Something strange with supposedely bad clutch...

[88SaleenClone]

Ok so my clutch has been slipping in all gears for a couple weeks. But, I never got on it in 1st gear (5-speed) since it started slipping...Well tonight for the hell of it I got on it in first gear a few times and it held beautifully...humm, and all the other gears slip like crazy when I try to get on it. Does anyone know what that means exactly?

 

[88SaleenClone]

bump...ttt...

 

[foxbody88stang]

Do you have an ajustable clutch cable?If so try to put a 1/2 Turn on it.And go from there.

 

[88-GT]

The clutch will always slip more in the higher gears. If you think about it, something always has to 'give' for things to work. In the lower gears, take first, it is easier for the car to pick up speed, perhaps easier than it is to slip the clutch, so the system 'gives' by moving the car.

On the other hand at a higher speed, say 4th gear, it takes alot more effort to move the car, so the instead of picking up speed the clutch 'gives' and slips. Kinda wierd how it works, but makes sense.

 

[v8only]

a slipping clutch is a slipping clutch, and no amount of adjustment is going to save you from that. Perhaps you've got trans fluid or oil on your clutch that is worse at times, but don't expect this problem to go away.

 

[88SaleenClone]

Thanks for the replies. Ya basically I guess I just need a new clutch... :/

 

[trbkrb]

LOL! Reminds me of a clutch I changed over 10 years ago. Valve cover gaskets leaked oil into the bellhousing and soaked the clutch disc. It started lightly slipping in all gears, but I was able to feather the gas and get it to go. Eventually it got so bad, I couldn't get the car moving on any kind of incline. Clutch out, in 1st gear, hit the throttle, and the car rolls backwards! The clutch only had about 25,000 miles on it.

To keep it from happening again, I now put a good coat of RTV along the bellhousing at the top and sides when I replace the clutch. Of course I got the reusable valve cover gaskets too.

Good luck on the replacement!

 

[v8only]

I like the silicone idea on the bell. My problem once was the input shaft leak on the transmission that soaked my clutch.