Ok, here's the story. I've got a new clutch for my 13BT beast, so while I was at it, I replaced the all of the hydraulics besides the hardline. I've bled the system the best I know how, but my pedal is still pretty mushy... as soft, or softer than stock. I'm not so sure it's even fully disengaging the clutch. I'm not sure what to do next. Any ideas of things I might be overlooking.

On a side note, I got it started late tonight.... almost started right up, but was idling really low.... I just borrowed a friends digital camera, so pics to come tomorrow, hopefully.

 

If it's an aftermarket clutch, such as a Centerforce stage 2 it's supposed to feel light on the pedal. That's how they are designed.

 

Its a Spec Stage 2, kevlar faced clutch, if that helps. If this is how its suppose to feel, its the softest aftermarket clutch capable of holding 400+ Hp I've ever touched.

 

anyone?

 

This is how I bleed the clutch, it takes 2 people cause nobody's arms are that long.
I put my mityVac on the slave cylinder bleeder, pump up the mityVac and open the bleeder. As the fluid is being puller thru I keep adding fluid to the CMC. (clutch master cylinder).
After a complete fluid flushing I close the bleeder. Then I get my lovely assistance and have her pump the clutch pedal a few times, and then I have her take her foot off then I open the bleeder (mV still attached with vacuum) I have her push the clutch pedal down and hold it to the floor. At that point I close the bleeder, I repeat several times until all the air is out of the system.

OF course this assumes that you install all of the new componets correctly.

 

If your solo , here's how to do it. Take a plastic cup (any clean cup will do ) Next : a piece of fish tank size hose thats clear.Next : open the bleeder on the slave cyl. Next : Take one end of the clear hose and push it on the bleeder, put it on good. Next : pour about a 1/4 cup of brake fluid in the plastic cup Next : place the other end of the clear hose in the cup. ( i use a cloths pin to hold the hose in the cup, make sure the end of the hose is at the bottom of the cup and in the brake fluid ) Next :
Remove the CMC top,add fluid so it's full, Next : Get in the car and pump the clutch pedal a couple of times, the pedal WILL be soft ! then check the CMC and add fluid if it needs it, pump the pedal again, the clear hose allows you to see the air bubbles pass through it, when no bubbles, tighten up the bleeder, and check the pedal presure by pushing the pedal, should be harder or resistance, pull the hose off, top off the CMC, recap the CMC. and thats it !! And of coarse thats with everything installed right.

 

Yeah, I did mine like Mark said and it worked just fine, although, I never thought to use the clothes pin to hold the tube in the cup, I always carefully balanced it .

~T.J.

 

Hey what ever method works for you.

I have used a MityVac for years (retails for about $25) for bleeding the brake system and clutch system.

I do it annual on all my cars to remove any dirt/moisture, and the MV makes it easy for 1 person to flush the entire brake system in about 10 minutes, if you have the tires already off for tire rotation.

My .02¢

John

 

I need to get some clear hose, I think that would help. I am pretty sure the hydraulics are devoid of air though.

I think I have the clutch pedal play set OK, but could that have some effect on the pedal being soft, or the clutch not fully disengaging?

 

I use a 20 oz pop bottle. Just drill a hole in the cap, fill it up about halfway with brake fluid, and stick a hose in through the hole and into the fluid. Try and find a hose that is around the same size as the nipple for the slave cyl. I also bled mine by myself using a crowbar. I'd pump the pedal a few times and hold it with my foot and put a crowbar in place to hold the clutch as I got out of the car. Then I'd loosen the slave's valve, watch the air bubbles, shut the valve and then repeat the whole process. It may take a little longer but it worked and I havn't had any problems since. How do you know you're clutch isn't disengaging? About the pedal being soft...my Centerforce stage 2 clutch is so soft that I can push the pedal down with my pointer finger. It holds up to 400 HP just fine.

 

My dual friction 6puck clutch w/ race pressure plate has a softer pedal than the stock clutch.

 

Interesting, I always thought aftermarket clutches were designed to have a slightly heavier feel...

I'll try again to see if the clutch is disengaging. I just replaced the slave, the one that came on the transmission had a bent bleeder, and I think it was leaking slightly. Before that, even after bleeding it many times the car wouldn't roll down the driveway while in gear. It is a tad bit stiffer with the new slave, so maybe its OK. It just feels a bit limp.

 

Did you bench bleed the new cylinder before installing? I'm not sure if you need to with the clutch cylinder, but I know you do with the brake master or else it takes a while for the cylinder to start working right.

 

No, no I didn't... what should I have done. How do you bench bleed?

 

The clutch master cylinder is no different than the brake master cylinder. The stroke of the pedal rod in the car is by design not intended to go from one end of the master cylinder to the other in a complete 100% effective stroke. You would destroy the soft parts in a hurry and have a service life of 50 miles or so on a rebuild. That means the master cylinder of either the clutch or brake system has to be bled on the bench where you, the human operator, can apply a stroke long enough to completely purge it of any air safely.

 

Priming is what it's called. The same with the brake master cyl. before installing either piece in the car.
Use a vise to hold the master cyl.(s) fill up with brake fluid, and use a screw driver or what ever and push (pump) the piston in and out. I use screw-in plugs for the brake master (where the hardlines go ). For the clutch use the slave,hose,and CMC,connected together
and 'prime' the system. It's easy.

 

OK, I see what you're saying, I'll give that a try.

 

heh heh. my cluch pedal stuck in on day. I think i migth have to fix it. heh. I love my car. I also love gray goose vodka. hehehehehe....