clutch engagement

bcr4d · bcr4d's Garage

Hello again. I'd like to know what is the average distance from the floor that the clutch should engage and the car starts to move. My car, 88 911, seems to move when the clutch pedal is almost all the way out. I 've heard some begins to move closer to the floor. Is there any way to adjust the travel? I see on page 40 of 101 projects how to adjust pedal travel, but I don't know whether it relates to my problem. thanks in advance.

emac · emac's Garage

Bill
Iam sure others will have better advise but I just had the clutch changed in mine and like you my clutch engaged right at the top. I adjusted it a number of times but the plate was shot. My clutch starts to engage about two inches from the floor.

gabenheimer · 08-28-2006, 07:43 PM

I have the same problem with my '87. There is no adjustment as the clutch is hydraulic. Everyone I've asked, including a friend who is a Porsche mechanic, tells me the clutch disc is wearing out and will need to be replaced soon. Sorry for the bad news. On the bright side, you can install a lightened flywheel while you are in there!

Randy

bcr4d · bcr4d's Garage

Thanks for your replys, though I wish it were better news, thanks the same.

jrdavid68 · 08-29-2006, 01:50 PM

The clutch on my '86 was like that and when I asked my wrench, he said there was no adjustment left and to wait until it needed to be replaced.

That took about four or five years.

emac · emac's Garage

Bill
Get the clutch installed. I never realized what I car I had until I felt her with a new clutch installed.

JBO · 08-30-2006, 07:47 AM

I've got a new clutch and mine engages near the top as well (or maybe halfway out), and I think it also did so before the new clutch was installed.

gabenheimer · 08-30-2006, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JBO
I've got a new clutch and mine engages near the top as well (or maybe halfway out), and I think it also did so before the new clutch was installed.

What year is your car? Do you have the 915 gearbox with a clutch cable or the later G50 gearbox which is hydraulic? If you have a 915, you should be able to adjust where the clutch engages.

Randy

Ducst4 · 08-30-2006, 11:16 AM

My 89 3.2 also engages at the top.
Had different people tell me, Its finished, to don't worry.

Is the 89 3.2 clutch friction point ajustable?

What is the warning before the clutch goes?

How much should I pay for the clutch job?

Do you have to drop the engine when doing the clutch,At the same time what else should be done?

JBO · 08-30-2006, 11:47 AM

Randy - mines a 915, so it sounds like I could adjust the engagement point to be lower, though it doesn't really bother me as is.

bcr4d · bcr4d's Garage

After looking at my receipts, the clutch was just replaced at 60K while the engine was out for valve guide replacement. That was only 20k miles ago. Anyway, I'm just gonna drive it like I stole it until I start noticing some problems. What are the signs of a clutch going out?

jstobo · 08-30-2006, 02:07 PM

Try bleeding the clutch. It may have some trapped air. Good Luck.

gabenheimer · 08-30-2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ducst4
My 89 3.2 also engages at the top.
Had different people tell me, Its finished, to don't worry.

Is the 89 3.2 clutch friction point adjustable?

What is the warning before the clutch goes?

How much should I pay for the clutch job?

Do you have to drop the engine when doing the clutch,At the same time what else should be done?

To my knowledge there is no adjustment for the G50 clutch. You can try bleeding the line, however it would seem to me that any air in the line would cause the clutch pedal to release at the bottom not the top. The only warning you will get is the clutch slipping. Lots of revs but no go. When it starts slipping, stop driving it immediately. That said, until it starts slipping, drive it as much as you want.

John Walker can give you a reasonable price for replacing a G50 clutch. Off the top of my head I would estimate between $2,500 and $3,000. The parts alone are over $1,000 from Pelican. Buy them from a shop and add another 25%. Yes, you need to drop the engine to do the clutch. Wayne's book, 101 projects for your Porsche, has a very good list of other projects that should be done when you replace the clutch. There are also some good technical articles on this site.

Randy