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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 1
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heavy clutch
i am looking at a 1984 carrera. took it for a gtest drive. i was shocked at how difficult it was to depress the clutch. is this a fixable problem or is this just the way those cars were designed?
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09-24-2012, 03:30 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Marysville Wa.
Posts: 22,482
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when the disc gets thin, pedal pressure increases. average clutch life is around 80K miles. a binding clutch cable can also do it. when everything is in good shape, the pedal pressure is pretty easy.
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https://www.instagram.com/johnwalker8704 8009 103rd pl ne Marysville Wa 98270 206 637 4071 |
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09-24-2012, 03:56 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: London Ont Canada
Posts: 3,120
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They have stiff clutches to begin with but if stiffer than normal , compared to modern cars and even later 911s. Bushings on the pedals can seize up and the clutch cable can get "dry" and need replacing. Parts aren,t expensive but figure a couple hours to do the cable and another 2 -4 for the pedal box. .(Bolts will be rusty and space is tight under the dash .
Rarely the splines on the input shaft will rust and make the clutch throwout bearing stick . This is more often seen on a car which is driven infrequently.
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1980 911 SC 3.6 coupe sold 1995 993 coupe 1966 Mustang Shelby clone 1964 Corvair Spyder Turbo gone 2012 Boss 302 |
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09-24-2012, 04:01 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nash County, NC.
Posts: 8,516
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If the idler arm (helper spring) on the bottom of the trans doesnt spin freely on the vertical shaft or remove easily with the short clutch arm off that can be a defining factor. The fix only takes a few minutes with air chisel, steel wool to clean with, and antiseize.
Follow instructions on adjusting the clutch then. Bruce |
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09-24-2012, 04:25 AM
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Quantum Mechanic
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If it feels like a leg press machine, there is a thing called the "omega spring" which is an over-center spring that reduces clutch effort on a 915 trans. They do break (30 year old car).
it's an $80 part and takes 15 minutes to install. Well worth the effort, and a fair bet that this is what's causing the high clutch pedal effort. 
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Mark Petry Bainbridge Island, WA 81 SC |
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09-24-2012, 04:26 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 1,239
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All old 911 clutches feel heavy when compared to modern cars. Is this one the first you´ve tested or what are you comparing it to?
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09-24-2012, 05:58 AM
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Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 2,948
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It's also very possible that the car has had its clutch cable replaced, with an aftermarket version. If you can get under the car, locate the clutch cable where it lays near the driver's side of the transmission. That section of cable will be a black housing called a Bowden Tube, and is the housing that the actual cable pulls through. Look closely at the Bowden Tube, if it has "Made In West(ern) Germany" written on it in white letters, that will be an aftermarket cable. They are no good! And yes, your cable might be very old (original?), which will also cause a heavy clutch action.
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Keep the Shiny Side UP! Pete Z. Last edited by Peter Zimmermann; 09-24-2012 at 07:57 AM.. |
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09-24-2012, 07:07 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Wayne, PA
Posts: 2,010
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Sorry, but I have to disagree that all 915 clutches are stiff in the 3.2 cars. I began with a pedal cluster rebuild. Next, I put in a new clutch cable, and followed up by lubricating the pivot shaft on the trans end(when the trans was out).
The result - You can now push my pedal down with your hand. My tech did the same to his with the same results. DO NOT ACCEPT ANYTHING LESS THAN A LIGHT, SMOOTH MOVEMENT. 
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Christopher Mahalick 1984 911 Targa, 1974 Lotus Europa TCS 2001 BMW 530i(5spd!), Ducati 900 SS/SP 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250, 2015 Yamaha R3 1965 Suzuki k15 Hillbilly, 1975 Suzuki GT750 |
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09-24-2012, 07:13 AM
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Hi
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When i first bought my '84 it had a very stiff clutch. After replacing the clutch, omega spring and cable the clutch pedal feel was quite nice. As it turns out the cable was the main problem. Once it was removed from the car I couldn't even move it by hand.
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"A good sense of humor is the best thing to have in your toolbox when working on these cars." Quote by Charles Freeborn, Pelican. |
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09-24-2012, 07:21 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Glorious Pac NW
Posts: 4,184
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Quote:
A Sport clutch /does/ feel like a leg press after 10 minutes in stop/start traffic. But it'll hold 400 ft/lbs of torque.
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'77 S with '78 930 power and a few other things. |
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09-24-2012, 08:49 AM
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Quantum Mechanic
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Spuggy is right - a properly set up cable operated 915 clutch should have a light, smooth feel to it - but all the components have to be working correctly, lubricated, and properly adjusted.
Nobody mentioned the "Bowden tube" - that is another important component in the clutch linkage that must be clean, lubed, and in good condition for a smooth operating clutch. My SC has a feel that is just right - not too heavy, very smooth, and you can feel when it starts to bite. To the OP - cannot over-emphasize the importance of a PPI before purchasing one of these cars.
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Mark Petry Bainbridge Island, WA 81 SC |
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09-24-2012, 08:55 AM
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Sally
Babe
Gretchen
