Clutch Problem

[CONSIGLIERI]

Hell friends.
I've read lots of clutch theads, but I'm still unsure of what's happening.

I had some problems after installing my clutch.

1) When my car was cold, my pedal was very soft, but then after 1h the pedal got very very stiff.

2) Sometimes I was unable to properly engage 1st gear. To engage it, I had to put reverse (with lots of grinds) and then hit 1st again.

A friend of mine who is a mechanic bled the system lots of times, adjusted the clutch pedal and the cylinders and the car got OK for 2 weeks. But now I'm having problems AGAIN.

My car runs OK, I Can engage any gear OK, BUT yesterday when I tried to climb a ramp with my car, it would die every time it was not on an even surface (my car stays on the basement of a garage).

Does anything change from a FLAT terrain or a Ramp ? I mean, with the car inclined, can some part move differently ? I know it need more strenght to climb it... Could be MORE AIR again in the system ?

So, here's my setup(All NEW)
- XTD Stage 4 Unsprung Clutch
- ACT Streetlite Flywheel
- OEM Throwout Bearing
- OEM Pivot Ball
- Competition Forged Fork
- Exedy Slave Cylinder
- Exedy Master Cylinder

 

[mr2krazee]

Hell friends.
I've read lots of clutch theads, but I'm still unsure of what's happening.

I had some problems after installing my clutch.

1) When my car was cold, my pedal was very soft, but then after 1h the pedal got very very stiff.

2) Sometimes I was unable to properly engage 1st gear. To engage it, I had to put reverse (with lots of grinds) and then hit 1st again.

A friend of mine who is a mechanic bled the system lots of times, adjusted the clutch pedal and the cylinders and the car got OK for 2 weeks. But now I'm having problems AGAIN.

My car runs OK, I Can engage any gear OK, BUT yesterday when I tried to climb a ramp with my car, it would die every time it was not on an even surface (my car stays on the basement of a garage).

Does anything change from a FLAT terrain or a Ramp ? I mean, with the car inclined, can some part move differently ? I know it need more strenght to climb it... Could be MORE AIR again in the system ?

So, here's my setup(All NEW)
- XTD Stage 4 Unsprung Clutch
- ACT Streetlite Flywheel
- OEM Throwout Bearing
- OEM Pivot Ball
- Competition Forged Fork
- Exedy Slave Cylinder
- Exedy Master Cylinder

sounds like you could possibly have a leak at one of the hydraulic lines for the clutch. i would check those out and verify there is no leaks. trace each line to its end. also check your pedal assembly, there is a bushing for the clutch pedal that gets bored out over time. get under the dash and watch the master cylinder rod as you push in the clutch by hand, the rod should move right away, if you push the pedal and the rod does not move for a bit, then it is most likely your clutch pedal assembly. if all else fails it sounds like you have a bad clutch or improperly installed clutch, also try different gear lube in the trans to help the grinding, i recommend red line mt-90. hopefully its not your pedal assembly, they are a PITA

 

[GofaST4life]

FIRST: Rule out the possibility of leaks. If you have a leak, youll know it when you find it.

SECOND: Have your properly adjusted your new system?

Most mechanics don't understand exactly how our clutch system works. Ive had a shop bleed my clutch and then have them tell me something else is wrong. Often saying that the pedal cannot be adjusted, when in fact it can be.
This needs to be done, before anything else.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYJxQyjIhUw]Proper Clutch Adjustment - YouTube[/ame]

 

[T is for TURBO]

Where is the engagement point? Where does the clutch for sit inside the window?

also check your pedal assembly, there is a bushing for the clutch pedal that gets bored out over time.

Clutch pedal assembly failures of that type are not a 2g problem.

 

[CONSIGLIERI]

Where is the engagement point? Where does the clutch for sit inside the window?



Clutch pedal assembly failures of that type are not a 2g problem.

My engagement point is 1/4 of the floor. As soon as I release the pedal, it starts to engage.

 

[GofaST4life]

My engagement point is 1/4 of the floor. As soon as I release the pedal, it starts to engage.

You need to adjust your system properly, like I posted. Every component of your system is new, your issue is most likely a improperly adjusted master/pedal.


I have had this SAME problem before. Use the video, take your time, and it should help out greatly. Overall I spent about 30 minutes. This includes watching the video, understanding what needed to be done, and adjusting everything perfectly.

 

[CONSIGLIERI]

You need to adjust your system properly, like I posted. Every component of your system is new, your issue is most likely a improperly adjusted master/pedal.


I have had this SAME problem before. Use the video, take your time, and it should help out greatly. Overall I spent about 30 minutes. This includes watching the video, understanding what needed to be done, and adjusting everything perfectly.

Hey, thanks. The problem is that me and my friend have adjusted like in the video

The only problem now it that I can't climb a ramp... I cant exit my basement due to that. In a level surface my car works fine. That's why I asked if the car incliend could move any part differently. BUT I'll try to do that all again.

 

[T is for TURBO]

My engagement point is 1/4 of the floor. As soon as I release the pedal, it starts to engage.

Where does the clutch for sit in the window?

