Either my throwout bearing or pressure plate is shot. Argggg!

[speedracing944]

I was having clutch release issues near the end of the driving season last year. I put the car away suspecting the clutch master cylinder needed replacing. Last weekend I swapped the master cylinder, bled the system and the clutch still doesn't disengage. Crawling under the car while my wife pushes the clutch I noticed the slave was indeed pushing the clutch fork all the way forward. The clutch feels very mushy. When I start the car the clutch chatters pretty bad. Crawling under the car with it running I can see the clutch fork vibrating back and forth as the engine spins. Also the throwout bearing is spinning with the engine instead of staying stationary with the clutch fork.

I think there are 3 potential problems.
1) the throwout bearing is shot
2) the pressure plate fingers are broken
3) the clip that holds the throwout bearing in the pressure plate either slipped or broke only engaging a small number of fingers.

Either way it looks like I will be pulling the darn thing apart.

Speedy

[mytrplseven]

Rubber clutch? If so, any indications of pieces in the bottom of the bell housing? Either way, you're gonna have to open her up.

[Cocacolakidd]

It's possible to break a clutch bearing Fork also.

[speedracing944]

It is a spring centered clutch I installed about 15,000 miles ago.

It could be the clutch fork. It is hard to see in there even with the starter pulled and inspection covers off.

Speedy

[flash968]

have you checked the main hydraulic line to see if it is expanding under pressure, primarily where the hard line meets the hose? this is a very common problem. i've seen the pedal move the fork, but still ballon the hose and result in a mushy pedal and issues fully retracting

a sticky slave will do it too.

besides the fact that contamination from one component will find its way to another and ruin it, as well as the older components being weaker will tend to fail when a new one is installed, this is one of the reasons why all 3 components should be changed at once. diagnosing the problem is not always easy, and the components are very inexpensive, with all three only being a bit over $200, and the entire job only taking a little over 2 hours.

i'd do the simple stuff first before diving into the clutch. it's not like it would be money wasted, as you would be good to go on hydraulics for a long time.

[968 GUY]

Since the throwout bearing is spinning and the fork appears to be pushed out, may be a good time to look carefully again and probably prepare to pull it.

[speedracing944]

All components are new, master and slave. The fork pushes all the way and the nose bottoms out on the other side of the inspection hole. The hydraulics are working fine.

Speedy

[968 GUY]

Please let us know when you figure it out.
Good luck.

[flash968]

the high pressure line is frequently thought to be "fine". unfortunately if fails from the inside and cannot be inspected. these lines are only rated for 5 years, and often are much older than that. they fail all the time. sometimes you are lucky enough to catch it while it is still just ballooning. you can't see this though unless you are looking at it while somebody is pushing the pedal.

it may well be that you have a failed major clutch component, but definitely best to rule out the line before diving into that nightmarish project.

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by flash968

the high pressure line is frequently thought to be "fine". unfortunately if fails from the inside and cannot be inspected. these lines are only rated for 5 years, and often are much older than that. they fail all the time. sometimes you are lucky enough to catch it while it is still just ballooning. you can't see this though unless you are looking at it while somebody is pushing the pedal.

it may well be that you have a failed major clutch component, but definitely best to rule out the line before diving into that nightmarish project.

Hmmm... great insight.
Where am I seeing this hose?
( I checked Clark's CLUTCH-02, Clutch Slave Cylinder Replacement and Bleeding but didn't see it specifically referenced)

Is it 951.423.189.01 ?

TIA

[flash968]

it will be connected to the master, and then runs down along the side of the engine to the slave. it transitions from hard line to rubber line. this is where the failure usually occurs.

[snake1996]

If you need a pressure plate I have a good one. I am located near Chicago. My e-mail is munstermarathon@msn.com

[speedracing944]

I have a spare as well but if I need one I will contact you. I will have to see what the issue is yet.