Clutch question

[legendarysnail]

About 6 months ago I had the clutch on my '93 Coupe replaced. It was about $500 total for an OEM-equivelant clutch, all parts, and labor.

When I first got the car back it was slipping bad and the pedal was a lot lighter than brfore, like if I floored it in 4th gear going 45mph, it'd completely slip and go nowhere. So I drove it back to my mechanic and had him adjust it to what I thought was normal. I was happy for the first few weeks until I drove it hard for the first time (it is fine under normal driving). If I launch it above 4000 rpm, it wil slip pretty bad, if I shift fast it'll slip (powershifting makes it slip even more), and if I'm trying to do certain maneuvers (like flooring it directly after a u-turn) it'll slip even worse.

It's a brand new clutch, and if it is really OEM-equivelant, it shouldn't be doing this. So I've come up with 3 conclusions: either my mechanic doesn't have it adjusted properly, the clutch was bad from the factory, or it's installed incorrectly. I really want this thing fixed because I can't have much fun in it anymore, let alone take it to a drag strip or something.

I've been too busy to take it up to my mechanic, but it's getting worse now. The problem is I don't know what to say to my (former) mechanic because he's so full of himself and doesn't think he can possibly screw something up (for example, I had him install new OE Nissan rear brake pads, and now my e-brake squeals all to hell. I confronted him with it and he says tough luck buddy, you supplied the brake pads).

So can anyone help me out here? I've tried adjusting the freeplay, but that does no good. It's really starting to get annoying, not to mention slipping worse.

[91CRXsiR]

if this guy messed up your brakes why did you have him do your clutch?

did you have him show you the old clutch after he swaped it?
are all the fluids topped off?

you should go back and talk to the manager.

[legendarysnail]

The brakes were done during the period when I though the clutch was fine. He's the manager and owner of the shop (it's a smaller shop)...

No, he didn't show me the old clutch. Yes, all the fluids are topped off.

[4-20sx]

well try this...because i had that same problem..try adjusting ur clutch pedal...its a screw like thing that connects to the slave cyliner...u can adjust it so it will engange at a lower friction point...im pretty sure that would fix it cuz i had that exact same problem and i jus adjusted it and it was fine after that

[Bill Roberts]

Damn. Just when you think it is safe to post, I hear about a jacka$$ mechanic.

4 things will cause a slipping clutch.

Bad clutch.
Bad pedal adj.
Bad clutch switch adjustment.
Bad install.

Go back to that cat and tell him what time it is.

He may have just replaced the plate and not the pressure plate or TOB. I work on my car from now on out. Seems like 85% of repairs are jacked when some other cat gets ahold of your car. If nothing else, they leave bolts out, rag the car after repair, or get grease in the interior.

If and when my clutch gives out, I will be that guy going to the convience store with grease and oil all over. Friggin scratches on the fenders, over tightning the cap screws....just BS IMHO...to have that happen.


Take it back and print out this thread. Then let him know that he missed something crucial to the install.

A bad CMC, or CSC will not cause slippage.

[kandyflip445]

Aren't you supposed to drive in stop and go conditions and not rag on the clutch when you get it, to break it in? But yeah, if he f*cked up your brakes then why did you go back to that (I LOVE THAT SMILEY)

[legendarysnail]

Well when it was slipping really bad at first and I took it back to him, he adjusted something underneath the driver dash. IDK....Maybe today I'll check the pedal adjustment at the slave cyl (hopefully Chilton's has something on it).

Thanks for the replies guys....

[4-20sx]

im telling u dude its ur cluch pedal..jus adjust it...to a lower engagement thas all it is...its VERY SIMPLE!...lol...its proven n tested by me!..hahahah

[legendarysnail]

Are you talking about adjusting it near the top of the clutch pedal? If so, that's the MASTER cylinder and I've already tried that - doesn't work.

[gregsr20]

bad mechanic, bad install

[holisticbeatz]

Clutch problem? I've experience something similar. Read This!

[Bill Roberts]

Not trying to hijack the post, but I was going to do my clutch this weekend , got the driveshaft out (easy) but the top tranny bolts looked next to impossable. What tools were used to get to them? Did they come out from the top or bottom?

I know this is a lame question but I was in no mood this weekend to put it back together and do a tool run...besides, I wanted to watch golf and have some brewskis.

A very competent mechanic I know wants 300 to do it..I bought the Clutch pp and bearing...so...how about those bolts? Top of bell housing for someone who knows..

PS, I found this thread by doing a search...no one has reported a problem getting these out. I just could not find a way to get to them.

Extention, uiniversal? more extentions from the bottom?

[holisticbeatz]

I used a bunch of extentions and a snap-on swiveling socket.

Know what you're doing + good tools = good results

Know what you're doing - good tools = possible disaster!