Man I'm frustrated. I thought I was in good shape to make it to Monterey next month but... I've been working through issues on my 1978 Euro 5 speed for the last couple of years. It was garage stored and driven about 25 miles per year for the last three decades prior to my purchase. I've done aluminium ball joints, alternator, dash pod, door locks, windows, gas tank seal, fuel filter and pump and most recently CIS.

I've been enjoying driving her for the last couple of weeks until yesterday, I come to a stop and when I go to push in the clutch it will only go 1/2 way in. It wouldn't disengage the clutch. I didn't force it. I took a breath and tried it again. Same thing. I shut it down, ran through the gears and tried the clutch again. Put a but more pressure and heard a kinda metallic pop and it worked. Started the car and it was fine for the rest of the drive home.

Knowing better but eternally hopeful, took her out for a drive today, Maybe she fixed herself! Nope, same thing.

What's that sound? What should I look at. It does it occasionally but should it become permanent I'll be looking at a tow. The last thing I want is to damage the clutch.

Suggestions please.

 

Remove the lower bellhousing cover and inspect the clutch release arm. Sounds like the ball stud that the far end of the release arm mounts/pivots on may have broken off. Common problem, sometimes easy to fix sometimes not.

Mike

 

You should also be able to see this from the engine bay after removing the air box. The ball stud is on top of the bell housing.

 

Yep. Sure sounds like the release arm is disengaging from the ball pivot. This is especially true if you have the updated version with the plastic bushing insert. The original 78 style used a small ball with no insert.

 

Before you get under the car,
get under the dash and inspect the clutch pedal where its connected to its pivot,
maybe it has cracked

 

I took a break from it today, nothing good comes from working while frustrated. I'm going to pull the airbox and have a look tomorrow when my mind is fresh.

Thanks all for your suggestions. I hope it is something relatively easy to fix. There is a really cool annual Porsche car drive on Thursday the 18th from Carmel to Hahn Winery which I was hoping to make after missing it the last two years.

 

So spent some time this weekend looking into my clutch problem. I looked at the clutch pivot at the pedal. All was good. Rubber boot at firewall was like new, no sign of any brake fluid leaks at firewall.

Next I pulled the air cleaner and inspected the pivot ball. Nice and solid with no play when clutch lever is activated.

Next I looked at the slave, which I had replaced about a year ago. It was bolted in tight still.

This is an intermittent problem that has occurred a total of three times in the last month. Drives fine, go to put in clutch, stops halfway, won't disengage clutch. Let off try a couple times more, gently, then a slight pop and everything is fine again.

I'm at a loss. I was totally expecting to find the problem at the pivot ball bushing.

 

Just going out on limb here.

Does a 78 have and inspection hole at the bottom of the clutch housing like MY 85 has to see if the slave plunger rod is seated correctly into the clutch lever arm?

 

Great question Wyatt!

I guess I'll put it up on the lift to check it out.