What happened to my clutch pedal?

bsaffin · 07-13-2003, 05:06 PM

I finally took the pcar out for a drive today (I've been laid up with a back injury for a few weeks). The only thing out of the ordinary I noticed is that the clutch pedal doesn't much spring to bring it back to the top of its travel (I hope that makes sense). So the first part of travel, before it disengages, feels kind of dead. The clutch itself seems to work fine. Is there a return spring that might have lost its zip from not being used? Would it just be a matter of lube, or does it sound like the spring is shot?

...Bruce

Gunter · Gunter's Garage

Time to go underneath and check the adjustments and the "C" spring action. Wayne's book and Bentley tells you how. Cheers.

bsaffin · 07-13-2003, 06:04 PM

Oops, forgot to mention that it's an '88. It seems 101 projects only talks about pre-87 clutches. Do I still have a "C" spring to check out?

...Bruce

schulr · schulr's Garage

WD 40 works great, try spraying from the foot well

dad911 · 07-13-2003, 06:07 PM

Probably need to 'bleed' clutch fluid. Hydraulic clutch on 87 & newer.

masraum · 07-13-2003, 09:16 PM

There's a spring at the pedals under the floor board. If that's gotten dirty, gummed up, or the bushings have started to bind you could be feeling the effects.

mperkins · 07-14-2003, 05:15 AM

Check just to the right of the gas pedal - there the clutch cable is connected to the pedal with a metal clevis pin. This metal snapped on me about 2 weeks ago and left me stranded. I could see that if you're pin is weakening - it may be playing a part in your pedal action.

Am not sure if you're 88 is the same as my SC - but worth a look?

My mechanic replaced it with a bronze bushing - and new pin - and all works great now. Relatively easy and cheap fix (but the tow truck part was not fun).

good luck.

Maurice
'80 SC Coupe.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

You most definitely have a hydraulic clutch and you need to bleed it before you do anything else. It's a lot of fun - you have to be a contortionist to do it. Wait til you see how hideous the fluid is that comes out and then you'll know why you have this problem - probably lots of bubbles too. I'm 99% sure that will make your pedal feel like new. But if your slave and/or master cylinders are going bad, the nice results will be short-lived and you'll be doing it a few more times before you break down and replace the sc and/or mc.

bsaffin · 07-14-2003, 03:03 PM

Thanks for the good feedback. I'm going to have to wait awhile before I'm able to bleed the clutch or check the springs/bushings in the pedal area. It seems to drive ok, but just feels odd when the pedal doesn't pop up all the way.

...Bruce

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

You can bleed your clutch with an assistant in under 10 min. Get some ramps and your basic bleeder kit. I did it 8 times in two weeks before I decided to replace the slave. It's not that bad.

bsaffin · 07-14-2003, 04:59 PM

Thanks Richard. I was reading some of the fun you had with your clutch in the archives. The reason I will have to wait is my back. It's improved enough that I can drive, but there's no way I'll be able to crawl under the car for a couple of weeks at least.

Cheers...Bruce