Clutch problem?

89turbocabmike · 11-12-2003, 08:35 PM

Hey Guys,

This weekend I was running Malibu canyons with some rennlisters and was accelerating hard when our lead car spotted a radar trap. I backed out of the throttle quickly and my engine decelled very very hard. Nothing seemed amis afterwards, but I wasn't really concentrating on anything but the driving(it was a bit wet in the canyons).
Since then on my commute I seem to have some excess play in my drivetrain. Tranny(G50/50) is shifting fine, feels tight and sounds smooth, but if I accelerate and back off the throttle and back on, especially in second gear, that there is some slack/play(for lack of a better term) and I can feel it especially with my hand on the shift-knob. It doesn't feel like the tran/motor are moving. Motor/Tranny mounts seem fine. Is it possible that the slack is a damaged clutch disc ie, the springs in the center?
I figure the tranny would have already machined itself to death if I had done something to it. Any ideas? Thanks

89turbocabmike · 11-13-2003, 08:25 AM

Help!?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Do you have cruise control? Sometimes that cable gets sticky and can hang up your throttle. See if it's mounted firmly to that square-looking brakcet on top of the throttle housing. Also see how much play you have in the throttle by having someone hold the pedal down (car turned off) and then see how much the throttle still moves. Sometimes that'll give you an extra and free 30 HP increase. You could do the old emerg. brake test, starting in 1st gear and see how much pedal travel you get before the car stalls with the e-brake on. So far I don't think this is clutch related.

David · David's Garage

I'd check your CV joints first (they're a whole lot easier to get to

)

89turbocabmike · 11-14-2003, 04:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys, It was the clutch disc. I'll post pics soon.

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 89turbocabmike
Thanks for the suggestions guys, It was the clutch disc. I'll post pics soon.

"I backed out of the throttle quickly and my engine decelled very very hard. "

Must have backed off very hard and have very sticky/large rear tires. I would think you would get rear wheel back-off lock-up before you trashed the clutch or flywheel.

Now, mike, is there something you're not telling us?

Either way, sorry to hear the bad news.

89turbocabmike · 11-14-2003, 09:54 PM

Hi Chad, I guess this is fairly common on turbos because they don't spin tires, the disc takes alot of abuse. I'm only running 245's but in an R compound. I was surprised too, but looking at PO receipts I don't see any clutch change and I'm currently at 75K, so maybe it was time. I'd rather have spent my $1200 on some new swaybars though!