Please diagnose my clutch

[J1NX3D]

'86 RoW 944 with 116,000kms. original clutch.

the clutch has always had a bit of travel making smooth driving difficult without thinking about it. It doesn't seem to slip at all.

lately the shift has been feeling notchy. last weekend i was on a 3 hr drive down country and the notchiness was getting worse until I suddenly couldn't select a gear at all without seriously manhandling the gearshhift more than I should have to. I made it to my destination 40 mins later and the problem had mysteriously stopped.

On the return trip the clutch was now noisey- it makes a mechanical thunk sound when the gear is engaged and the clutch let out. I can hear this at speed with the window down too.

when driving, with no throttle input and then giving it some gas, the whole car does a big shudder as the power comes on, same for when i take my foot off the throttle. it does this from any throttle level to 0 throttle unless i let it off very gradually. it goes into and out of gear fine, just that mechanical thunk sound.

TIA

[jmd_forest]

Sounds like the rubber center is shot and you are running on the "limp home tabs". Inspect the clutch via the inspection port hole in the bellhousing to see if you find rubber grit or chunks. Use a flashlight for better view. If the rubber center is shot, you will need to replace the clutch.

jmd_forest

[J1NX3D]

i was wondering if it would be that, I have heard of the infamous rubber centre clutches.

got my car on stands now and can't make anything out with a torch. had a feel around but its just old oily grimy mess, i'll try again now though with some tools to try and pick something up (if anythings in there).

I'm guessing from the lack of input theres not much else it can be?

[bud9344]

Sound like a clutch ob to me.Don't forget it a 22 years old car the infamous rubber centre will dry up and became brittle.
I have replaced mine at around 160k mile 8 years ago, but the shop replaced it with the after market clutch which has a spring loaded dampening. But I don't like the way the car drive, shake on upshift and downshift as the clutch make contact.
I replace the clutch mydelf with the Oem clutch(With the infamous rubber center clutch).
Good Luck

----------------------------------
Bud

87 930 Black
86 951 Black
86 944 N/A part car
87 944S White
83 944 N/A Black
83 944 N/A White Auto

[J1NX3D]

thanks guys

have been looking at the clutches available on pelican. which is the better option? oem spring centre or the centreforce clutch?

[Slam]

OEM spring-centered is fine.

[2Tight]

Another good way to check if it's the clutch (it sounds like it) is safely jack up the rear end, trans out of gear, reach into the transaxle inspection hole and try to twist the driveline. If it rotates more than 1/16" your clutch is toast. The limphome tabs on my 83 looked hammeded but the car was still shifting fine, it just clunked real bad on and off throttle. The Sachs spring centered clutch is the way to go for a NA although there is a Mazda disc that works for much less.

[HondaDustR]

and what Mazda disk is that?? I'm always up for cheap fixes that work.

[Slam]

Mazda disc? I'm all ears too!

[2Tight]

Originally Posted by HondaDustR

and what Mazda disk is that?? I'm always up for cheap fixes that work.

Sorry my bad I just checked back on the old source. I should have followed up that old RL thread closer after someone posted what supposedly worked. The Mazda disc was a Ranger and a Mitsubishi Starion disc was also tried. Both fit fine but it turns out the FW bolts slightly contacted both of those discs due to offset spline housings. Another option was taking your old disc (if spring centered) and having it rebuilt for $80 at a clutch shop or by a relined one from Vertex. Not much to do with a damaged rubber center model. Personally I would just buy a Sachs if it was for an NA.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/showthread.php?t=451563&highlight=disc

[J1NX3D]

Thanks again

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by Slam

OEM spring-centered is fine.

the centreforce is some 100.00 cheaper which is why I ask...?

[John_AZ]

The Vertex clutch disc mentioned by 2Tight looks new and not relined--Price $199 each. One poster mentioned vibration but I think the disc would not cause this. The vibration is usually the flywheel and PP not balanced before assembly.

http://www.**********.com/ShowItem/677%20Porsche%20Power%20Friction%20Clutch%20Disc.a spx

John_AZ

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by 2Tight

Another good way to check if it's the clutch (it sounds like it) is safely jack up the rear end, trans out of gear, reach into the transaxle inspection hole and try to twist the driveline. If it rotates more than 1/16" your clutch is toast.

hey man, thanks. definitely spins

[J1NX3D]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

The Vertex clutch disc mentioned by 2Tight looks new and not relined--Price $199 each. One poster mentioned vibration but I think the disc would not cause this. The vibration is usually the flywheel and PP not balanced before assembly.

http://www.**********.com/ShowItem/677%20Porsche%20Power%20Friction%20Clutch%20Disc.a spx

John_AZ

thanks for the link

a friend pointed me towards zims also.
http://www.***********/acatalog/Clutch_Disc__Spring_Hub__944_S_S2.html
why right before xmas!?!

[Schumi]

Is it OK to buy just the clutch plate and not the 3 piece kit? I assume doing this would require the pressure plate to be resurfaced.

[HondaDustR]

yeah, how can you tell if the pressure plate can be reused or not?

[Slam]

Centerforce - I thought these were for high-horse applications and would be a bit heavy or jerky for daily driving. Sorry if I'm wrong!

I'd think that checking the pressure plate for runout/out of tolerance, looking for burned spots or cracking would be a good inspection.

I'd read about the Bronco clutch being used on a 931S2, and the issue was the spline housing offset. The guy who used the Bronco disc, IIRC, drilled out the rivets and put in bolts/locking nuts. Apparently it's working fine. The same clutch setup is in the 944. Do a search on www.924board.org and see what comes up.

HTH

[HondaDustR]

How about the spec clutches on lindsey? anyone ever tried those before?