Stiff clutch (already been replaced)

[notfarnow]

Back when I bought my 964/4 in January, the clutch was slipping and was very, very stiff. I replaced it right away

I was surprised when I first drove it after the replacement... the clutch was still very stiff. I use the car as my daily driver (20k miles since January), and my leg is often very tired at the end of the day, and my knee is starting to bother me.

I drove an '86 Carrera the other day and the clutch was as light as a %$#@ Tercel. Surely something must be wrong... or is the 964 clutch that much stiffer?

This is the one aspect of the car that detracts from it being an ideal daily driver

[Jim Richards]

How's the clutch hydraulics looking, Jake? Fresh fluid? Clean slave cylinder?

[notfarnow]

Thanks Jim, I guess I never considered that the hydraulics could cause it to be stiff... But I suppose it could. Maybe I should try bleeding it

[porterdog]

I dunno- these cars have a rep for being pretty manly... Comparing it to a Tercel isn't valid IMO.

[notfarnow]

Originally Posted by porterdog

I dunno- these cars have a rep for being pretty manly... Comparing it to a Tercel isn't valid IMO.

I've driven other 911s with clutches as light as tercels or civics. Somethings seems to be amiss with my 964. If anything, the 964's are supposed to be "softer" 911s, better suited to daily driver usage

[rbogh901]

Rebuild the pedal cluster, especially the pin and plastic bushings. They are cheap and help it out. Mine is pretty light.

[bazar01]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

Back when I bought my 964/4 in January, the clutch was slipping and was very, very stiff. I replaced it right away

I was surprised when I first drove it after the replacement... the clutch was still very stiff. I use the car as my daily driver (20k miles since January), and my leg is often very tired at the end of the day, and my knee is starting to bother me.

I drove an '86 Carrera the other day and the clutch was as light as a %$#@ Tercel. Surely something must be wrong... or is the 964 clutch that much stiffer?

This is the one aspect of the car that detracts from it being an ideal daily driver

It really depends on which parts were replaced. Replacing just the pressure plate, clutch disc, throw out and pilot bearings and guide tube will lighten the pedal a little.
Do you know if the fork needle bearings and cross shaft were replaced? Stiff clutch is mostly caused by the rusted needle bearings seized on the cross shaft. There is also an upgrade using bronze bushings instead of needle bearings.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by bazar01

Do you know if the fork needle bearings and cross shaft were replaced? Stiff clutch is mostly caused by the rusted needle bearings seized on the cross shaft. There is also an upgrade using bronze bushings instead of needle bearings.

This is a pretty common cause of the stiff pedal. Porsche issued a TSB for this around 1988 and Weltmeister makes a great bronze bushing kit. But, for some reason, Porsche went back to the needle bearings a few years later. When I had my tranny out three yrs. ago, I lost the left side bearing cap, so I had to get a new one. Still, next time I'm putting a bronze bushing kit in there. We did this on my '87 Carrera long ago and it made a world of difference.

[porterdog]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I've driven other 911s with clutches as light as tercels or civics. Somethings seems to be amiss with my 964. If anything, the 964's are supposed to be "softer" 911s, better suited to daily driver usage

Could be, I guess, but I'd never describe the clutch in my 964 as 'softer'; it's definitely heavier than anything else I've had in my stable for the past 5 years (an Audi 4000, Miata w/turbo kit and uprated clutch, couple of Subarus, a CRV). You didn't say specifically- are you comparing to other 964s?

Mebbe mine has an issue too!

[trak ratt]

We have a 964 and '84 Carrera. Neither requires much effort. 964 might be a little easier due to hydo. Lots of other things can cause the clutch to be hard. As others have said could be peddles or other clutch related gear.

[rbogh901]

Where do you get the weltMeister bushing kit?

[Rick Lee]

It was 11 yrs. ago, but I got it from our own John Walker's Workshop. Call Pelican tomorrow and see if they can get it for you. Not gonna mention competitors here, but if they can't get it, report back and I'll make some suggestions. Your local independent P-car wrench should be able to source it too.