Clutch Adjustment Issues

[sax_man]

Hey guys I just installed a Southbend SS clutch with the TZ disc about a week and a half ago. I have around 300 miles so far on the break in. I also installed the underhood shift bushings from map because mine were pretty worn. Master and slave were replaced about 2 years ago and only have 15k of light use on them.

Anyways... I'm getting very inconsistent shifting right now. It changes almost every time I drive the car. Sometimes it's smooth as butter, and other times there's a lot of resistance when I try to shift, and I'll have to wait till the rpms drop to almost idle before I can get in the next gear.

I've adjusted my clutch pedal as described by the Jack's Transmission vid multiple times, but after a few days if I go to try and move the slave cylinder, it won't budge and I have to start the process over again. Is this normal for the clutch break in period? I feel like once I've adjusted the master rod so the relief valve is working I shouldn't be messing with it every 3 days.

Also, this probably isn't important, but when we were moving the transmission I spilled a cup or so of fluid. I didn't think much of it cause it was such a small ammount, but I guess it's worth mentioning as well.



Basically is this normal for the break in period, or is there something else going on here? (syncros, bad pedal, loose bolts, etc?)

 

[daren_p]

No, once its set, it should basically stay set. You may not have quite enough freeplay at the top by doing Jacks method. The best info out there on our clutch adjustment can be found here:

Eclipse Clutch Adjustment

 

[sax_man]

Okay would not enough freeplay at the top cause my problem of not being able to depress the slave after a few days even after it was properly set.

 

[daren_p]

Its a possibility, if your freeplay is set on the edge of just being enough. Under some conditions the relief valve won't open, causing pedal pump up/not being able to push the slave rod in.

Guess there's always the possibility of a clutch issue or CW but I'd imagine its just an adjustment issue.

 

[sax_man]

So going by that link you posted, first thing I should do is verify that my pedal is 7" off the firewall, right?

 

[daren_p]

I don't usually bother to measure. I backed off my upper switch abit, which allows the most amount of fluid transfer for the most movement at the PP. Then set for proper freeplay.