G50 Clutch Issue

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

I've recently noticed that the clutch feels different. When the car is warmed up the clutch pedal feels like it is scrapping on something as it comes up the first quarter of the way. I sometimes also feel the same thing when depressing the pedal. The car still shifts perfectly. After some observation, I realized that it doesn't happen when the car is in neutral. Also, I have noticed that when the car is in neutral and I let off the clutch, I hear a rattle for about 2-3 seconds and then its quiet. I'm thinking that might be the throwout bearing. Any relation between the two?
Any suggestions? Remember this is a G50 so there is no cable issue here.
I tried searching but there's just too many posts with "clutch" in them.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

How many miles on the car? Is clutch original? If so, then you have a G50 fork and shaft update in your future. This is well documented here. Most likely the sound you're hearing are the seized needle bearings in your fork scraping the shaft. Eventually this will totally seize and it may take out your slave cylinder before, as happened in my case. Not too bad a fix, but it does require pulling the engine out. One or two weekend job.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

40,000 miles and the car hasn't been abused. Is there any dreaded "while I'm in there" items I should consider? I noticed that 1st to 2nd is notchy (very slightly) but other than that the car shifts like a dream.

PeteBrown · 09-21-2004, 07:31 AM

I had a similar rattle when the clutch pedal was not depressed. While my actual clutch was ok, the throwout bearing was shot and the needle bearings were grinding into g50 shaft.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Those needle bearing dry out regardless of mileage. It's also a time issue and yours has probably come. Lots of "while you're in there" things to do, but main thing is replace fork and shaft, add bushing kit and probably deal with clutch and flywheel too. Then there are a few seals you should get at while you have the engine out.

Por_sha911 · Por_sha911's Garage

Since it doesn't do it all the time and it isn't major, do you think I can get by till winter and do an engine drop in about 2-3 months/another 500-1000 miles?

rzepko6194 · rzepko6194's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Por_sha911
Since it doesn't do it all the time and it isn't major, do you think I can get by till winter and do an engine drop in about 2-3 months/another 500-1000 miles?

I think it should be ok until then. Just try to avoid using the clutch (ie. stay out of stop and go traffic if possible. )

KTL · 09-23-2004, 11:06 AM

I'm not going to say it'll fail right away, but.................

Hydraulic clutches are supposed to feel smooth all the time because the hydraulic arrangement dampens vibrations and the multiplying force of the hydraulics can mask the increase in the effort required to operate the clutch. Only when there is significant resistance will you start to notice the increase in pedal effort. Then it's time to get things fixed soon.

Rick Lee can attest to the fact that a significant resistance in the clutch operation can break your clutch slave cylinder.

Do a search with "G50 clutch", "G50 shaft", or "G50 update", "G50 release" etc. and see what you find. This issue has been discussed in depth more than a few times.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

It's just hard to describe in words how your clutch feels. It really is a feel thing. I know what's too stiff and I know what feels right. Sort of like porn - I can't define it, but I know it when I see/buy/look at it. This is not that tough a job to fix. I did all this a lot more for under $900 and in two weekends. Made my Carrera drive like a new car.