About a month ago, I put in a King Cobra clutch - came with new TOB and I also replaced the TOB retainer since I was replacing everything because of a mangled TOB. The install seemed to go smoothly, but I started noticing something recently... It only happens when the engines running, and the problem seems to begin occuring after driving for a few minutes. Basically, when the clutch is fully depressed, and I go to let it out, if I let it out slowly I can feel a slight grinding/sticking feeling as it starts to release. It only happens for a split second, then the pedal travel is silent and normal. The car shifts fine and the clutch seems to grab really well, I'm just wondering if this would be an issue with the TOB again? Any advice would be great!
Greatttt, problem with clutch w/ 1k on it
- Thread starter 302GTS
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TrueBlue95GT
Member
Did you lube up the pivot point? That's the only thing I can think of other that poor break in. Poor break in would only score it though. Did you resurface the flywheel when you did everything?
Not sure what the pivot point is, so I can safely say I didn't do that. As for break in, I went 500+ miles babying it beyond belief. As for the flywheel, unfortunately I didn't... The replacement flywheel I bought didn't fit properly, but I believe the clutch that was in the car had been replaced quite recently, as the entire assembly looked BRAND new. The flywheel had no marks or anything, so I cleaned it up and made it look pretty and ended up reusing the old one.
TrueBlue95GT
Member
At the top passenger part of the bellhousing, there's a pivot ball for the clutch fork to pivot on. I would do that first, but unfortunately, the tranny needs to come down to lube it.
Well, I'm thinking maybe I put the TOB on slightly wrong or something, and that's causing the issue, which if it's anything bad I hope it's that since it's a $20 part. I'll check the pivot ball also though. I should have the time this weekend to drop the tranny and figure it all out. What would I lube it with? Just basic grease/assembly lube?
I was about to say this is typical with a TOB retainer that's been damaged by a bad TOB, but you replaced that. I presume you replaced it with a steel one, or did you use an OEM aluminum one?
The instructions I read said to lube both the pivot ball and the TOB retainer. You might be able to lube up the pivot ball a little bit through the cover over the clutch fork (covers the cable attachment), but I would imagine that would be a major PITA. You can also get some grease on the TOB retainer.
It is possible the pivot ball is worn as well, but grease would smooth that out.
I just dod the exact swap about a month ago as well, and put in a King Cobra clutch & replaced the TOB retainer with a steel one. *reads your sig* OK, now that's weird - my GT is also a 95 Lazer Red Mustang! Now which one of us is the evil twin and which is the good one?
The instructions I read said to lube both the pivot ball and the TOB retainer. You might be able to lube up the pivot ball a little bit through the cover over the clutch fork (covers the cable attachment), but I would imagine that would be a major PITA. You can also get some grease on the TOB retainer.
It is possible the pivot ball is worn as well, but grease would smooth that out.
I just dod the exact swap about a month ago as well, and put in a King Cobra clutch & replaced the TOB retainer with a steel one. *reads your sig* OK, now that's weird - my GT is also a 95 Lazer Red Mustang! Now which one of us is the evil twin and which is the good one?
:stirpot:I was about to say this is typical with a TOB retainer that's been damaged by a bad TOB, but you replaced that. I presume you replaced it with a steel one, or did you use an OEM aluminum one?
The instructions I read said to lube both the pivot ball and the TOB retainer. You might be able to lube up the pivot ball a little bit through the cover over the clutch fork (covers the cable attachment), but I would imagine that would be a major PITA. You can also get some grease on the TOB retainer.
It is possible the pivot ball is worn as well, but grease would smooth that out.
I just dod the exact swap about a month ago as well, and put in a King Cobra clutch & replaced the TOB retainer with a steel one. *reads your sig* OK, now that's weird - my GT is also a 95 Lazer Red Mustang! Now which one of us is the evil twin and which is the good one?
I used a steel replacement, FRPP to be exact. I didn't use any grease/lube on either of those parts. If all the parts are in good shape (which I'm hoping for), hopefully I can just throw some grease on those parts and get everything smoothed out! I appreciate the help and, other than this, the new clutch is amazing.
TrueBlue95GT
Member
Good point to mention. That's what I used, high-temp bearing grease. Got a bunch around from when I greased up the sliders on my brake calipers.
:stirpot:
I used a steel replacement, FRPP to be exact. I didn't use any grease/lube on either of those parts. If all the parts are in good shape (which I'm hoping for), hopefully I can just throw some grease on those parts and get everything smoothed out! I appreciate the help and, other than this, the new clutch is amazing.
Yet again, I used a steel FRPP part too. I'm also really happy with the King Cobra, the clutch pedal is certainly lighter than with the old clutch. Sounds like the only difference between our clutch changes is the grease on the bearing retainer and the pivot point. Well, I suppose it could be the clutch cable too; but one step at a time.
I would go under the car, take the dust cover off the fork while someone pushes the clutch in and out and just watch the fork movement. See if jiggles at all. You can see quite a bit with a flashlight through that dust cover hole.
As far as lubrication goes, most TOB are pre lubricated. The pivot ball really doesn't need much grease, and if you didn't remove it, the grease that was on there should have done the job. Never heard of a clutch grinding because of not resurfacing the flywheel either.
Kurt
As far as lubrication goes, most TOB are pre lubricated. The pivot ball really doesn't need much grease, and if you didn't remove it, the grease that was on there should have done the job. Never heard of a clutch grinding because of not resurfacing the flywheel either.
Kurt
I like all the replies, thank you. While I was at work today I left my car with the owner of a local shop. He drove it around, got it warmed up, and played with the clutch pedal. He found that, like I said, it only happens after being driven awhile. He says it should be nothing to worry about, and it could be that things aren't quite greased enough. I'm planning on leaving it alone until I get the time to drop the tranny one day and check things out, unless things get worse. I'll keep an eye (or foot 
) on the problem and go from there! Thanks guys.
) on the problem and go from there! Thanks guys.Similar threads
