333pg333

Before I take it over to my mechanic, I thought I'd run this one past the board.
Was in my car with the engine off today and pushed the clutch in before putting it into gear. The clutch seemed to hit a weird stiffness about 2/3rds down and I had to push really hard to move it further. I started the car in neutral and tried again. Bingo, no problems. Clutch engages and disengages. Turned the motor off and tried again. It depressed fine immediately afterwards but with each depression, it grew increasingly harder and went back to how I found it. Turned the motor on and back like new. What the??? Damaged guide tube getting off centre when engine off and then relocating to the centre when motor on?? What else could it be....??

Luis de Prat

Have you checked the firewal where the clutch master cylinder is attached? It may have begun to crack and make pedal operation erratic. I know mine did!

333pg333

Hmm, that's a possibility Luis. It does move a little if you push down firmly all the way. Still weird that it works with the engine running though??

TonyG

sounds more like a clutch fork bearing (guess)


TonG

gt37vgt

yeh fork bearing guess your engine is to load to hear if there is noise hay ??

333pg333

So will this just get worse and how is it that it goes away when the engine is on?

Luis de Prat

Are you referring to the needle bearings in the clutch fork? TIA

TonyG

Yes

Just a guess though.



TonyG

Van

My vote is on a broken throw-out bearing guide tube...

333pg333

That's what we're thinking Van. I have a track day tomorrow. Hope it holds off till then.

Van

Just remember - if you step on the clutch, and meet a hard resistance, quickly get off of it and press it again (like double pumping the clutch). Chances are the 2nd time you step on the clutch it will be aligned a little differently. (Ask how I know...)

333pg333

It feels perfectly fine when the motor's running. Soon as you turn it off and pump it, it gets stiffer and stiffer down the bottom and then engine on, Presto it's gone. Could be guide tube or maybe pressure plate. When the motor is on they might re align due to centrifugal force?