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Clutch Issues looking for help

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Old May 17, 2012 | 10:40 AM
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Default Clutch Issues looking for help

So I went to the track last night. got 2 runs in and then i noticed the travel on the clutch was at least half of normal. Also got a nice good smell of something not good. Could not get the car into gear unless i shut it off and put it in a gear started the car from the gear. If i took it out It would not go back into any gear.

So i let it sit for a bit.. Seemed to be back to normally after it cooled off, did another pass then same issue was there.So this time i prob let it sit for 2 hrs. Did another pass seemed to be fine so i thought. Left the dragway and we stopped at chillies for a few hours. Came back out side could not get it into reverse what so ever. I could go thru 1-6 lil difficult but went into gear.


So this morning. ( 51 Outside ) was being a real dbag, went to lowes came back out and now the car is shifting normally with no problems.

Could the clutch be dying? If so wouldn't it a consistent problem? not random? What about syncros or a fluid problem that's dirty? Buddy mentioned to bleed the clutch and master cylinder and put new fluid in it bc its a common problem from dust makin fluid dirty.

Any help would be great bc idk whats up with this,
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Old May 17, 2012 | 10:51 AM
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You probably glazed the clutch. It sounds like it is on the way out, however, and changing the fluid is not going to do much for you at this point.

Solution: new clutch.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 12:14 PM
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Originally Posted by UmX
So I went to the track last night. got 2 runs in and then i noticed the travel on the clutch was at least half of normal. Also got a nice good smell of something not good. Could not get the car into gear unless i shut it off and put it in a gear started the car from the gear. If i took it out It would not go back into any gear.

So i let it sit for a bit.. Seemed to be back to normally after it cooled off, did another pass then same issue was there.So this time i prob let it sit for 2 hrs. Did another pass seemed to be fine so i thought. Left the dragway and we stopped at chillies for a few hours. Came back out side could not get it into reverse what so ever. I could go thru 1-6 lil difficult but went into gear.


So this morning. ( 51 Outside ) was being a real dbag, went to lowes came back out and now the car is shifting normally with no problems.

Could the clutch be dying? If so wouldn't it a consistent problem? not random? What about syncros or a fluid problem that's dirty? Buddy mentioned to bleed the clutch and master cylinder and put new fluid in it bc its a common problem from dust makin fluid dirty.

Any help would be great bc idk whats up with this,
Is this a completely stock set up (engine /drivetrain) or do you have mods that increase engine power /torque???

Sounds like you heat warped the pressure plate. Did you feel of sense any clutch slippage when you were on the track???

Bill
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Old May 17, 2012 | 12:31 PM
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Good point, Bill. I believe that is what is going on with mine. OP, is the clutch pedal sticking to the floor? Can you pick it back up with your toe and continue on after a few cycles? Need a bit more info.

I thought it was my master cylinder, and the hydraulics all checked out OK, pointing towards a bad pressure plate. In the end, a new clutch...same Rx.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 12:35 PM
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sob why doesn't this Sig apply to every post. Mods are in the sig...

436rwhp. I stopped at a local trans shop I have good exp with. He said the pressure plate was the problem
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Old May 17, 2012 | 01:15 PM
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Good deal. LS7 clutch kits are on sale all the time.
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Old May 17, 2012 | 08:13 PM
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What kind of clutch?
How long have you had it?
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Old May 18, 2012 | 06:18 AM
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If you haven't been keeping up with changing the fluid, you should try doing the Ranger fluid swap. See www.rangeracceleration.com for the technique.

If you haven't been doing the fluid swaps I think you have a fluid problem not a pressure plate problem. These clutches stand up to more than people think they will. The fact that the problem comes and goes lead me to believe the slave cylinder is full of junk, and if so flushing many times will eventually clear it.

It's nearly free to try, and it might just fix it. You have nothing to lose.
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:29 PM
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it seems you havent had that car too long, so i would bet on driver error. i.e., slipaclutchlikeagirlitis. LOL
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Justatest
it seems you havent had that car too long, so i would bet on driver error. i.e., slipaclutchlikeagirlitis. LOL
You speaking to me?
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe_G
You speaking to me?
no, lol! the OP haha
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Justatest
no, lol! the OP haha


Actually, I think it's more the dirty fluid than anything else, you can slip these clutches like crazy, I will attest.
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:49 PM
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what type of of fluid is it im going to change it today. dot4?

I think I did ok for the 2nd stick ever owned, first time driving a stick in 5 yrs, and to still run a 1.99 60ft I think i did ok. Other then the slip I did. accidents happen. No one ever taught me how to drive a stick. I had to learn on my own and ask questions =/

Last edited by UmX; May 18, 2012 at 02:57 PM.
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:56 PM
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Originally Posted by UmX
what type of of fluid is it im going to change it today. dot4?
Yes.

Read this and follow the instructions exactly. You'll have to do it a lot to get it all out, and each day you drive check it.

Once clean it stays clean, I change mine before and after each track event and it stays fine.

http://rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

Please report back.
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe_G
Yes.

Read this and follow the instructions exactly. You'll have to do it a lot to get it all out, and each day you drive check it.

Once clean it stays clean, I change mine before and after each track event and it stays fine.

http://rangeracceleration.com/Clutch_Care.html

Please report back.
will i will grab a few bottles of Prestone DOT 4 and do it tonight and report back. Thank you for the help guys
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:59 PM
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Shouldn't need more than one. I'd just grab two. Not that much fluid in the system.
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Old May 18, 2012 | 02:59 PM
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Are you friends with FARTPIPE? You have similar avatars.
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Old May 20, 2012 | 01:16 PM
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the only fix is Tick Performance clutch master kit
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Old Jul 10, 2012 | 01:13 PM
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Lil update i changed the fluid several times. I Was getting on it the other day. Clutch has seemed very firm when i pressed it down. But one day i took it over 5000rpm and after that it started to get sloppy and very lil play again. That was just a 2nd gear pulled from up to about 65 i think. Im sure if i would went thru 3rd to been worse.
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Old Jul 11, 2012 | 01:27 AM
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any high rpm shifting issues?
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