I thnk I got clutch problems on 1982 RX-7, 155,000 miles. Lately I noticed higher rpms did not seem to result in accerlation. Today it was weaker and got to the point where it will not advance in first gear when you let out clutch. Are there things to check first, like master and slave cylinders, or other clutch related items to check? Any experience in testing the clutch would be appreciated. Thank you

 

besides the generic Ebrake 5th gear trick. check leaking? when were the master/slave last replaced/rebuilt? if clutch is origional it may be time to upgrade to bigger and better and while your at it replace the master/slave. thats what i had to do. hope you fix it to get yourself back on the road.

 

Get your speed up to 40 mph, in 4th gear and floor it. If the rpms go up but the speed doesn't or it goes up slowly and doesn't match the normal rpm range, then the clutch is toast and in need of replacing.

 

usually what i do to check on the clutch is rev it up to about 3 grand, drop it in second and let go of the clutch, if it starts to take off as if it was in first gear, your clutch is getting pretty bad.

 

.

 

I am convinced the clutch is shot. I replaced the slave valve piston today (kit) and it works well. I recall I replaced this same slave valve piston about 15 years ago, maybe it is a common problem. Anyways, any experience with replacing / fixing clutches it is appreciated. It appears you can get clutch kits for about $125. How many hours of labor is usually involved, I can't do this myself and will need to get it on hoist and have someone work on it. Any experience or expense info is appreciated. THANKS

 

the only real problem is putting the tranny back up, and even that it's not so hard it just takes some time, unless you're very experienced with it lol. while you're at it, make sure your pilot bearing is still good, if you wanna/can replace it i recommend it, make sure it's very well greased up if you can't replace it. besides that clutch installation is very straight forward like any other car.

 

I replaced my own clutch on my 81. Sucked. If I would have planned better it would have been easier. Getting the tranny back up is a real pain. I basically did it in two stages. Dropping the transmission out and then putting it back up. If I would have worked solid it probally would have only taken about 5 or so hours.

I had to remove the exaust and all kinds of heat sheilds to remove the drive shaft to remove the transmission. Working on those bolts that have been under there for so long was a real pain. 5 of them eventually snapped off and I had to drill em out and re tap the holes.

If it were not for the age of the car, and that I had it up on cynderblocks and jackstands and only had about 12 or so inches to work under there it would have taken alot less time (my icon is it up on the blocks while I was doing this).

Of course the transmission fell of the floor jack even though I had it strapped on. And drinking beer while I was doing it probally didnt help either. Even so I managed to get everything back together.

 

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/what-am-i-getting-myself-into-764711/
^ that should have you covered, there's plenty of tips and what to look for while reinstalling the tranny in that thread.

 

Thanks for your info, very helpful. Sounds like something I could attempt myself, but I think I will get it on a hoist and possibly look for other things, too while at it and address problems as needed. Today I started the car and can put it in any gear while it is idling without putting clutch in and it just sits there! (thats not good, ha ha) In my old RX-7 workshop manual (Toyo Kogyo Co.) it shows clutch removal...step 1 remove transmission. remove flywheel. check or replace release bearing, pressure plant and disc. Inspect ring gear teeth and look for leaks all over.

 

Oh its for sure something you can do all on your lonesome. I know I did it.

There are bolts that are hard to reach. and you basically gotta tear the whole bottom of the car apart. (I forgot to mention pulling the starter earlier)

Get a book and the clutch kit and you should do fine.

 

Some tips from a veteran DIYer:

There's no good reason to pull the flywheel. Leave it in place and save yourself some headaches. The Pilot Bearing can be removed from under the car: there are several ways of doing that, but you often end up cursing the darn thing.

Put in a standard OEM clutch or equivalent. Don't screw around with fancy clutches or you may end up having to remove the transmission again.

you WILL need a Clutch Centering Tool to reinstall the transmission. Usually you can get a wooden one someplace for about $6. When you have your parts kit in hand you can determine the proper centering tool from the ID of the PB and the ID of the clutch plate splines.

Consider replacing the transmission input bearing while you have the transmission out. They take a lot of abuse.

Be sure to put a good grease on the shaft splines when you re-assemble. Something like silicone grease or lithium grease or boat trailer wheel bearing grease (an old favorite of mine because it resists water well).

Everybody has to do a lot of jiggling to get the thing back in and DIY guys have lots of ways to help that jiggling, so look around here on the forum. When you need help be sure to come back here.

The parts you'll need:

clutch disk
pressure plate
pilot bearing
pilot bearing seal (if available)
throwout bearing

 

The clutch has been replaced. Thanks for all your comments, you are great. The shop insisted on taking off the flywheel and resurfacing it, for the clutch warranty. Afterwards they said the flywheel was hard to get out. I did not get a chance to get under and look while they were working on it. Anyways, the 1982 is BACK ON THE ROAD!!!

 

Not to hijack this thread sorry, but Im having the same problem, as I accel the rpm's drop almost to zero and then begins to putt putt off slowly so my next week end off ill be installing a new flywheel and clutch I believe its around 175 bucks, but I guess its worth it for the mean time. Also im not leaking any fluid so I believe its the clutch, anyways I know how to change the clutch so ill only be paying min. dollar

 

to me that does not sound like a clutch problem. In my mind the EXACT opposite should happen.

The OP's problem was his RPM would rise and his speed would not. If your RPMS are dropping to zero than you have other issues. Save the money I dont think its your clutch. DL the FSM from my sig.

 

Yeah I do believe your right, I dont think its a clutch problem after all, I just needed to give it more gas while releasing the clutch however is it normal that the brake light(dash brake light) comes on sometimes while i accel in first or second??