Weird Clutch Issue

[mnetwork]

I recently had a clutch and flywheel installed.. Just last week I was driving my car and all of a sudden my clutch got really tight and grabbed all the way at the top. It also didni't grab very hard so when the turbo spools up the rpm's just shoot up while the car just keeps going the same speed. I was gonna bring it back to the tranny guy, but the next morning it was fine and it's been fine all week, and then today I drove to a house parked.. clutch was fine up to the moment I turned the car off.. when I get in the car 10 min later the same problem came back. This is exactly a week later. What does this sound like.. I also had the slave cylinder replaced when I had the clutch done so that is new and the clutch fluid is full..

 

[andymoraitis]

The symptoms you're describing sound very much like pedal pump up. Here's the write up directly from RRE's web page:

2G Pedal "Pump Up"

If you are fighting an inconsistent pedal adjustment in a 2G, adjust the upper pedal stop adjuster so that you gain additional free play at the top of the pedal travel. If this is your problem, you will notice that the pedal suddenly gets very tight and the release point will suddenly move up a lot, this is the cause.

2Gs need free play at the top of the pedal travel. If it is close to no travel and right on the edge, then it pumps up. Only 2Gs have a relief valve in the master cylinder that needs to be uncovered so fluid can go back into the reservoir on the clutch release. If not, it gets tighter and tighter and tighter. Then it may slowly relieve the pressure and it is back to normal. Just a 2G thing. You need more free play at the top of the pedal travel.

Left unchecked, the pedal will pump up more and more. The clutch will begin to slip since it is as if you are driving around with your foot on the clutch pedal. Also it plays hell on the crankshaft thrust bearings. The constant pressure pushes the clutch release bearing onto the clutch and flywheel. When centrifugal force throws the clutch release fingers outwards, they make additional pressure on the thrust bearings of the crank. This is an additional factor in short lived crankshaft release bearings and an additional potential cause for crankwalk.

Basically, you want to adjust pedal travel down and to do this, loosen the jam nut on the slave rod. Turn the slave rod counterclockwise one or two turns, tighten the jam nut and see how it feels. Keep in mind that when I say counterclockwise, you should be looking at the rod as if you were sitting in the driver's seat. In case you get confused, here's a link to the article:

http://www.roadraceengineering.com/clutchandflywheeltech.htm

It's a five minute fix so have at it.

Andy

 

[mnetwork]

I went to do this, but I'm a little confused.. I used your explanation and this picture (http://www.roadraceengineering.com/eclipsetech/clutch/2g-clutchadjustment.jpg) as my guidelines..

In my car at the "rod adjustment" there is a welded metal bell covernig the square like joint at the rod adjustment.. What is that and what exactly do I loosen to make the rod spin?

 

[andymoraitis]

There's a jam nut at the end of the pedal stop. You'll need to loosen that before you can adjust the slave rod. I do believe a 13mm open end is the correct size to break the nut loose. Once you have the adjustment point where you want it, don't forget to tighten the nut or the adjustment point will rise again.

 

[dsmclipse97]

A little off topic, but andy, your car is gorgeous.