clutch release fork.

bigyagi · bigyagi's Garage

i couldent resist taking the old girl out for one more last time, before taking things apart, and putting away for winter.
anyhoo, i started to notice that when pulling away from lights etc, instead of a smooth takeaway, the clutch was "grabbing". as i moved away at a set of lights, the guy in front suddenly stopped, and i pushed the clutch pedal all the way in,but the car still wanted to go forward. i had a hard time putting the shifter in neutral. i left the car for about an hour, and then drove home, with no further issues. does this sound like the release fork is sticking ? if so, is it possible to gain access to lubricate, without taking half the car apart ?
tnx, bob.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Sounds like the clutch hydraulics are going out. Check your brake fluid reservoir level. Could even be the clutch disk failing IF it still has the rubber center. Chunks of the rubber will get between the disk and the plates causing all sorts of mischief.

924RACR · 10-27-2006, 10:36 AM

What he said. I'm in the middle of helping a bud replace the clutch in his S2; prior unit was rubber-centered, and would have this odd deal where sometimes it'd work OK, sometimes it wouldn't come out of gear (as you describe, has engine braking with clutch in, trans in gear, and will continue to idle along too). We also thought the hydraulics might be bad, but they checked out fine. Final obvious point for diagnosis was the massive amount of driveline lash.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Also on the older 944's the fire wall around the clutch master cylinder cracks. This lets the cylinder move rather than function. You can wedge a piece of wood/ply 3/8" thick between the cylinder and the brake booster to see if it makes a difference.

bigyagi · bigyagi's Garage

thanks for replys. so-cal,i know all about the firewall cracking, i addressed this last year, and just recently replaced the master/slave cylinders too. i did check the clutch rod at the inspection hole, and it seems to be in the middle of the range.
i have had the car for almost 5 years, and have no idea what clutch is in it, rubber, or springs, but i have to say, i think i do notice some backlash, if i suddenly lift my foot off the throttle, and then go back on, so maybe its time to replace the clutch--yikes !!
bob.

924RACR · 10-29-2006, 04:55 AM

Finished his clutch R+R yesterday (friend with the S2 mentioned above). Runs/drives great now, trans is fine! Took a couple of good tries before we got the slave to bleed well, though - what a PITA!

bigyagi · bigyagi's Garage

hmmm. i had to take the old girl out again, for one last check etc. shifted great, with no grabbing. going along at 40mph, lifting off the pedal quickly, i do notice some backlash, but i'm being very picky. doing it smoothly, no backlash.
however, as i got back home, i was finding it increasingly harder to put the car into 1st gear. it did not want to budge. if i moved the shifter thru 3rd, then 2nd, then it would go into gear, but not if i tried to put it straight into 1st. i have always had a little play at the shifter, both ways, but this time, with the difficulty getting into 1st gear, i checked the play, and in the front to back movement, there was a ton of play, and i did notice more little more side to side. seems like the bushing has gone south, or something in the linkage is all bent out of shape! i think before i get all crazy and start stripping the car/taking sledge hammer etc, i will have to address the shifter problem, as its clouding the issue.
bob.

924RACR · 10-29-2006, 08:05 AM

Sounds like a good idea...

bigyagi · bigyagi's Garage

last check. with the engine off, i can select 1st gear with no problems. turn the engine on, and it wont go into 1st, unless i go thru the gate like 3rd gear, then 4th gear, and then it goes into 1st gear. engine on, and going into reverse, i can hear the gears meshing, and its not pretty.
so i think the clutch is done, and it sounds like its the rubber center one.
as i'm still on afternoons, i wont get a chance to make a start until next saturday, but after reading about the procedure, it looks like more time-consuming than anything else!
thanks for replys/info/help.
bob.

924RACR · 10-30-2006, 03:57 AM

Pull the starter out, see if you get any rubber shreds. The S2 owner thought he had a spring-centered clutch, that was our first clue his was rubber-centered... and blown! Rubber mini-tire-worms everywhere, like dust.

bigyagi · bigyagi's Garage

hi vaughn. i recently replaced the master/slave cylinder, due to clutch pedal on the floor. i did not notice anything amiss, but will crawl under the car tomorrow, and remove the starter, and take a look see, with a trouble light. also going to check the tranny oil level, in the hope that maybe its lost some fluid, and just needs a top-up ! one can live in hope,right !
its just strange that its all ok when the car is cold, and after it heats up, thats when the trouble with the shifting starts. if the rubber center was going/gone, i would expect trouble from the get go!
anyhoo, tnx, i appreciate your thoughts !
bob.

924RACR · 10-30-2006, 09:18 AM

Well, a good look under there certainly won't hurt. Interesting that you replace the hydraulics a little while ago - perhaps they need a re-bleed? Can you have someone else operate the clutch pedal while you watch the end of the throwout lever? Compare cold to hot operation?

Just trying to think of diagnosis options before complete teardown; you're right, there's not much tricky stuff in the job (release fork pivot removal and flywheel sensors being the big ones to me), just a lot of wrenching...