Clutch problem diagnosis, please

[thekellbeast]

So I need a bit of help figuring out what's wrong with my clutch. I was driving along in 4th, and when I went to downshift into 3rd, it wouldn't go into gear. The shifter just couldn't go, no matter what. Since I couldn't get it to go into gear, I coasted to a stop and killed it. With the car off, I could get it to go into gear like normal. However, when I went to start it again in 1st with the clutch pressed in, it lurched forward like the clutch wasn't disengaged. I ended up limping home by 'lurch starting' it in 1st, then shifting without the clutch, even up to 4th.

Afterwards, my friend tried driving around, and for some reason the clutch started working again. Except when he was slipping the clutch, it would make a really bad whirring/rubbing noise.

The clutch fluid level is full, and I have the long SBR line from master to slave, so the resevoir and stock lines are eliminated.

So here's my thought process. There's nothing wrong with the shifter linkage, because it I could use every gear just fine, shifting without the clutch. The noise from the clutch slipping makes me thing that it's a problem with the pressure plate/disc. On the other hand, pressing in the pedal had no effect on whether the clutch engaged or not, so it might be a slave/master cylinder.

I'd much rather spend ~150 bucks replacing the slave master cylinders than do a whole clutch job, even though that might be what I need eventually. I really don't know a whole lot about throwout bearings and pivots and shift levers and all that crap. Anyone have a definite answer?

[talon187]

What kind of clutch stock 2100,2600? if your running a 2600 did you exstend the rod? if not that could be a reason why its no engauging or disingauging. if its stock how many miles are on it how much boost are you running because it sounds like the cutch might of shit the bed did you notice any sliping under boost before this ?

[19Eclipse90]

It doesn't make noise while the clutch pedal is depressed? And then when you let off the clutch it starts making noise? If you let off the clutch pedal in neutral, does it still make noise?
Sounds to me like the throw out bearing may have been torn apart. You're going to need to drop the transmission to really find out what's going on inside though.

[thekellbeast]

Originally Posted by talon187

What kind of clutch stock 2100,2600? if your running a 2600 did you exstend the rod? if not that could be a reason why its no engauging or disingauging. if its stock how many miles are on it how much boost are you running because it sounds like the cutch might of shit the bed did you notice any sliping under boost before this ?

Stock clutch, 157k miles. To the best of my knowledge, it's the original factory clutch. When I changed out boost controllers, it was pushing from 15 to 20psi for a day before I caught it and cranked it back down to stock boost. It's not a t25 either - it's an 18g with a lot of supporting mods.

I've only noticed it slipping once, when my friend slammed from 1st to 2nd at full throttle. It just slipped through the whole rpm range, and we smelled burning clutch for a while after that. That was a couple months back though.

I only really noticed the noise when my friend was driving it around the parking lot. He pulled up next to me and stopped. When he started to let the clutch out, either forward or reverse, is when we got the weird noise. So basically as the clutch engaged.

Thanks for the quick responses guys!

[cbassgsx]

150k on a stock clutch with an 18g I'd say its toast! Replace it all flywheel, clutch, fork ball and a mitsu tob. do it once do it right. Tranny pullin kinda sux

[talon187]

yeah ill second that do it right the first time maybe upgrade the trans while your at it if you want. if thats what your running id go with a act 2600 dont use the after throw out bearing they sux go with a mitsu one you'll be happy in the long run ive got one with a built motor and trans and i love the 2600 kicks ass good luck

[talon187]

o yeah one for more thing i forgot you ###### should change the slave cycinder to since your there could make a diff when you put the new one in again good luck