Checking clutch arm/pressure plate

[WankelsRevenge]

So after messing around with my entire clutch hydrolic system the past couple weeks, Ive come to the conclusion that everything is in proper working order. I had a friend over helping me try to figure things out, and he mentioned it could possibily be that either my clutch arm has something wrong with it, or possibily even my pressure plate is bad. Is there any simple way to check these things without dropping my transmission, or do I have to pull everything out to check on it?

[JL1RX7]

The clutch fork which the throw-out bearing rides on can be checked by removing the slave and if it moves freely back and forth you are good. Make sure the slave piston arm is sitting correctly in the fork when you re-install.

With the pressure plate I could only think does it slip? No crazy noises etc?

[WankelsRevenge]

Well I check tonight and the piston on the slave is seated right, its pushing the arm in, but Im not getting any engagement on the clutch, nor is it returning at all. My clutch still has plenty of grab as I can start the car with it in 1st, and shift gears without using the clutch if I have to absolutly drive it somewhere. Im looking at replacing my trans/clutch/flywheel in the future, just dont want to have to drop the whole thing before hand if I dont need to

[JL1RX7]

Yea check it is seated right first. If it is slightly off then you wouldn't get the push/return like you should.


How many miles on the clutch?

[WankelsRevenge]

Im not sure, I know the engine was rebuilt recently, but not if they replaced the clutch and everything when they did the rebuild. As for the slave piston is was right in place where it should be.

[JL1RX7]

Possible the throw-out bearing slipped off the fork? Don't think it would be possible kitted up. But never know.


When you push the peddle in getting full stroke on the slave.(Yes I know that could be taken the wrong way)

[WankelsRevenge]

When you push the peddle in getting full stroke on the slave.(Yes I know that could be taken the wrong way)

I believe so, Its deffinatly pushing against the clutch arm. The main issue seems to be the clutch isnt disengaging now is the pedal coming back up at all. I guess in the next few days I might see if I can get it up on jack stands and drop the trans and see what I find. Any tips on how I can see if the pressure plate is shot?

[ElTeeFauci]

The clutch pedal should get its return force from the action of the pressure plate fingers (which are essentially springs) pushing back on the throwout bearing, which pushes on the fork, which forces the slave back in, forcing the fluid into the master cylinder's piston, and finally pushing the clutch pedal back out. (I think anyway)

Gonna need more than a 17mm wrench this time son!

So you've actually seen the slave pop out when someone else hit the clutch pedal? Tried holding the master in with your thumb or something while someone hit the clutch?

[WankelsRevenge]

Yes to both, I pushed the slave piston in and then pressed down on the clutch, the low and behold the slave piston was pushed back out again. I also disconnected the hardline from the master and tried covering the whole with my thumb while someone pumped the pedal and I could feel the suction on it. Everything in the hydraulic system seems to be operating perfectly, which is why I think the problem lies elsewhere.

[ElTeeFauci]

So when you pushed the slave piston back in, was it bolted to the transmission at that point?

What I'm wondering is if you put your thumb in between the slave and the fork, how much pressure would you really feel? If there is air in the line... not much. But probably enough to move the slave if it wasn't pushing on anything (if it wasn't bolted to the tranny).

[WankelsRevenge]

Yeah its already bolted down. If I hold my finger between the piston and the fork its not gonna crush my finger will it?

[ElTeeFauci]

Well don't push the pedal TOO hard.... Lol. You'll know.

[Garfinkles Motor Works]

Do not put your finger in there and have someone push ,very bad idea . Re build the master and slave cylinders and bleed them then try the clutch while you have all your fingers .

[ElTeeFauci]

Yeah... rebuild the brand new slave. Thats a better idea.

Nobody is saying put your finger in there and SMASH the clutch pedal...

[WankelsRevenge]

Well I got the new slave and master installed, but still have the same problem. I can move the clutch fork back and forth pretty eaisly. Im at a loss at where to go from here. I dont think its the pressure plate because I can start the car with it in 1st and drive it by shifting without the clutch if I have to. In all actuality what are the chances eithe rthe throw out bearing has slipped off the fork, or that the fork slipped off the piviot ball?

[JL1RX7]

Unless you can get a boroscope in the vent hole. I can't think of anything without dropping the tranny.


The ball end of the slave is sitting snuggly in the fork right? Also not sloppy or funky sounds when you slide the fork back and forth? Got the system bled etc?

[WankelsRevenge]

The ball end of the slave is sitting snuggly in the fork right? Also not sloppy or funky sounds when you slide the fork back and forth? Got the system bled etc?

Afirmitive on all of the above. Even went out and bought a vaccum bleeder to make sure everything was done right. I had a slow leak somewhere before I changed out my master/slave and now Im waiting untill tomorrow to check and make sure that problem is solved. I guess its just time to get it up on jackstands and see what I can find.

[JL1RX7]

Unless someone else might have something. I can't think of anything without dropping the tranny. Sorry dude. Any pictures of thing? Maybe the fork is the wrong way around.

[WankelsRevenge]

Well I think I found the problem. Went to go do the finger trick Robert recomended. Well when I went to push the slave cylinder piston in, fluid came gushing out all over the place. So time to install yet another, and hope it fixes the problem.