Strange Clutch Problem - Travel gets longer...

[mikepellegrini]

I just redid the engine and clutch in my 951 and as part of that project, I replaced the clutch slave and master, and the line ( a WYIT sort a deal).

Everything works fine - BUT - the clutch engagement point keeps changing, upwards.

I set the distance per the book - a .5mm freeplay between the end of the rod and where it engages the piston in the master cylinder. This results in an approximate mid-pedal engagement point for the clutch - which seems about normal.

The problem, is that over a period of days, the engagement point has crept upwards, till where it's now at the top of the travel of the pedal. Talk about weird.

Yes, the locknut on the push rod is tight, and the rod itself hasn't turned.

The only thing I can come up with is that there might have been air in the system, and through use, the pedal "pumped up."

Although, this seems unlikely, as I bled it thoroughly using a Motive Bleeder (a couple times, with the Motive unit full of fluid - to reduce any chance of problems).

Today, I hooked up the Motive Bleeder and pumped it up to 10 PSI and let it sit for a half hour - it held the pressure just fine - although I saw a couple drops of fluid which I believe came from the supply line of the MC.

I can't believe a small leak on the supply side would suck air into the MC - it's gravity feed, not pressurized.

Anyone got any ideas? Is this thing sucking air, or was it residual air in the MC, or might there be some other cause for the pedal travel lengthening?

[mikepellegrini]

I put it back together today, adjusted it so the engagement point was mid-way in the pedal travel. So I drove around the block and in that short space of time, it now engages towards the top of pedal travel again.

Perhaps the dammed thing is haunted? I give up.

[mattdavis11]

Sounds like it's perfect to me. Never cared for a clutch that required a full pedal depress. What's your 83 like?

[mikepellegrini]

My 83's engagement point's about mid-pedal.

I don't have a real problem with the engagement point being way up high, but it's disconcerting that it keeps changing. If it keeps on creeping upwards, then there'll come a time when it doesn't fully disengage.

I dunno. I guess I'll just let it go and see what happens. I've got the point where it's fully disengaged marked in the inspection window in the bellhousing.

But it bugs the hell out of me cause it shouldn't change.