Thaddeus

Hi,

I read the FAQ, I searched the archives, didn't find the answer to these questions. One is so obvious I'm enbarassed to ask (it will be number 2), the other not so obvious.

I test drove an '82 5-speed today. It needs work. The shifter linkage was obviously bad, and the clutch was troubled. The clutch pedal didn't seem to engage until nearly the top of its travel, and sometimes seemed to slip, and at others grabbed nicely.

Question 1: could this be an issue with the clutch slave cylinder and air in the lines? Or perhaps an adjustment issue? Or is it more likely the clutch is toast?

Question 2: Must one remove the engine to replace the clutch, or can it remain in situ for the procedure?

thanks, your answers will help me decide if I should make an offer on an otherwise very solid, clean car.

thanks

Thaddeus

Weissach

Those are the same symptoms that I had with my car about six months ago. It was the slave cylinder. But if you are looking to buy this car, take it to a mechanic. When you have the car on the lift, it's very easy to check if it's leaking from the slave.

TeufelHei

Question 2:

I"ve never done it personally, but by all accounts the clutch is very easy to replace in the car, just not east to adjust properly.

Question 1: Sounds to me like a slave cylinder gone awry.

Again, I am no expert and will be replacing the system in my 81 very soon myself.

Paul D

Thaddeus - Question 1: There could be a whole bunch of problems with the clutch system on this car. Unless you have some maintenance records to go by you could very well be replacing the clutch master, slave, and the clutch itself. I know within 1 year on my '82 the clutch master was leaking through the rear seal into the footwell, then the slave seal went, shortly after that my clutch pilot bearing went and destroyed my clutch. I replaced it all (along with the flexible clutch line) so I know it's in good working order now. Question 2: No, the engine does NOT need to be removed to replace the clutch (the torque tube stays in place as well). The beauty of the 928 clutch design is that it is serviceable from underneath the car. Get a set of workshop manuals and get familiar with the process. Then you can start asking questions here. I'm sure there are lots of people who have this experience. Good Luck!

UKKid35

John's page show's you everything you need to know about how not to replace the clutch.

Actually, it was mainly this page that put me off doing it myself, but in retrospect it looks pretty easy, as long as everything goes smoothly.

BTW the clutch page takes for ever to load as it has lots of high res pics.

Thaddeus

Thanks everyone...

Paul, I know the procedure is in the manual. But as in all things, there's the manual, and then there's -life-. John's page is an example... I wanted a little bit of reality from a group of people who've actually done this in their own home garage..

You know, insane people... like ME.

Paul D

Thaddeus - Well, the WSM gives you all you need to know (with no 'gotcha's) by the book. When I replaced my clutch it was the first time I had ever done a clutch replacement on any vehicle. So long as your pilot bearing isn't fused to the short shaft (like on mine and John's) it's very straight foward. Good Luck!