A new disc on a glazed or heat-spotted flywheel can chatter or slip from day one.

• Transmission Slipping Diagnosis Guide
• Automatic vs Manual Transmission Repair Cost
• Shift Flare vs Slip: What Is the Difference