My clutch cable or...?

[porscheguy47]

Driving along in my '70 911T and I noticed my clutch was not engaging easily as I changed gears. I was driving in 3rd gear and trying to downshift to second. Pushed in the clutch barely got it into second proceed slowly to home. Thankfully I didn't need to stop, I heard a ringing noise as was driving from under the car as I drove. Got home, shut it off pressed the clutch and couldn't get it in to first, Pedal had some pressure but very little travel a couple inches or so...but it still had some spring. Clutch cable or TO bearing?? No slippage or chatter before this all happened. Any thoughts?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Since this is a 911 question, I will move this to the 911 area. You'll probably get more pertinent answers there than here in the 914 section.

But it sounds a lot like a clutch cable or the guide tube for the cable. If it were a 914, at least, I'd say that's what it was.

--DD

[Alan Lindquist]

My thought, for what it's worth:

Inspect the clutch cable at both ends. The end at the pedal cluster could be junk. they do go bad. It's a pin/roller assembly that wears out.

Clutch cables do elongate past their ability to adjust. Then they break. After inspecting the clutch cable, you could start with a new one and see if that solves your problem.

If you adjust your clutch for more clutch action, and then the clutch works, and a day later you're back to a malfunctioning clutch, then you can suspect that the fork that carries the throwout bearing has cracked/bent. You'll need to pull the motor to replace it. I think it's about $120 or so. Easy to replace... once the motor is out.

I think others will chime in with some good things to investigate other than what I mentioned. I'm sure that I'm leaving out some easy things to check.

[DRACO A5OG]

Where does the clutch engage on the pedal throw? If not at the middle, you need adjustment, if maxed out, a new cable. But before that check that front clevis for damage.

[roblav]

This issue is more than likely that piece of junk plastic clevis thingy at the clutch arm end of the cable. Get a new aluminum one. Typical problem in 1970-1971 cars. This is an easy fix.