Clutch issues

[John DeCampli]

So last week my car started to be hard to get into first gear so I adjusted the clutch master under the dash just like jacks says to do worked great till yesterday when out of no where I lose all pressure and had to pump my pedal to get it in gear I have act 2600 with fedinza flywheel on a fwd gst just wondering If it is my hydraulics or worse

 

[erkitner]

Having to pump the pedal in order to get it into gear is a sure sign of loss of hydraulic pressure to the clutch slave cylinder. When the slave cylinder does not have enough pressure, it doesn't have enough strength to separate the clutch from the rest of the drivetrain.

A lot of people automatically go to the clutch master cylinder and replace it. Then wonder why nothing changes.

Think about it this way: The clutch slave cylinder is lowest point of the clutch hydraulic system. Over time, sediment and other garbage accumulates at the bottom. With all the pushing and pulling going on in the slave cylinder, the sediment that has accumulated over time will wear away the seals inside the cylinder causing small leaks which will get bigger and bigger over time causing a loss of pressure and a loss of positive clutch control.

The best thing would be to replace your clutch slave cylinder and re-service the clutch system.

It's a $35 part and 15 minute job. 2 mounting bolts and a banjo bolt to the clutch line will separate it from the transmission. Do the banjo bolt first to make your life easier. Remember, brake fluid will come out, so have something to catch it or clean it after it comes out.

Remember to bleed the clutch slave cylinder with a buddy.

Pump and hold the clutch to the bottom. Relieve the pressure/bubbles from the bleed valve at the cylinder. Repeat until you have full actuation of the clutch slave cylinder and until it "feels right" in the drivers seat.

Cheers.

- E

 

[Anthony95TSiAWD]

I had a similar problem, my clutch was having problems engaging, I am not sure if you are having the same problem but this is what I did. I replaced the master and slave cylinder to no avail. As it turns out there is a small cylinder in the clutch line sitting on the transmission if air gets inside this cylinder you may be losing pressure as you push it in and you will notice that under WOT the car will rev high and will not accelerate properly. You can try power bleeding the system but that did not work for me. What you might have to do is replace the line from master to slave.

 

[John DeCampli]

I bled the slave now I have pressure more then ever but clucth won't fully engage

Wheels still spin with clutch in the whole way It is on a lift

 

[Total Eclipse]

Have someone push the clutch and see if the clutch fork moves, and if so how much. Another issue with aftermarket (stronger) pressure plates, is that they sometimes need a slightly longer rod between the slave and fork. Mine did when I put my 2600 in. The fork would move, but not as far as it did stock (not fully disengaged) because of the additional pressure the system is now pushing against. Put a longer rod in there, and it shifted like butter.