what's my best option for a slipping clutch?
 

well, my clutch has started to slip. i have a 72 and i'm sure it's just wearing out due to old age. does it have to be replaced or can i fix it somehow? any ideas on what to do?

thanks

scotty

Well it's worth trying to loosen the clutch cable maybe 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Its really easy to get to it. Get under the car from behinf the right rear tire with two 10mm wrenches. The clutch cable wraps around a pully to an arm that comes out of the bellhousing, where it is held by two 10 mm nuts. I usually also take vice grips to hold the clutch cable at the base of the bolt. If you loosen much more tha 1/2 turn, I think you might start having difficult shifting because of incomplete seperation of the flywheel .

Another posibility, especially if there is any oil contamination on the clutch. Put the front of the car up against something solid, a tree trunk, a building wall, select 2nd or third gear, rev. the engine and gently let the clutch out so that it is slipping and heating the linings, hold it there until you are sure that the clutch is hot. Take it for a spin and see if the clutch is revuvenated.

I did this on an oily clutch once, burning off the glaze on the clutch face.
Drove it until I sold it, a year or so afterwards.

philinjax
Shade Tree Mechanic

you can also replace the clutch by taking only the trans out, not engine and trans.

Taking out the transmission only is a fairly easy thing to do. I would replace the rear main engine seal, the front tranny seal, the throwout bearing and the pilot bearing, while you have it apart.

If you don't have a Terry cable, upgrade.

James

Re: what's my best option for a slipping clutch?
 

Replacement. More than likely it's due, or very close to it. May as well get it over with.

thanks for the info, i might try loosening the clutch cable to get me by til winter, another quick question, what's a terry cable??

thanks

scott

Ask and ye shall recieve!!
http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/POR_9144_pedals_pg1.htm#item7

BTW, it's two M7 nuts; you need two 11mm wrenches to work them.

--DD

oops. Yeah, 11, not 10. Thanks dave

I have to say, I replaced my clutch myself, following the tech article found on this site. It was the largest mechanical job I ever did, and it went smoothly.... so if you are afraid, just clench your teeth and go for it, you will be proud that you did it yourself like I was! Just remember that the tranny is full of lube, and it has a vent on the top! (ask me how I learned this!)
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/914_clutch_replace/914_clutch_replace1.htm