Clutch problem

[DrDuc]

My clutch is doing strange things. Most of the time it's fine with take up mid-travel, but occasionally it engages just off the floor. I've had Gordon Levy look at it and it behaves for him. Any good ideas on the problem and the fix?
Bruce

[Tom Cimino]

I had a problem like that once. Turns out the pivot bolt for the clutch pedal was a little too tight and wouldn't allow the pedal to move freely. I loosened the nut a bit and the problem went away. The nut was a nylock nut.

[Danr55]

Is it mechanical or hydraulic?

[DrDuc]

Hydraulic

[Gaz64]

Master cylinder internally bypassing.

When it engages early, does it then have a lot of pedal freeplay at the top?

[Danr55]

Does it usually engage.early when you start out and its cold or is it truly random?

[DrDuc]

It is truly random and the pedal feels the same. No free play feel. It just engages at the very bottom. Some times it feels like the clutch isn't going to work at all and I won't be able to get the gears engaged. Then it engages half way up as usual and continues to work fine for 10-20 shifts.

[Danr55]

I would look first at the clutch cylinder. Sounds like it has worn a soft spot in the middle and needs to be replaced. THat would be doubly true if it happens when you sit for a minute holding the clutch down. The fluid leaks around the piston.

[DrDuc]

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it.
Bruce

[Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB]

DrDuc, do you have a slave cylinder? Sounds like when mine died from seal leak. Just like what Dan said. Cheap replacement.

AZ Bob

[James Stern]

Check the cable.

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by Danr55

I would look first at the clutch cylinder. Sounds like it has worn a soft spot in the middle and needs to be replaced. THat would be doubly true if it happens when you sit for a minute holding the clutch down. The fluid leaks around the piston.

Master cylinder?

Originally Posted by Bob Broberg SPF667 460BB

DrDuc, do you have a slave cylinder? Sounds like when mine died from seal leak. Just like what Dan said. Cheap replacement.

AZ Bob

Of course he has a slave cylinder. He could also have a hydraulic throwout bearing which is not cheap, gearbox out job.

Originally Posted by James Stern

Check the cable.

What cable?, It's hydraulic.

[DrDuc]

Well there are no leaks, the system has been flushed to make sure there is no air in the lines, so we'll check the throw out bearing next. Looks like maybe I'll through in a new clutch while it's all apart.

[DrDuc]

Or throw in a new clutch, would be more accurate.

[Danr55]

If the clutch cylinder is worn, it will only be at one spot. Try pushing the clutch all the way to the floor and see if it works. It's a lot cheaper to replace a clutch cylinder than a complete clutch. That is especially true since, if it is the clutch cylinder, you'll have to replace it anyway.

[Dirty Harry]

Is the clutch fork staying positioned on the pivot ball correctly? Mine was worn and the spring steel retainer was sprung and the fork could move around, changing the relationship between the pivot ball and the socket on the fork. I replaced both the pivot and fork and it made a nice difference.