Clutch tube (I think)

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Rats... I think my clutch tube broke today.

The pedal feel has been getting worse over the past few years--the pedal had been getting stiffer, with a very pronounced peak in the effort about 1/3 of the way up from the floor.

Well, today it got much easier. The throw is, I think, less. But now the clutch slips fairly easily. It has several of the hallmarks of a broken clutch tube (change in pedal feel, change in clutch adjustment) but I don't recall anyone mentioning clutch slippage as a side-effect? Most of the time the clutch gets looser, not tighter when that happens.

Anyone have any guesses before I tear into it?

--DD

[nine_one_4]

First check that the conduit for the clutch cable hasn't split.

[pbanders]

It doesn't really matter, you'll figure it out when you start tearing it apart. Most likely, if the tube's never been tacked down, it's either partially or completely ripped free. Fixing it will completely change how your clutch feels - you remember how mine worked? That's how yours will feel after it's fixed, if you've been living with a partially detached tube for years.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Yeah, I remember yours. It was too soft, dangit!!

--DD

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Some of the people on the Club website have opined that I may have a dead or dying pressure plate. I'm not certain...

First examination reveals a clutch tube that moves about 3mm (1/8") from side to side as I press the pedal. To me, that ways broken clutch tube. I'm still not sure if it's possible to get a slipping clutch from a broken clutch tube, but maybe...

Now I have to figure out where to cut the center tunnel so I can get a clamp on there. I was going to just use a U-bolt, but if anyone knows of better solutions (that don't require the welding skills I don't have)...

--DD

[Bleyseng]

Cut it open and weld it in, Dave. Have someone weld it if you can't.

Geoff

[pbanders]

Dave, take it to Grigsby, he did my clutch tube. It's never going to move again. Once that's fixed, you can evaluate if you need to look into the clutch itself.