MichelleJD

My clutch fork pin fell out a while back and I bought a new one and stuck it in. Apparently the clutch fork slid off of the throw out bearing. What's the best way to line it back up? Please tell me I'm not going to have to pull the bell housing. Anyone have any bright ideas? TIA!

hp18racer

You should be able to get it in line again if you pull the clutch slave cylinder.

MichelleJD

I've pulled the starter and the slave, but I can't get it to go into place. Is it possible with the bell housing on?

tod84944

Yes, take the slave cyl off. Use the access hole on the side and move the fork around till you can pull the spoon end down into the hole on the side. Then push it up against the throw out bearing as you are pushing the guide rod in. You will have to move the fork back and forth as the rod lines up. Done it several times, so I know you can do it.

MichelleJD

You don't mean to pull the spoon end into the hole where the slave goes?

MichelleJD

It doesn't feel like it's going far enough forward to catch the TO bearing. My arms are numb after more than an hour at this. What am I doing wrong?

MichelleJD

Well, I tried for the better part of three hours and it won't work. I guess it's got to come apart.

Van

If it came off of the throw-out bearing while inside there, theoretically it should go back on while still being in the bell housing....

Maybe you need a fresh approach... try twisting it a new direction. Or try levering the throw out bearing a little with a pry bar through the inspection hole - something to give everything a little more movement.

Can you look in there easily with a flashlight and/or mirror? Can you see what's holding it up? Presumably you've wiggled it all around with an assortment of pliers?

MichelleJD

I have. I tried what I thought was every configuration. I cannot see in and that's why I'm scared I'm gonna have to rip it apart - it may be another problem as well. I've been thinking along the same line as you though; if it came out it should go back in!

PorscheDoc

Are you using a custom clutch setup? The fork should have no issues going in. Drop the slave end of the fork into the bellhousing, and let it hang out the inspection port. Put the bellhousing in place, and install some bolts to help hold it there. Slide the fork up about an inch into place and slide the pin in. It isn't going to feel like it really engages anything until you put the pin in, then you can wiggle the slave cylinder end of the fork and you should have a little bit of play.

PorscheDoc

Another stupid question, is the fork in the correct way and not flipped 180 degrees front to back (IE, is the cup where the slave cylinder pin sits where it should be)?

MichelleJD

The clutch pin fell out long after the car was back together. I didn't even realize that was the problem; I thought it just needed to be bled. I can get the fork to feel like it's grabbing something, but as soon as I put pressure on it it pops loose and flops around. Since I can't see in, I don't know what's up. It was working fine when I parked it 3 yrs ago. I'm at a loss :shrugs:

The cup is pointing the right way so that is not the issue. Any ideas? I'm scared silly I'm gonna have to tear it all apart just to figure out that I'm missing the TO bearing [maxwellsmartvoice] by that much[/maxwellsmartvoice].

Van

I've seen the ends break off the clutch fork... Perhaps this is your problem.

FRporscheman

I was also going to say that the fork could be broken, and that's why you can't get it to feel right. In which case, there is no way to fix it with the bellhousing on.

MichelleJD

It's what I'm scared of, but it wasn't broken when I last parked the car. The only thing that could have happened is that it somehow broke when the pin fell out. I don't know how that could have happened, but it IS a Porsche and MINE at that. Who knows.

Is there any way to get some kind of scope inside to take a look?