New performance clutch (pedal adjustment)

  • z863
    z863
    Member
    • 58

    New performance clutch (pedal adjustment)

    I installed a 6 puck unsprung clutch in my 87' turbo and it slipped pretty bad. After realizing I forgot to adjust the clutch pedal, I did so and found that both the rod that goes into the master cylinder AND the larger adjustable shank/nut were adjusted as much as possible (the clutch safety switch has been bypassed and adjusted all the way out) with still no free play in the pedal. With that said, the clutch is obviously not fully disengaged as it is still slipping. How can I get this clutch to reach full dis-engagement? Would getting a longer rod that goes into master cylinder work? I'm pretty stumped… Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.
  • G-E
    G-E
    Junior Member
    • 6320

    #2
    That should never need to be done, something was installed incorrectly… check the fork and tob assembly, make sure everything is fully bolted down, re-bleed the cylinder and slave
  • jaqattack02
    jaqattack02
    Senior Member
    • 1185

    #3
    Don't most clutches need a break in period before they start grabbing correctly?
    Prius… because Pretentious wouldn't fit across the back of the car…

    Cheap, Fast, Reliable - pick any two

    My 1986 Turbo Build
  • z863
    z863
    Member
    • 58

    #4
    I've read up on the fork actually flexing slightly and causing a hard shift. Especially into first and reverse(like I'm experiencing)… I'm thinking this may be causing the slipping condition and or the lack of slack in my clutch pedal. Thoughts?
  • G-E
    G-E
    Junior Member
    • 6320

    #5
    Flexing maybe but not to the point where you reach the end of the adjusters and need more rod… the flex you'd be talking about is a few mm at best
  • Axel kain
    Axel kain
    Moderator
    • 1221

    #6
    how many miles have you driven on this clutch, in stop and go traffic, for proper break in?

    you have re-bled the system since installing the new clutch? I have had cases where the slave piston will actually stay out further than normal, for some strange reason. crack bleeder/bleed system, and it operates perfectly.
    Damn dirty angels....these cars!

    Current Daily Driver - 86 Turbo.
    Under the cover - THE BANANA… that needs to be re-energized.
    sigpic
  • 300zxturboftw
    300zxturboftw
    Senior Member
    • 3709

    #7
    Our master/slave has more than enough travel for most aftermarket clutches. Should never have to switch out rod.
    I would say bleed and if that doesnt work take it apart and reinstall it even If it looks visually fine. Should catch at very top of the pedal after proper break in
    Usual Z31 suspect: Garage Queen (aka broken)
  • z863
    z863
    Member
    • 58

    #8
    There's somewhere between 15 and 25 miles on the clutch. I have bled the system twice as well. I feel as if it's something besides lack of break in though. The fact that there is NO play in the pedal alone gives me reason to believe so. Everything was assembled correctly too. After I bled the system after the install it slipped terribly. Then I re bled it… Slipped just as bad. Then I adjusted the pedal and it holds halfway decent in first gear but second and up slip pretty significantly still.
  • 300zxturboftw
    300zxturboftw
    Senior Member
    • 3709

    #9
    When the pedal is all the way up is there any free play when you push it down…as in little resistance?
    Usual Z31 suspect: Garage Queen (aka broken)
  • jaqattack02
    jaqattack02
    Senior Member
    • 1185

    #10
    When you say it's slipping in first and second, is that under normal driving, or are you abusing it? Any new clutch will slip if you are abusing it before it's broken in. Hopefully you haven't glazed the surface at this point.
    Prius… because Pretentious wouldn't fit across the back of the car…

    Cheap, Fast, Reliable - pick any two

    My 1986 Turbo Build
  • THEBEAST
    THEBEAST
    Senior Member
    • 567

    #11
    maybe you installed the disk backwards. that will cause the pp to not clamp against the fly.
  • 300zxturboftw
    300zxturboftw
    Senior Member
    • 3709

    #12
    Back out the clutch pedal stopper (could be a switch) all the way. See if there is freeplay in the pedal then. If not then just take apart the transmission, because you are just going to ruin the disk.
    Usual Z31 suspect: Garage Queen (aka broken)
  • z863
    z863
    Member
    • 58

    #13
    When under a load in first the clutch barely slips if hardly at all. Second gear grabs a little but after building a couple pounds of boost it starts slipping. Third and up slip terribly even at the hint of boost. Also, there is absolutely NO FREE PLAY ON THE PEDAL. And the stopper or the switch was FULLY ADJUSTED OUT before I even started the build so that was never holding anything up. And if I installed the disk backwards would the clutch hold up (not slip) under a load in first gear at 5+ psi on an hx35?
  • G-E
    G-E
    Junior Member
    • 6320

    #14
    z863 wrote: And if I installed the disk backwards would the clutch hold up (not slip) under a load in first gear at 5+ psi on an hx35?
    It might…? You'd effectively be talking about only the pressure plate touching the disc, so not much clamp load

    You have to get under there and recheck everything, assume it's mechanical, fork operation, slave cylinder operation, disc installation, bad pressure plate, etc…
  • 300zxturboftw
    300zxturboftw
    Senior Member
    • 3709

    #15
    Sometimes the disk will have 0 free play for the first 50 miles and it will get better as it breaks in depending on the product…Your first mistake is giving the car boost after 15-25 miles of driving when knowing the clutch isn't engaging fully. Wouldn't be surprised if the disk is ruined already. Sounds like a bad pressure plate though with the forks not returning clamp load fully on the disk.

    As G-E said a clutch is basic and mechanical. If one part is wrong (broken/wrongfully installed) it will not function correctly.
    Usual Z31 suspect: Garage Queen (aka broken)