What happened to my clutch today?
 

Coming back from Cambria today during a routine upshift I heard and felt something "pop" when I pushed in the clutch to move from 2nd to 3rd.

My passenger said it sounded like a pop. Driver of the car behind me said he saw something metallic fly out from under the car. Drove back couldn't find anything.

Immediately the clutch travel was less and felt harder than normal. But I could shift gears. Later on the clutch returned to normal feeling with full range of travel, then it went heavy again.

Anyone know what might have happened? I was going to take it in for some other work this week and will have them fix this, just wondering (hoping) this is something minor.

Thanks.
Pete
86Carrera

Seem to remember that some cars have a "helper spring" on the clutch arm and could this have possibly popped off?

Look here: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_clutch_cable/911_clutch_cable.htm

JA

I think the G50s didn't start until 1987 model year, so you'd have a 915 tranny like mine. Your helper spring probably broke. It is shaped like a horseshoe. You'll see what's left of it if you look under there. Right under where the tranny and the engine connect. it's a horsshoe-shaped leaf spring, about 3 or 4 inches in diameter.

I'd take a close look at the horseshoe spring. It should consist of 3 strips of bent metal. I bet 1 of the inner two bands broke.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...able/pic18.JPG

Sure sounds like the horseshoe spring to me. Now is the time to replace the cable, spring, and rebuild your pedal rack. I say this all the time, but the difference is amazing!

John