The spline sleeve on the clutch disc cracked and part of the bracket is missing. Symptoms were rattling noise at takeoff and difficulty getting into gear. Has this happened to anyone before? Is this a common failure?

Car is a 1996 Formula w/ basic bolt-ons. Clutch kit is a Ram 88516 OEM replacement.

 

Ouch! I changed out a Competition clutch earlier this year and it had broken/cracked springs but that was it.

 

When I tore it apart I was expecting a broken or loose spring.

My best guess on how this could have happened is it must have cracked from the shock load when my rear end seized up...it didn't show symptoms for almost 6000 mi though. Plausible?

 

spline failure has happened for various reasons. Typically use & abuse from high RPM clutch dumps. Your rear end locking up while car was in gear and at speed could have also caused it.

some clutch discs are made better than others. Solid machined spline hub being one item that is better on some clutches than others. Might want to consider a kit other than RAM...

replace pilot bearing while you are installing a new clutch kit