SOS - Clutch and Transaxle check
#1
Instructor
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Please answer my question ASAP !
I going to inspect a '84 944 today that I 'm willing to buy. How can I determine the condition of the clutch and of the transaxle ? Please note that I will not lift the car since the workshops aren't working today here. Thank u !
I going to inspect a '84 944 today that I 'm willing to buy. How can I determine the condition of the clutch and of the transaxle ? Please note that I will not lift the car since the workshops aren't working today here. Thank u !
#2
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try to takeoff with handbrake firmly on. if the car doesn't die immediately when clutch is starting to grip that is a good sign of bad clutch.
transaxle should not rattle toomuch while driving and all gears should shift smoothly without falling out of gear on acceleration..
transaxle should not rattle toomuch while driving and all gears should shift smoothly without falling out of gear on acceleration..
#4
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like you would normally without handbrake..
#5
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Thank you ![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Just for curiosity, what's the reason for this to happen ? I mean, how a GOOD clutch makes the car to die when taking off with the handbrake on ?
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Just for curiosity, what's the reason for this to happen ? I mean, how a GOOD clutch makes the car to die when taking off with the handbrake on ?
#6
Three Wheelin'
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It has to be pretty bad to fail this test, but it's quick and effective. Might as well give it a shot.
#7
Hey Man
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In addition to the above suggestion, listen for clunks when taking off and on decel. A failed rubber center clutch will clunk on the limp home tabs. If you can get under the car (right side wheels on a curb) you can remove the rubber inspection cover and reach inside the rear TT housing. Place the car in neutral and grab the TT shaft and try to turn it. A failing rubber center clutch will rotate up to 1/2"; a good disc should not rotate at all.
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#8
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I just put in a new clutch and if i put the hand brake on and come off the clutch the engine doesn't die. It seems like the back end of the car lifts up. I let off the gas in a second or two as i just forgot to release the brake. I never have kept on the gas to see if the engine will die. If you just hold the brake on i would think any car engine would die. Well if the clutch disc was bad i guess it would slip, but i think if it was that bad it would slip when shifting between gears too.
#9
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I think the test Kuhl described is the best one since the rubber center clutches almost always fail due to rubber disintegration rather than clutch disk wear. Unless you get the car real cheap or do your own mechanical work, beware that clutch replacement can be very expensive on these cars.
#10
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I just put in a new clutch and if i put the hand brake on and come off the clutch the engine doesn't die. It seems like the back end of the car lifts up. I let off the gas in a second or two as i just forgot to release the brake. I never have kept on the gas to see if the engine will die. If you just hold the brake on i would think any car engine would die. Well if the clutch disc was bad i guess it would slip, but i think if it was that bad it would slip when shifting between gears too.
method kuhl is describing should be best, since rubber clutches are prone to failures and you can't detect it while driving, until it is too late.
#11
Hey Man
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I just put in a new clutch and if i put the hand brake on and come off the clutch the engine doesn't die. It seems like the back end of the car lifts up. I let off the gas in a second or two as i just forgot to release the brake. I never have kept on the gas to see if the engine will die. If you just hold the brake on i would think any car engine would die. Well if the clutch disc was bad i guess it would slip, but i think if it was that bad it would slip when shifting between gears too.
#12
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kuhl: how thick is the lining on new oem 951 clutch?
#13
Hey Man
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I can't tell you because I use a 930 Cup disc in mine. I have one I can measure but it's a hair thicker and has more lining surface area than the 951 disc. The wear is either measured on the car or from the lining to a rivet. I've never seen an actual combined thickness of the disc.
![](http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/disc.jpg)
#14
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![](http://www.moj-album.com/slike/599159/nd5qgwKw3sOl7X0p.v.jpg)
so this clutch should be perfectly good?
I dont know wether to use this clutch that seems it to have atleast half of her life still on, or shuld I buy new ceramic ($$$) clutch... hm hm
I think I've read here that these springs tend to break.
#15
Three Wheelin'
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Oh...wait - that's only with the cosmetics. Nobody can actually see the clutch disk, so do whatever you want. That is how you roll, right?