Clutch travel question on '84 / 3.2/ 915

BGCarrera32 · 09-01-2002, 08:44 AM

Clutch question...

'84 Carrera with 915 has about 50K, just purchased a few weeks ago. Clutch engages at almost the very top of the pedal travel...feels like the clutch is actually o.k. but has almost no engagement range (very on/off). Question is...can I bring this into snuff by adjustment/new clutch cable/helper spring etc (so it engages sooner after the pedal comes off the floor)...or am I better off sticking that $200 or so in parts right towards a super clutch kit for replacement this winter....?

Thanks-
BG

ChrisBennet · ChrisBennet's Garage

It might just be misadjusted.
Is the clutch pedal up high, even with the brake pedal? It should be. Adjustment is easy but you need to get under the car to do it.
-Chris

BGCarrera32 · 09-01-2002, 09:21 AM

Yup...the clutch pedal is up there even with the brake pedal, its just that the clutch doesn't grab until I'm almost even with the brake pedal...

carreradpt · carreradpt's Garage

BG, you want to try the adjustment thing first before you spring for a new clutch and adjustment is easy. Check the archives here as there are tons of posts on the subject. Like Chris said you are going to have to get under the car to do them except one. Use your jack stands!

yelcab1 · 09-01-2002, 02:08 PM

Forget the helper spring, it has very little to do with clutch travel and engagement. Try the adjustment first, it's free. If that does not work or if the adjustment is all gone, then your clutch is worn out and has to be replaced.

CamB · CamB's Garage

Chime me in for checking the adjustment - the procedure is pretty clear in Wayne's book or (heaven forbid) the Haynes manual.

It was easy, up to a point.

Then the issue I had was not enought throw - this was the point I had to fiddle with the pedal end. This may not apply as my car had a newly installed (and completely different) transmission.

Early_S_Man · 09-01-2002, 02:34 PM

BG,

I doubt that you need a new clutch, yet! Possible ... but doubtful!

If you can't get the clutch pedal freeplay within specs, then you probably need a new clutch cable, clevis, and pin/clip. You may want to remove and clean & lubricate the cable witha good moly grease such as Swepco 101 or Valvoline #986.

CamB · CamB's Garage

While were discussing it.

The threaded tube that the cable passes through (is this the enigmatic "Bowden tube"?) has had most of the threads stripped from it, so it is not non-adjustable.

As a result I had to entirely use the pedal end of the cable for freeplay adjustment (a real b1tch). Can I buy the threaded tube separately and is it $$$? I can't find it in Pelican's catalogue but that doesn't mean it isn't there

.

By the way, from what I saw:

- adjusting the cable slackness at the tube I just talked about governs how far down (up?) the clutch pedal sits when engaged.

- adjusting the pedal end of the cable adjusts how far from the top of the pedal travel the clutch starts to disengage - you need this to be at the top, so you can get full disengagement (25mm clutch cable movement).

Cam

Matt Smith · 09-01-2002, 04:22 PM

Cam- just buy the whole new clutch cable if it's giving you strife. They're quite cheap. I think it's around the $50 NZ mark from Giltraps.

BGCarrera32 · 09-02-2002, 05:54 PM

Thanks for the info. Got under there and did some twisting around and the clutch seems to be back in the right zip code now...

-BG