Clutch problems

Pops Fun

10 Year Member
Feb 15, 2003
961
14
59
Cincinnati, Ohio
Hi
Went to Tri-State Saturday and think I fried my clutch. Had my 2nd best ET though on my 1st pass. a 12.14. :D The clutch was adjusted close to the top.... but had free play but was high.
Differences I can think of between my 1st pass and 2nd clutch frying pass. :(

1st pass not much of a burnout rather short. (M/T DR's)
2nd pass 2nd gear smokey burnout. (Everything else the same )

When I realized my clutch was slipping I also realized my clutch pedal was at the very top no free play!! What would cause the clutch to go from free play to no free play??


There is 526 RWHP and 490 lb.'s of torque..

Going this evening to put it on a lift and take a look see. I would guess it is shot.!!

Looking for suggestions on a good clutch that will hold the power.....

I now have a RPS Turboclutch MAX with Cyn-R-G segmented flywheel.

Steve
 
I've had this happen before, I snapped my stock cable one Friday night before we were going racing the next day. In a pinch, the only cable I could find was a Zoom adjustable. It stunk from the first time I put it in. It would stretch, and the adjuster nuts never stayed tight. I finally snapped it one night after fixing a brake line leak. Apparently brake fluid eats the cable. lol

For what it's worth, I thought my Centerorce clutch was shot, but with a new MM cable installed, it's a beauty now. Hope this helps!

Scott
 
Hi
Thanks for the reply.. I checked the cable and it seemed ok... don't know how to check it it is stretching. going to drive it a week or so taking it easy and see how it goes ... Then make a couple passes seeing it it holds up??

Steve
 
Hi
Thanks for the reply.. I checked the cable and it seemed ok... don't know how to check it it is stretching. going to drive it a week or so taking it easy and see how it goes ... Then make a couple passes seeing it it holds up??

Steve

Yea usually if its the stock cable you get a warning. It makes some like clicking sound when you disengage it every once in a while. You seem to be adjusting the clutch more frequently then one day without warning your turning left trying to get into the flow of traffic when nobody wants to let you in and your late for school, You floor it takes off amazing in first then you go to slam second and your foot feels like you just might have put a hole threw the floor of your car because something gave and your stuck in second then slowly pull over yank it out of second and wait on the side of the road for your other friend with a 99gt to come help you push it back home...... so that.
 
I might have misread things but a stretched cable would lead to more freeplay, not less.

I'm not great with higher HP diaphram clutch set-ups and where they tend to fail but a diaphram failure would be something I'd consider. The theory would be that the fingers are displaced further rearward than normal, thus the TOB hits them sooner (with less absolute forward displacement required) than before.

Does the pedal effort feel different?
We assume you no longer have a ratcheting quadrant.......??

What happens if you put some slack back into the cable?

Interesting issue.
Good luck.
 
I might have misread things but a stretched cable would lead to more freeplay, not less.

I'm not great with higher HP diaphram clutch set-ups and where they tend to fail but a diaphram failure would be something I'd consider. The theory would be that the fingers are displaced further rearward than normal, thus the TOB hits them sooner (with less absolute forward displacement required) than before.

Does the pedal effort feel different?
We assume you no longer have a ratcheting quadrant.......??

What happens if you put some slack back into the cable?

Interesting issue.
Good luck.

Hi
Don't know much about diaphram failure, sounds like taking it apart and looking for rub marks??
The pedal effort felt about the same... not a noticable difference.
Have a race quadrant and cable adjuster installed.

We put slack back into the cable and the clutch works.. at least on the street. Doesn't seem like it is slipping?? Thought I would drive it a couple weeks taking it easy and if it seems ok then take it to the track again.

If it does it again at the track I guess a Spec 3+ or something similar (suggestions) will be put in.

Steve