clutch fork clearance effects

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

While replacing the trunion piece on my clutch cable, I noticed that the clutch fork is up against the transmission case towards the front of the car (little or no clearance.) I understand there is supposed to be space here. What ill effects can I expect if I don't fix this? The car shifts pretty well despite a very sloppy shift linkage. I also had to adjust the cable tighter than the spec to avoid grinding 1st, now I have maybe 1/8" movement on the pedal instead of the specified 1/2".

karlp · 01-20-2003, 01:20 PM

I had the same thing happening. I kept tightening the cable, but it did not want to go into gear.
I found that the plastic ball that the arm pivots on had fallen apart. Before I knew off PP, I used a ball I stripped out of an Opel GT rearview mirror.

maf 914 · 01-20-2003, 01:37 PM

I have had clutch adjustment problems for some time. Adjust it enough to avoid grinding reverse and the next thing the clutch starts slipping. I had played with the adjustment for some time. I currently have my engine and tranny out of the car. Upon cleaning and inspecting the tranny and clutch I found that the clutch arm plastic pivot cup had disintegrated. The retainer clip was also cracking. On of the ears was almost completely broken. I am hoping that replacement of these and the clutch assembly will solve my problem.

Mike

jkeyzer · jkeyzer's Garage

I don't really have too much of a problem using the clutch. The pedal feels pretty good although it's not as good as my 911 (with 915...), and I only get an occasional grind into 1st and reverse. I'm also getting some popping out of 1st gear which has annoyed me enough that I am going to start looking for bad bushings etc. tonight.

mkinne · 01-20-2003, 07:55 PM

Correct me if wrong... I think the fork lever moves forward (towards the engine) as the clutch disk wares. If it is hitting the forward case, you may need a new clutch. Or, therer is too thick shim washer under the pivot ball.

I have also had the pivot ball cup break. This will cause the fork lever to move towards the back and make it difficult to adjust the clutch. Before replacing the cup, closely inspect the hole in the fork lever. Mine had a small cavity at the bottom of the hole (from drilling process?). This would leave a space under the flat bottom of the cup. I filled the cavity with JB weld so that the bottom of the cup is well supported.