Ford Focus ST250 Clutch & Flywheel Upgrades

What is the best clutch upgrade for the Ford Focus ST250?

The Genuine Ford Focus RS clutch is our recommended upgrade for the MK3 Focus ST250. It provides the additional torque capacity needed for higher-powered cars without introducing the heavy pedal, harsh engagement or judder often associated with more aggressive aftermarket clutches.

In our real-world experience, the RS clutch has reliably handled approximately 450–460 lb-ft without issues. This makes it suitable for standard-turbo Stage 1 and Stage 2 cars as well as the majority of hybrid-turbo ST250 builds.

The pedal is very slightly heavier than the original ST250 clutch, but it still maintains an OEM-style feel. Engagement remains smooth and predictable, with no unnecessary judder, making it easy to use in traffic and around town.

When does an ST250 need an uprated clutch?

A healthy standard ST250 clutch does not need to be replaced simply because the car has been remapped. It can usually remain in place on standard, Stage 1 and Stage 2 cars until it begins showing signs of wear or slipping.

We recommend upgrading to the Focus RS clutch when:

• The original ST250 clutch has started slipping.
• The car is being modified beyond a typical Stage 2 setup.
• A hybrid turbo is being fitted.
• The gearbox is already being removed and extra torque capacity is wanted for future upgrades.

The RS clutch offers more than enough capacity for most ST250 road and fast-road builds, without the compromises of a motorsport-style clutch.

Which Focus ST250 clutch kit should I buy?

Complete RS clutch and flywheel kit

The complete Focus RS clutch and flywheel kit is the best option when the existing clutch has slipped, the dual-mass flywheel has excessive play, or you want to replace everything while the gearbox is removed.

The complete kit includes:

• Focus RS clutch plate
• Focus RS clutch cover
• Focus RS dual-mass flywheel
• Focus RS clutch slave cylinder
• New flywheel bolts

This is the most complete and lowest-risk option because all of the main wear components are renewed together.

Three-piece RS clutch kit

The Genuine Ford three-piece RS clutch kit includes the clutch plate, clutch cover and upgraded RS slave cylinder.

This kit can be used when the existing ST250 dual-mass flywheel is in good condition and the previous clutch has not slipped. The Focus RS clutch bolts directly to the original ST250 dual-mass flywheel.

Because the slave cylinder is located inside the gearbox bellhousing, the three-piece kit is our preferred clutch-only option. Replacing it while the gearbox is already removed avoids paying for the same labour again if the old slave cylinder later fails.

Two-piece RS clutch kit

The two-piece Focus RS clutch kit includes the clutch plate and clutch cover but does not include the slave cylinder.

We offer this as a lower-cost option, but we would normally advise fitting the three-piece kit instead. The two-piece kit is mainly suitable where the existing slave cylinder is known to be nearly new or where the customer is working to a strict budget.

Does the dual-mass flywheel need replacing?

The existing ST250 dual-mass flywheel can be reused when it remains in good condition, has no excessive movement and the previous clutch has not slipped.

If the clutch has slipped at all, we advise replacing the flywheel. Clutch slip creates heat and glazes the flywheel friction surface. Fitting a new clutch against that glazed surface can prevent it bedding in correctly and compromise the new clutch from the start.

The flywheel should also be replaced if it has excessive rotational movement, visible heat damage, abnormal noise or any other signs of wear.

The Genuine Ford Focus RS dual-mass flywheel fits the ST250 and works correctly with the RS clutch.

Should the slave cylinder be replaced with the clutch?

Yes. We would always advise replacing the slave cylinder while the gearbox is removed.

The original ST250 slave cylinder uses a plastic construction. The Genuine Ford Focus RS slave cylinder uses a stronger metal construction while retaining the correct OEM fitment and operation.

The cost of the slave cylinder is relatively small compared with the labour involved in removing the gearbox. Reusing an old slave cylinder risks having to repeat the complete gearbox-removal job if it fails later.

What else should be replaced during an ST250 clutch job?

Flywheel bolts

The flywheel bolts are single-use stretch bolts. Once removed, they should not be reused. New bolts are included with the complete clutch and flywheel kit and can also be selected with the replacement flywheel.

Driveshaft seals

The driveshafts must be removed during the clutch replacement. The gearbox driveshaft seals commonly begin leaking after a driveshaft has been removed and refitted, even if they were not leaking beforehand.

We therefore recommend replacing the ST250 driveshaft seals while access is available.

Gearbox oil

Clutch replacement is also a sensible opportunity to refill the gearbox with fresh oil. The oil must be disturbed as part of the work, so there is little benefit in putting old gearbox oil back into the transmission.

Do we recommend a single-mass flywheel conversion?

No. We do not offer or recommend a single-mass flywheel conversion for the Focus ST250.

A single-mass conversion can introduce additional gearbox noise, vibration and chatter. The Genuine Ford Focus RS clutch and dual-mass flywheel provide enough torque capacity for the vast majority of ST250 builds while retaining smooth OEM road manners.

For a road or fast-road ST250, the RS clutch is simply the more complete and better-balanced upgrade.

What are the symptoms of a slipping ST250 clutch?

Clutch slip normally becomes most obvious under heavy load in a higher gear. In fifth or sixth gear, the engine speed may rise quickly without a matching increase in road speed.

Other symptoms can include:

• The clutch bite point becoming noticeably higher.
• A burning clutch smell after acceleration.
• Reduced acceleration despite rising engine speed.
• Slip becoming worse once the car is warm.

Once clutch slip is present, continuing to drive the car hard creates additional heat and further glazes the flywheel surface.

Focus ST250 clutch fitment

The clutch, flywheel and slave-cylinder fitment is the same across:

• Pre-facelift and facelift Focus ST250 models.
• Hatchback and estate models.

The Genuine Ford Focus RS clutch is therefore suitable across the complete MK3 Focus ST250 range.

Frequently asked questions

Will a Focus RS clutch fit the standard ST250 flywheel?

Yes. The MK3 Focus RS clutch bolts directly to the standard ST250 dual-mass flywheel, provided the flywheel remains in suitable condition and the previous clutch has not slipped.

How much torque will the Focus RS clutch hold?

We have run the RS clutch at approximately 450–460 lb-ft in real-world ST250 applications without issues. Clutch life will still depend on vehicle use, installation quality and how the car is driven.

Is the RS clutch suitable for a hybrid turbo?

Yes. The RS clutch is suitable for the majority of hybrid-turbo Focus ST250 builds within its proven torque range.

Is the RS clutch difficult to drive?

No. The pedal is only very slightly heavier than the standard ST250 clutch. It retains smooth OEM-style engagement without unnecessary judder and remains easy to use around town.

Can I reuse the flywheel after the clutch has slipped?

We do not recommend it. If the clutch has slipped at all, the flywheel surface will have become glazed. The flywheel should be replaced so the new clutch has a clean surface on which to bed in correctly.

Should I fit the two-piece or three-piece clutch?

We recommend the three-piece kit because it includes the upgraded metal RS slave cylinder. The two-piece kit is primarily a budget option or for cars that already have a nearly new slave cylinder.

Do you recommend changing both driveshaft seals?

Yes. Driveshaft seals frequently start leaking after the driveshafts have been removed and refitted, so replacing them while the gearbox is out is sensible preventative maintenance.

More Focus ST250 parts and tuning advice

Browse our complete range of MK3 Ford Focus ST250 performance parts, or read our Focus ST250 tuning guide for more information about Stage 1, Stage 2 and supporting modifications.