Need Help with Clutch Issue
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Bourbonnais IL
Need Help with Clutch Issue
Yesterday, I was out in my 94 doing some spirited driving on some empty country roads and I punched it hard around a curve in second gear and swung the tail around, which was both scary and stupid (lesson learned). During this "maneuver" I stayed on the road and it was smooth pavement.
The clutch was fully engaged at the time but when I was back on my way home, the clutch engagement was not firm as it had previously been. Before, I rowed the gears and got a nice kick upon upshift clutch engagement but now it engages very smooth and noticeably slower. There isn't the heavy-throttle clutch drop "lurch" that I am used to from a good clutch.
Now worried that I messed up my old clutch, I tested its holding power by flooring it (while fully engaged) in 3rd gear at about 45mph and the RPM didn't jump. I tried it a bit slower in second also with no noticeable jump.
Is it possible that this is a master/slave cylinder problem that just popped up at that high-stress time or would it be more likely that my original 96k mile clutch is shot?
One thing I also noticed: the clutch pedal has a top inch or two of light pedal pressure followed by normal pressure the rest of the way down. Is that normal?
Thanks for your help!
The clutch was fully engaged at the time but when I was back on my way home, the clutch engagement was not firm as it had previously been. Before, I rowed the gears and got a nice kick upon upshift clutch engagement but now it engages very smooth and noticeably slower. There isn't the heavy-throttle clutch drop "lurch" that I am used to from a good clutch.
Now worried that I messed up my old clutch, I tested its holding power by flooring it (while fully engaged) in 3rd gear at about 45mph and the RPM didn't jump. I tried it a bit slower in second also with no noticeable jump.
Is it possible that this is a master/slave cylinder problem that just popped up at that high-stress time or would it be more likely that my original 96k mile clutch is shot?
One thing I also noticed: the clutch pedal has a top inch or two of light pedal pressure followed by normal pressure the rest of the way down. Is that normal?
Thanks for your help!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
If you spun it where your were rolling backward ,even if not far, while in a forward gear and clutch engaged. You could have damage clutch. The disc is normally the weakest link in the drivetrain.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Bourbonnais IL
I don't remember rolling back but if I did, this makes sense. Thanks for your input.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Bourbonnais IL
I am thinking that I might replace the clutch master and slave cylinder first just to make sure that isn't the issue since I have read that they can cause all sorts of odd problems.
If that doesn't do it, another question I have is how can I tell if the dual mass flywheel can be reused? What signs would it give of impending failure? Some people say that they have successfully reused it while others go the solid route.
If that doesn't do it, another question I have is how can I tell if the dual mass flywheel can be reused? What signs would it give of impending failure? Some people say that they have successfully reused it while others go the solid route.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
You really won't know the deal with flywheel until you can inspect it depending on scoring or heat checking you may have to replace it regardless.
Last edited by Kevova; Oct 10, 2013 at 11:13 AM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Bourbonnais IL
Anyone have some input on whether the first inch or so of clutch travel is supposed to be effortless? I haven't purchased any parts yet and I want to be a little more certain before I do.
