Clutch Problem: $$$??

Why do things go wrong when you least need it?

Here's the symptoms:

Car/clutch is beginning to shudder sometimes when moving off. This seems to be getting worse, particularly after sitting for a while and especially/mostly in reverse. Note, it doesn't always do it and seems to cease altogether after driving hard for a bit.

There is no slippage whatsoever under load and all other clutch controls feel fine. I recently adjusted it to spec but this made no difference. New cable installed recently too.

I'm thinking, oil on the friction material seeping periodically from the gearbox??
The only other issue if this is the case is that I heard the '72's had the early version of the 915 box and it had some annoying problem with oil seal replacement that required a BIG stripdown of the box??

Could something be amiss with the crankshaft seal?

These are just guesses. Clutch experts please advise!

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'72 911 TE

Check engine and trans mounts. Check throttle linkage for interference with clutch cable. (at bellcank)

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet

Matt,

I doubt if gear oil leakage is causing the problem. I believe you created the problem when you replaced the clutch cable ... by not putting enough preload on the Bowden tube -- the plastic-covered armored sheath that extends from firewall to transaxle mount for the end of the sheath. A judder often results, and it is worse in reverse!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Ok, that sounds almost reasonable. I replaced the cable about six months ago though, and all was sweet until recently. How can bowden cable preload result in judder? I don't exactly see how.
Will check my mounts tonight. Probably need doing anyway. Was I right about that oil seal being tricky incidentally?

Matt,

If there is no slippage in 5th gear under load up a grade, then it isn't oil on the disk! The Bowden tube could have been seated improperly at the firewall, and it may have slipped/popped into the correct seating position, reducing or eliminating most or all of your preload. Check to see how hard it is to pull/pry the tube away from the firewall. If it is the least bit loose or easy to pull away from the firewall, then I assure you it is causing a problem!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Ok, will do. Thanks guys. Looks like I may be changing the thread title from $$$ to FREE- always a nice repair, that one.
I have to admit i've been re-enjoying driving lately a lot following installation of new Koni's and swaybar bushes, and this clutch upset was troubling me.
Now I want even better handling, so stay posted for some new questions!

O.K. Matt. no-one responded to the seal question. Yes, the 72 915 trans requires trans disassembly to replace the input seal. In 73 they made the snout removeable, making it replaceable from the outside.

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Tyson Schmidt
72 911 Cabriolet

The 915 was changed during 72' production. The bell housing was changed. I unfortunately have the early version in both of my 72's. I've replaced the seal in my coupe. My clutch was soaked. Before I replaced the seal and the clutch it had horrible judder in 1st. I didn't have the 5th gear slippage though. If the cable fix doesn't solve the problem. Let me know and I'll look up the serial number to let you know which version you have. It's actually easy to tell when you have the tranny out just by looking at the collar that surrounds the input shaft. The early tranny has a large bevel on the end of the collar and is thicker. Just found thse numbers. Anything before 733 7375, 783 0838, or 793 1031. Is the early version.
Bobby