Tremec 5 Problems/Clutch adjustment help

SNK BYT · #1 (**permalink**) 05-10-2012, 10:25 AM

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Hi everyone, I need some help. My car started having problems going into reverse. I would grind it a bit but the transmission would work fine. The last time I drove my car (several months ago) i had a difficult time putting it into reverse so again it grinded a bit but I got the car in gear and backed it into my garage. The next time i tried putting the car into gear, no gear would engage. I know and feel that this is a clutch adjustment issue but have no clue where to start looking or how to. I did find the bleed valve and with my son's help, we bled the slave (i think) but that did not work. The clutch preasuure feels ok but the transmission will not engage in any gear. HELP! My direct email is listed here. Thanks for any and all responses......

68 Fastback · #2 (**permalink**) 05-10-2012, 12:26 PM

If you are only having the problem when going into reverse? I would say its not an issue with the clutch. Any issues going into forward gears or when in gear with the clutch ingauged?

SNK BYT · #3 (**permalink**) 05-10-2012, 12:53 PM

I was having an occassional problem hitting reverse, so it would grind a bit. But this last time it did grind but it went in. All the forward gears worked perfectly til now. Nothing... The complete transmission and clutch have maybe 200 miles on them. I had it assembled in California so I wasnt there at the time of the install. The shop is quite respectable as it feeds off of Hillbank MotorSports. Im only guessing something came loose or the adjustment mechanism wasn't fastened properly...... at least that is what I am hoping for....

kayakjack · #4 (**permalink**) 05-10-2012, 12:53 PM

When you say you "bled the slave (i think)", what did you do. Were you able to flush all of the old clutch fluid out and replace it with new?

I had the same symtoms a couple of years ago. I have a Tremec 3550 transmission. I bled the clutch completely. It went into gear fine. But it started leaking slowly from the clutch slave. I replaced the slave. It has all been perfect since. I have made a point of bleeding the clutch and brakes as part of routine maintenance. Did it two weeks ago.

I think your first instinct - bleed the clutch was correct. Make sure you have new fluid. And really make sure no air bubbles are coming out with the fluid. If you have any air in the system, you will have problems. When you depress the clutch, the air will compress and the clutch will feel spongy and not activate properly.

If you are satisfied with the fluid situation and you still have the symptom, I would suspect a faulty clutch slave cylinder.

Jack

blykins · #5 (**permalink**) 05-10-2012, 01:04 PM

1. Even when you think you have all the air out of the line, sometimes you don't....

2. Check and make sure that the throw out bearing is within close proximity of the pressure plate fingers. This will vary depending on which clutch and which slave cylinder you have, but there are specified clearances there. If the bearing is too far away from the fingers, when you push the clutch pedal in, it may not have enough stroke to fully engage the clutch.

3. If it's a Centerforce clutch, the counterweights are known to cause issues like this in Cobras and other lightweight cars. Premature centrifugal aid from the counterweights.

4. If it's always dragged a little, the bellhousing could be out of alignment. This puts a little side load on the input shaft, not allowing it to stop completely.

vatdevil · #6 (**permalink**) 05-10-2012, 07:45 PM

Had the same issue and it went away when the shifter was upgraded to the Pro 5.0. No idea why.

james911pro · #7 (**permalink**) 05-18-2012, 08:28 AM

Maybe this will help...
Olthoff Racing's diving tips on shifting the Superformance Cobra Replica - YouTube
Dennis has a lot of experience with this and recently helped me to get some parts!