Should be centered or right (engine side) of center
If you are left (transmission side) of center, your clutch assembly is sitting to far away from the transmission. Most people fix this by shimming the pivot ball. I had to do this because my flywheel had been resurfaced at least twice which moved the clutch assembly further away from the fork and TOB, which ultimately caused my clutch for to hit the bell housing, and disengagement problems (right off the floor also)

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[GofaST4life]

Hey, thanks. The problem is that me and my friend have adjusted like in the video

The only problem now it that I can't climb a ramp... I cant exit my basement due to that. In a level surface my car works fine. That's why I asked if the car incliend could move any part differently. BUT I'll try to do that all again.

As long as you have done this, and ruled out a im-properly adjusted clutch, thats a step in the right direction.

May I ask: If you car is on a FLAT surface, and your driving along and you come to a INCLINE does the car then not make it up the incline even though you have not disengaged the clutch?
(if you get what im asking)

 

[CONSIGLIERI]

As long as you have done this, and ruled out a im-properly adjusted clutch, thats a step in the right direction.

May I ask: If you car is on a FLAT surface, and your driving along and you come to a INCLINE does the car then not make it up the incline even though you have not disengaged the clutch?
(if you get what im asking)

That's exactly what happens;
The car dies.
And THEN when I try to go 1st gear again i just can't. Only after puting it in reverse and then 1st again

 

[T is for TURBO]

My guess is that because his engagement is so low off the floor he isn't able to slip the clutch enough to get the car on to the ramps.

FYI- OP, have do done a clutch drag test? My guess is that you are dragging like crazy (really really really bad for syncros) It would also explain why you were having troubles selecting gears.

 

[CONSIGLIERI]

My guess is that because his engagement is so low off the floor he isn't able to slip the clutch enough to get the car on to the ramps.

FYI- OP, have do done a clutch drag test? My guess is that you are dragging like crazy (really really really bad for syncros) It would also explain why you were having troubles selecting gears.

Here's an UPDATE...
I'm in work now and I asked my father to try to take my car off the garage and he just called my saying that my car is NORMAL and he managed to climb the ramp with no problem at all...

Question is... WTF ? All of a sudden my car got normal again ? But I'm sure in 2 or more weeks this issue may raise again.

DRAG TEST: Go to a level surface, engage 1st gear and without releasing the pedal, rev the engine and see if the car don't move at all ?

 

[GofaST4life]

Here's an UPDATE...
I'm in work now and I asked my father to try to take my car off the garage and he just called my saying that my car is NORMAL and he managed to climb the ramp with no problem at all...

Question is... WTF ? All of a sudden my car got normal again ? But I'm sure in 2 or more weeks this issue may raise again.

DRAG TEST: Go to a level surface, engage 1st gear and without releasing the pedal, rev the engine and see if the car don't move at all ?

Well, there is a possibility you still have air in the lines somewhere. Which is why your clutch pedal engagement is spastic.

DRAG TEST: Put your car on a flat surface. Push in your clutch pedal and put your car in gear. Rev the engine up to at least 6500rpm, if you car moves forward, then your clutch is not disengaging completely.

Edit: yeah, you got it.

 

[mr2krazee]

Clutch pedal assembly failures of that type are not a 2g problem.

forgot we were talking about a 2g here. my apologies. perhaps he should try a mighty vac power bleeder to KNOW he properly and completely bled the system. also he should check all the hydraulic lines, pumps, and fittings for leaks even if they are new to verify proper installation. then he could at least rule those possibilities out and move on

 

[T is for TURBO]

Here's an UPDATE...
I asked my father to try to take my car off the garage and he just called my saying that my car is NORMAL and he managed to climb the ramp with no problem at all...

Better driver

Yes, you are correct about how to do the drag test.

Also, find out where that fork sits. That will tell us A LOT about the geometry of your clutch.

 

[CONSIGLIERI]

Better driver

Yes, you are correct about how to do the drag test.

Also, find out where that fork sits. That will tell us A LOT about the geometry of your clutch.

UPDATE:


My father just called me and he said the car behaved the same way on the street... Problem with engagement and bad ramp engagement. So, he took the car to my friend (mechanic)

CLUTCH DRAG TEST: PASSED (Car didn't move)

What I really DON'T UNDERSTAND is why I drove the car perfectly FINE for 100 miles or more and then after 2 weeks the clutch got bad. Then I tried to leave the Garage and couldn't. One day after my father managed to climb the ramp but then on the street it started failing...

He will raise the car in the elevator and check stuff for me. As soon as I leave my work place, I'll try to take a pic of my fork for you guys.

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[T is for TURBO]

CLUTCH DRAG TEST: PASSED (Car didn't move)

Stupid question, but I'm gonna ask it anyway... Was the hand brake applied?

 

[CONSIGLIERI]

Stupid question, but I'm gonna ask it anyway... Was the hand brake applied?

No Problem friend...
Hand Brake was OFF (car was free to walk )
But there's one problem. They did't do it until 7lk rpm... I ahve to go to 7k RPM right ?

 

[T is for TURBO]

They should have, how high did they go?