Stuck Clutch
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 48
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From: New York New york
Stuck Clutch
This may a wierd question, but has anyone experienced a stuck clutch pedal after a hard shift?
It basically feels like the hydraulics didnt push the pedals back up until you tap it.
Any ideas or suggestions are helpful.
By the way. I just installed the vararam. My but-o-meter is very happy. no track numbers. Its 28 degres last night in NYC and the car just love the fresh air.
It basically feels like the hydraulics didnt push the pedals back up until you tap it.
Any ideas or suggestions are helpful.
By the way. I just installed the vararam. My but-o-meter is very happy. no track numbers. Its 28 degres last night in NYC and the car just love the fresh air.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Bayville NJ
Re: Stuck Clutch (The One)
I did that search and saw all kinds of answers, some really off the wall. I don't think any that I saw hit the problem. I truly believe it behaves as follows:
A diaphragm clutch such as used on the C5 can have a nasty tendency to go overcenter. The diaphragm (spring) is slightly bowl-shaped and by going overcenter, it goes past the point where it is flat and is turned "inside out". When this happens, centrifugal force holds the clutch in the disengaged position rather than helping it engage. It only happens at RPMs and is usually diagnosed as anything but what it is.
This is common knowledge among older drag racers as they have been down that road since the inception of the diaphragm clutch.
The cures are: 1) tune the clutch by increasing the air gap, not decreasing it as most would think. This means loosening, not tightening the clutch. Tightening will make it go further overcenter, worsening the situation. Incidently, diaphragm clutches hit harder with more air gap because the force dimishes as it reaches the center point. 2) Buy a clutch that's engineered not to have this "feature". Cartech for one, sells them.
PS I love the post about the guy who had the mechanic relocate all the lines and wrap them with insulation, then reposted later on saying the problem was still there. Hmmm
A diaphragm clutch such as used on the C5 can have a nasty tendency to go overcenter. The diaphragm (spring) is slightly bowl-shaped and by going overcenter, it goes past the point where it is flat and is turned "inside out". When this happens, centrifugal force holds the clutch in the disengaged position rather than helping it engage. It only happens at RPMs and is usually diagnosed as anything but what it is.
This is common knowledge among older drag racers as they have been down that road since the inception of the diaphragm clutch.
The cures are: 1) tune the clutch by increasing the air gap, not decreasing it as most would think. This means loosening, not tightening the clutch. Tightening will make it go further overcenter, worsening the situation. Incidently, diaphragm clutches hit harder with more air gap because the force dimishes as it reaches the center point. 2) Buy a clutch that's engineered not to have this "feature". Cartech for one, sells them.
PS I love the post about the guy who had the mechanic relocate all the lines and wrap them with insulation, then reposted later on saying the problem was still there. Hmmm
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 1
From: Wichita KS
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Re: Stuck Clutch (Walt Donovan)
You are correct :iagree:
That is why the RAM VDS pressure plate works so good, it is adjustable.
[Modified by Flyin'Brian, 11:03 AM 12/6/2002]
That is why the RAM VDS pressure plate works so good, it is adjustable.
[Modified by Flyin'Brian, 11:03 AM 12/6/2002]
