clutch on CR's

MaSnaka · #1 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 10:50 PM

What clutch set up you other CR guys using? I have a Howe Racing hydraulic set up on mine and have a bad feeling it's getting ready to dump on me again. 1st time it was the installation (installer unknown) which was a misalignment with the pedal and push rod sending it into the master cylinder at an angle which prematurely wore it out. Required a new master cylinder to repair. 2nd time it was the hose connecting the resevoir to the master cylinder, it started disintegrating, sending chunks of rotten hose into the sleeve of the master cylinder, prematurely wore it out again. Those two incidents happened within 1000 miles of each other. 10,000 miles later my clutch is engaging at different points when I release the pedal. Feels like it wont be able to hold hydraulic pressure soon and I'm noticing a small drip from the slave. I want a bullet proof clutch! Any suggestions? I figure I will need to buy a new master and possible a new slave anyway. Thanks!

John

tcrist · #2 (**permalink**) 11-22-2008, 10:56 PM

John,
I am using a cable clutch. Sorry, I can't help you with a hydraulic one.

Terry

Double Venom · #3 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 04:08 AM

Masnaka,
Go to "Tiltons" web site. Everything they sell is for racing and very heavy duty. Biggest problem is guys NOT getting the "alignment" right. Once you get it in and aligned that should be the end of your slave cylinder problems. Do not use any Silicone fluid! The Silicone fluid will eat the hoses! Never had one leak, go bad, or problems with the hoses. DV

MaSnaka · #4 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 10:23 AM

The instructions that came with the clutch master said NO SILICONE fluids as they will destroy the O-rings. They recomended using DOT-3. Would the silicone fluids be clearly labeled "SILICONE" ? I recently added some fluid to the reservoir labeled DOT-3 with no mention of it containing silicone. I hope I didn't screw up.

Up until recently I had a bit of an oil leak dripping off the bottom of the bell housing. With no more oil leak I can now see what appears to be clutch fluid. 1 little drop about the size of a penny after a drive.

I'll check out the Tilton products and confir with the tranny shop Monday.

Thanks.
John

Double Venom · #5 (**permalink**) 11-23-2008, 10:35 AM

John,
"DOT 3" is good, UNLESS it is labeled as a silicone product it is good! Suggest you try and find where the "drop" came from which is probably easier said than done. Just watch it carefully. These blankety blank things never seem to fix themselves and only get worse over time.
DV

MaSnaka · #6 (**permalink**) 01-02-2009, 09:39 PM

Follow up to clutch problem...I had to replace the rubber cup in the master cylinder. It was missing some chuncks of rubber and starting to break down from old fluid. Fluid was said to be breaking down from possibly excessive pressure and heat. The fluid was flushed and replaced, the rebuild kit was installed in the master, an insulater sleeve was installed over the hydraulic line that passes near the header. Clutch works fine now and I have a spare rebuild kit in my tool box. Fortunately the repair was made in a timely fashion and I was able to participate in the Motor 4 Toys event. Keeping my fingers crossed.

John

Double Venom · #7 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 04:51 AM

John,
Well done, some day they will make all the rubber hoses and seals safe for silicone (truly takes care of heat, but.........), but until they do do not use anything in the brake or clucth systems containing silicone! Don't learn the hard way!
DV

patrickt · #8 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

With no more oil leak I can now see what appears to be clutch fluid. 1 little drop about the size of a penny after a drive.

A drop of fresh oil and fresh brake fluid are pretty are hard to tell apart on the pavement -- and I've had small leaks of both that tracked to different locations before dropping to the ground. The only way I was able to tell what the drops were was by using UV dye. They make a different UV dye for oil and for hydaulic fluid; you can get different colors as well. Before you even think about doing repairs, put some UV dye in -- you might be surprised at the result (it will also help you pinpoint the source of the leak).

MaSnaka · #9 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 10:10 AM

Patrickt, You are absolutly right about identifying leaks. I make assumtions and guess and check. I think the next time I have this problem I will use that UV dye. It would sure take out the guessing part of the equation. My tranny guy said brake and clutch fluid are water base in nature compared to oil and the drops on the drive way will wash away with water but the oil will stay put. I don't want to make him sound like an idiot if I quoted him wrong, but it's possible. I have an epoxy finish on the garage floor and nothing will soak into the concrete. It just sits there till you wipe it up. Even water dripping from my wifes car in the rain will build up to a point where I have to sweep it out. I am happy to report there are no wet spots under the Cobra, no oil, no hydraulic fluid, no coolant, dry as a bone....knocking on wood.

John

patrickt · #10 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaSnaka

Patrickt, You are absolutly right about identifying leaks.

I've had my share.

Anyone with an FE has -- but I learned my lesson a long time ago that, even when I think I know the origin of a leak, I still use the UV dye and light to confirm it. Here was a thread I posted last year for a dumb game of "spot the leak."
Guess the Origin of this Leak - Lame Entertainment

tcrist · #11 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 11:33 AM

John,
Great to hear. Sounds like it is fixed again and working well.

P.S. I am going so start that other project after I get back to work next week. You want them "black", correct?

Terry

MaSnaka · #12 (**permalink**) 01-03-2009, 01:05 PM

Yes Terry, Black is good. Thanks