Hydraulic clutch is driving me crazy!!Hello cable clutch

[tbonitz301]

I have had enough of these damn things. This will be the third time i have replaced the slave and master cylinder. It just keeps destroying them. I honestly have decide to fab a cable clutch as soon as the weather breaks. I know people swear by the hydraulic clutch's, but im done with them! I will post pics when i start my project. Cable clutch is pretty well bulletproof in my opinion. Anyone else ever thought of converting? Or has anyone attempted this?. I know its a bunch of work, but i think it will be worth it.

 

[absolute_DSM]

I think the key would be to decide WHY "it" is destroying them, not to replace them over and over and over....

 

[tbonitz301]

I know right. I just feel like i have tried everything. I mean slave cylinder, master cylinder, clutchmasters clutch/ flywheel. I just dont know. Do they work there selfs out of adjustment or something?

I just went out and looked at my car and its the master cylinder this time. Do you know if too much travel on the master rod could cause it to go bad? Id like to atleast get it working temporary till i do the cable.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

I have a master rebuild kit on the way to experiment with. My theory is that the master is over extending and blowing seals. But people insist that thats impossible. Also of interest is how several FAST high HP DSM owners claim that the master works best when adjusted within one or two threads of its max.

So? Nothing but a bunch of conflicting data.

I think the key would be to decide WHY "it" is destroying them, not to replace them over and over and over....

I'd love to know why, but nothing is adding up for me, at least. I've talked to a mechanic also, and he claims that there is nothing that can be going on inside the tranny, be it misaligned clutch, missing pressure plate bolts etc etc that would cause the hydraulics to keep blowing. That leaves three parts. The master, the slave and the line. All of which are nearly fool proof in design and function.

 

[tbonitz301]

I definetely agree with you saying that to much travel is blowing the seals.I am going to take a very close look tommorrow at what needs to be done to accept a cable clutch. Im sure that i will be much happier with a nice solid feeling clutch. The hydraulics just seem so weak!

 

[absolute_DSM]

I wouldnt think they would be "weak" with guys running around with ACT 2900 pressure plates and even stronger plates.

Something must be going on.

I would start at the basics and think...
what parts am I using : pressure plate, brand of master and slave cylinder, braided or OEM clutch line
what adjustments are made : clutch pedal height and travel, fulcrum ball shimmed or not, longer rod

Thats most of what I can think affects the pressure and travel. Im sure there are more.

Then I would just go over one by one and see if maybe Im doing something "wrong", or different from everyone else. I havent heard of many people having these problems.

 

[No_Skillz]

Just a long shot, but are you playing with the cylinders before you install them? Back in the day I'd receive the part and shove the rod in and out thinking it was cool. Then I'd wonder why it would blow after a few months. I stopped doing it and they stopped breaking.

 

[tbonitz301]

No. I wouldnt do that. Although thatnks for asking just to be sure. I have tried all the things that have been mentioned. I'm just overly frustrated with it. If i can get a cable to work it would be great, and also might inspire some other people to try it. If it turns out to be possible(which i think it is) it will save alot of headache and maintanance in the future. Such as checking fluid, changing cylinders,lines,bleeding the system.Im going to take a good look at it tommorrow.

 

[talon187]

what kind of clutch are you guys using? extended rod?

 

[tbonitz301]

I wouldnt think they would be "weak" with guys running around with ACT 2900 pressure plates and even stronger plates.

Im sorry i meant a weak pedal. You know that spongy feeling that every hydraulic clutch has.

 

[absolute_DSM]

Im sorry i meant a weak pedal. You know that spongy feeling that every hydraulic clutch has.

Roger that one.

 

[4G63-T04]

I don't understand why a cable clutch wouldn't be preferred here? (Granted I'm still new at this and still in the process) but before i deployed i went out and bought a new engine and transmission for my DSM (long story) but i am in the process of replacing the automatic tranny with a manual.

So on this note i have the master/slave cylinder etc... but I'm beginning to think that it may be more of a hassle to install the hydraulic clutch then it would be to just drop another cable through the firewall next to the shifter cables and call it a day. Am i wrong here?

 

[SnowBird]

I would think the cable would probably stretch over time for sure.

 

[Defiant]

Im sure that i will be much happier with a nice solid feeling clutch. The hydraulics just seem so weak!

Then you don't have it bled completely. Many threads on how, try the FAQ.

No, clutch cables don't stretch at any rate that isn't a simple adjustment that may need to be done once. But we won't be seeing a cable clutch on a DSM.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

Are you guys replacing your fulcrum balls and clutch forks? My friend with 120,000 miles on his dsm showed siginificant wear down, and its only obvious once you have the new parts, that will cause you to have to overadjust your master maybe overextending the cylinders and blwoing them out early.

 

[shaggyslaser]

You can only shim the fulcrum ball so much, wear is wear and the shim is a temporary solution. I'd suggest trying to get a new fulcrum ball and clutch fork.