Odd clutch problem

[christiane]

I just finished my built motor install and everything went great (didn't have the first leak on the initial startup and it started on the dirst attempt). Anyway, today I went to take the car out of the garage and it would not go into gear. I then adusted the clutch rod to take some of the play from the top of the clutch. At which point the car still would not go into gear. I then adjusted some more. Finally the rod that goes into the clutch mastercylinder bent. I just ordered a new clutch master cylinder, however I am curious as to what I am doing wrong. Here are the details of my clutch: SBR extreme heavy duty clutch kit, SBR chrome moly fly wheel.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[1fast97gsx]

I have done this before too ... almost sounds like you have air in the lines. In my case it was a bad act disk that caused the 2g pedal pump up problem and started it with no pressure after it sat for a while. If you literally just keep pumping and pumping it for a few minutes straight does it begin to work and feel like it has more pressure?

 

[christiane]

No matter how much I pump it does not disengage teh clutch. After doing some additional research here I confirmed that I need to shim my fulcrum arm. So I am now in the process of dropping the tranny.

 

[1fast97gsx]

Ouch. Rather than pulling the tranny and simply shimming the ball, I would rather find the true problem and repairing that instead of masking the problem with a shim. I know a lot of dsmers shim their stuff, but that doesn't mean it's the proper way to do it. You are already in there ... might as well fix what is wrong.

 

[Vallary99]

Please, please, please check all your parts especially your clutch disc before you go shimming the fulcrum. You could be in my boat, where the pressure plate fingers are actually being pushed in TOO FAR and it's touching the center of the clutch disc. If that is the case, you can see a nice littke "ring" where the tips of the pressure plate fingers were literally touching the disc. (I'm on the third time for dropping the tranny).

 

[christiane]

How can I tell if the disengagement arm is worn? I looked at the fulcrum ball and it does not appear to be worn at all (still perfectly round with no distortion whatsoever). The disengagement arm MAY be worn but it is hard to tell because I do not know how deep the 'hole' is suppose to be. I am going to go ahead and replace the arm.

Vallary, how far did you shim the ball to cause it to press the PP fingers too far?

Also, does anyone know where I can purchase an upgraded disengagement arm? It appears taboo is no longer in existence?

 

[christiane]

To close this thread my specific problem was resolved by replacing the ball, and arm with OEM Mitsu parts. I then went ahead and shimmed the fulcrum ball. Adjusted the MC rod as per roadrace's instructions. This took care of all of my clutch engagement issues. Thanks for everyone's help.