What are the signs of dying clutch?

[supersport]

Hi,

My car, an 1987 3.2 so G50, has been in storage since last July and only used a couple of times since then, the last in October. I finally got it back last week and it went straight for a major service.

So this weekend we went out for a drive and I wasn't sure if the clutch was on the way out or if I am just not used to driving it. Everything seemed pretty normal, but after about 20-30 miles the clutch peddle started to feel a little odd. The best way I can describe it is as if there was a cable attached to the peddle and it was rubbing on something, so the action wasn't as smoothe as it used to be.

I had no problems getting into gear though. It can be a little iffy on second when cold, but you just have to be slow with it. We stopped a couple of times whilst out and I am not sure now, but it seemed to be normal when it was cold.

To start with I thought it was me, but now I think it was me, but now I don't think so. I am going to take it out again and get a handle on what isn't right about it.

 

[Mark Elder]

After long storage it's more likely the seals or some other aspect of the master or slave cylinders, rather than the actual clutch itself - the fact that you feel something through the pedal would also point me at the cyinders rather than the clutch.

Good clutch test is to put car in top gear at about 2000 rpm and floor the accelerator while watching the rev counter (and road[]) - if the rev counter gains speed faster than the car, then start thinking about where to get a new clutch. Mine would zoom up to 5000 or so and then dart around as the car tried to catch up, before I had to replace it.

 

[supersport]

By doing a search I had come across mention of possible air in the hydraulics that could possibly be a cause but just though I would describe my symptoms exactly and see what kind of response I got.

Cheers

Mark.

 

[3.2_fordy]

Mark
It would not harm to change the clutch fluid its one of the things that's gets overlooked even when they change the brake fluid at a service
I found it only takes about 1/2hr to do from start to finish
Also worth a check is in the pedal footwell I found a bit of crap jamming the mechanism on my wife's car once

 

[totsnap]

Mark it could also be a failing Master cylender - located behind the pedal board and can cause the clutch to feel sticky and slow on return.
Worth a look at the cylender to see how coroded it is.
After fitting a new clutch to my car it was proved that all that Id needed was a new MC.

Cheers
Adam

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

There was a mod/update for the clutch fork assy in the bellhousing to stop it binding. Maybe you need this done. Maybe the rubber part of your clutch plate is breaking up...

I hope you just need to clean up the linkages in the pedal box as suggested.

 

[totsnap]

ORIGINAL: nathan 1981 930 G50

There was a mod/update for the clutch fork assy in the bellhousing to stop it binding.

Yes when I had a new clutch fitted it was discovered that my car had not had the modification done (which I think had been a factory recall) but still had probs.... and after cleaning out any foreign debris from the pedal box still had no joy until mine was solved with a new master cylender.
Im sure that there will be a lot of cars that necer had the mod fitted and have lasted till now, wonder how crucial the mod was...
Mark, hope you get your prob sorted and please post the cure on here!
Adam

 

[supersport]

Thanks for all your help chaps, here's hoping its the master cylinder, will let you know.

Cheers

Mark.

 

[supersport]

The car was examined today and an attempt was made to bleed the clutch. Sadly this didn't produce any air and made no difference to the cars behaviour.

It looks like things had deteriated further and fully depressing the clutch peddle produced a grindy rattle, diagnosis - time for a new clutch. Oh hum that;s the way it goes.

I suspect that it could be on the originial clutch, I have no previous invoices and the car has done 85K, so that should be it for the next twenty years.

 

[nathan 1981 930 G50]

ORIGINAL: totsnap

ORIGINAL: nathan 1981 930 G50

There was a mod/update for the clutch fork assy in the bellhousing to stop it binding.

Yes when I had a new clutch fitted it was discovered that my car had not had the modification done (which I think had been a factory recall) but still had probs.... and after cleaning out any foreign debris from the pedal box still had no joy until mine was solved with a new master cylender.
Im sure that there will be a lot of cars that necer had the mod fitted and have lasted till now, wonder how crucial the mod was...

I can't remember which way round it was but a plain bush was changed for a ball bearing or vica versa. I doubt that you would get totally stranded, probably just a delayed release of the clutch compared to how fast you lifted off the pedal.

 

[totsnap]

[/quote]

I can't remember which way round it was but a plain bush was changed for a ball bearing or vica versa. I doubt that you would get totally stranded, probably just a delayed release of the clutch compared to how fast you lifted off the pedal.
[/quote]

My pedal was returning but sticking part way and I had to prod it out with my toe to get the clutch to bite which caused great amusement to on-lookers when the car either stalled or lurched foward, mainy this would happen in 1st gear, but on occasions other gears also, but first was the most awkward to deal with.
I was just a bit miffed at the expense of a new clutch install + the modification when I still had the same prob afterwards, until I got a new MC. - Wish Id tried that first![&:][&:][&:]

 

[supersport]

Quick update now the car is back in my garage and feels very nice.

Basically it looks like the year in storage did for the clutch, all rusted up and nasty although there was some life left in the clutch plate itself.

So the car now has a nice new shinny clutch and associated bits and pieces and had the gearbox mod to allow the Clutch fork shaft from the 964 fitted as old parts no longer available.

I also now have something in common with those funny water cooled 911s in that I have also had the RMS replaced []

Turned out to be quite expensive but it rides like a dream now, and I just have to get used to the peddle being a lot softer.