Clutch issue

[dredgeguy]

Yun,
Good luck with the fix and I know you will enjoy the short shifter.

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by dredgeguy

Yun,
Good luck with the fix and I know you will enjoy the short shifter.

Thanks - keeping up with Johnson...

[secondchance]

Ok, guys;


8 am this morning WAZOO trailer service shows up and shortly thereafter Jim and Darrin show up to help. We push the car out of the garage and load it up.

We head over to Rich's and greeted by Rich and Phil.


Transmission removed - Black and Blue Tag! I wonder if this means this has the original max. torque rating or lower rating of the Blue tag...


Upon disassembly we find a failed clutch fork. It seems about 130,000 miles is what one can expect prior to fatigue failure.


I figured why just repair when you can repair and improve? We pulled the factory shifter and installed a Bill Boudreau short throw shifter.


Also patched a hole in the rubber shift boot with 3M 08609 - recommended by Bill - since I couldn't find a new piece.

Bill's shifter made the car feel more "sporting" and contemporary - definately worth the effort.

WAZOO struck again and exhibited an incredible spirit of brotherhood. A great big thanks to Jeff, Rich, Phil, Jim, Darrin and David!

[RICKYRJ1]

So did you drive her home or just a short test drive?

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by RICKYRJ1

So did you drive her home or just a short test drive?

Oh, I drove home. Believe it or not - no rain!
BTW we had a complete clutch parts handy, not knowing what we will find, and had a new fork to replace with.

[XfireZ51]

I would suspect throw out bearing first. Clutch fork bend would present over a period of time as opposed to immediately. If you're changing the clutch ALWAYS replace the throw out bearing since you have the opportunity.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

I would suspect throw out bearing first. Clutch fork bend would present over a period of time as opposed to immediately. If you're changing the clutch ALWAYS replace the throw out bearing since you have the opportunity.

Just to add... I'd consider replacing the PILOT bushing/bearing too. (I skipped it once...Never again!)

P.

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Just to add... I'd consider replacing the PILOT bushing/bearing too. (I skipped it once...Never again!)

P.

Oops! Forgot that one Paul. And a brass one at that.

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Clutch fork bend would present over a period of time as opposed to immediately.

Not necessarilly - so I have learned. We had the clutch/pressure plate removed about 3,000 miles ago (3-4 months ago) and the clutch fork showed no sign of distress of any kind at that time. Also, the degradation was not gradual - it suddenly gave way when the clutch was depressed to engage the 1st gear.

As for replacing throw out bearing and pilot bearing, with Darrin and Darrin 2 around, we are not too concerned of trans drop. Nonetheless, agree bearing replacement is a good idea especially when paying someone to work on the car.

[scottfab]

Originally Posted by secondchance

Ok, guys;
...snip...

Upon disassembly we find a failed clutch fork. It seems about 130,000 miles is what one can expect prior to fatigue failure.
...snip...

Seems like an opportunity for someone to come up with a stronger solid metal fork. Or maybe the original could be strengthened by filling it in with an arc welder?