RotorJoe

This mechanic (that I paid under the table) came over to my house and we started my clutch install. We got the tranny almost all the way out. We then realized that it is a pull type clutch (I think) and we need to remove the pressure plate bolts before the tranny will slide completely free. The pressure plate bolts were loose and at most only hand tight. I have lots of clutch left and the mechanic stated that my clutch slips due to the pressure plate not being tightened down. Clutch disk looked like it had about 70% left give or take. Against my better judgment I took his word, we should have just replaced everything anyway. I thought I might be able to pull more life out of this one. We pulled the six bolts one by one and added loc-tite and tightened them down. This was about 2:00am and we were both done beat at that point. Everything was put back together and was ready for a test drive.

The first thing I noticed was my clutch pedal had a much better, stiffer feel. We did nothing to adjust the pedal height or the slave cylinder on the bell housing. Either way it feels good and disengages very high off the floor, which I like. The question, what the heck could have been different.

This morning I left early to wash and clean all the greasy fingerprints of my beautiful paint. On the way to the car wash (I bring my own mitts and supplies, I just use their hot soapy water), I notice that the clutch feels pretty much the same in the engagement from a stop and shifting was the same. Still a real notchy and sometimes difficult to get it into gear without double clutching. I though hum, well, maybe that’s normal with my short shifter. It still required some slippage to get it going from a stop. But the clutch felt a touch better. I then went for a fourth and fifth gear pull down an open freeway and noticed the clutch still slips. It slips in the same RPM and boost range as before. DAMN!!! I guess the loose bolts were not it.

Here are my questions:
Why does my clutch pedal feel so much different when we didn’t adjust the pedal or the clutch slave cylinder? Could this not have been aligned right or not tight?

We thought that the pressure plate being loose was the cause of the slippage, the disk was upwards of 70% left, and so what could be causing my clutch to slip?

My thoughts are bad pressure plate (shot springs/fingers), flywheel is glassed? Not sure though.

This mechanics is a buddy of mine and he won't charge me extra for round number two. In round number two we are going to do a full clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, pilot, throw out bearings, and clutch fork. I also have a new main engine oil seal, stainless steal clutch line and other fluids.
I am just venting some frustrations and wondering what your guy’s thoughts might be.

Howard Coleman

iTrader: (6)

if your pressure plate was finger tight on the flywheel it was too loose to lock up the disc which led to slippage. if you have an organic disc the slippage glazed and wore down the disc thickness. you probably just need a new disc. a small amount of wear on the disc is magnified by the leveraged linkage. my guess is your pressure plate is o k
howard coleman