Re: Diagnosing Clutch Problem

[Charles Slayman <Charles.Slayman@domain.elided>]

Alberto,
	Before you blame the clutch, check the dreaded clutch pivot arm.  It's 
the piece that connects the pedal to the clutch master cylinder.  Have a friend 
push on the clutch pedal while you watch the action of clutch master cylinder.  
	The pivot arm (it's the black piece that emerges from the aluminum pedal 
box that holds the brake master cylinder and vacuum diaphragm) should cause the 
rod on the clutch master cylinder to travel about 25mm in order for the slave 
cylinder to travel the specified 11-12mm to release the clutch.
	The problem is that the weld on the pivot arm fatigues and finally 
breaks.  There is an excellent article from Len Leeb on how to replace it 
(http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/downs/3837/clutarm1.html).  I find I have to 
disconnect and bleed the brake lines.  Also, if it is the pivot arm, make sure 
the replacement has the extra gusset weld around the arm and large diameter of 
the shaft.
	
Good Luck,
Charlie	

>X-Lotus-FromDomain: USSAAB@EDS HUB@INET
>From: al.fontova@domain.elided
>To: alfa@domain.elided
>Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2001 11:36:56 -0500
>Subject: Diagnosing Clutch Problem
>Mime-Version: 1.0
>Content-Disposition: inline
>
>My Spider is behaving oddly.  Any help diagnosing the problem would be greatly
>appreciated.
>
>Last weekend I took it out after it sat for few weeks and the clutch felt
>different: it was very soft to depress and seemed to be engaging much later 
than
>usual.  With a little less than 150k on the clock I figured it was probably 
time
>for a new clutch.  Driving the car, it went into to gear but I had to be very
>careful between gear changes so as not to grind.
>
>Cut to last night, I fired up the car (started right up as usual) to take a
>spin.  The clutch is very soft and not engaging at all, and I can not get it in
>gear.
>
>My questions is: I have only had to change a clutch once before and if I
>remember, the clutch in the final stages progressively became worse but at a
>much slower rate and no where as dramatic as this has been.  Is the clutch worn
>out or could it be something else?  If it is the clutch, how much to replace?
>
>Thanks.
>
>Alberto
>1987 Spider
>
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