Ray986

I purchase a 964 (1990 C2 GP White) several months back and was wondering about the very stiff pedal feel compared to my Boxster and from what I remember from my earlier Porsches (914 1.7 and 1973 911S). As the clutch is hydraulically activated, I'm not sure this is normal. Any ideas? Thanks. --- Ray ---

Steven C.

Welcome! And you got to post pics...we like pics.

Does the car have enough miles on it that the clutch would have been replaced? If so there is a good chance that a heavier pressure plate may have been used. There was also an update to the fork that others can comment on. In general though the stock clutch on a 964 is a little stiffer than a Boxter from my experience.

chancecasey

Maybe your left leg suddenly got weaker and you never knew 'til now.

chancecasey

Just kidding

A new 964 clutch is pretty stiff, and a "heavy duty" one is really stiff.

Easiest thing to do first is get down there and clean out the pivot areas around all the pedals. 16 years of dust, lint, hair, etc. can bind it up. Vaccum it out, WD-40 it (a temporary solution) and see if that helps.

You can also adjust the strength of the clutch pedal return spring. It could be set too stiff.

This is about all you can do without removing the engine/tranny.

boxsey911

I too would describe the 964 clutch pedal as stiff compared to modern cars.

The beauty is that there is great feel to the bite point compared to a light clutch.

Ray986

Thanks Steve-will post pics soon, car has 96 K miles so would think that a replacement clutch is a possibility along with a heavier pressure plate. Haven't seen any reply posts re fork design so I'm not sure how the new design would affect pedal feel.

Ray986

Chance, left leg may be a little weaker but think that a hydraulic activated clutch wouldn't be that stiff. I was thinking that it could also be the return spring so will look into that as well as lubricating the bushings on the pedal cluster. Thanks. --- Ray ---

Ray986

I agree about the feel of a heavier clutch as compared to a light one, however, this one seems a bit too heavy. I think I'd develop a larger left thigh in a hurry if I used the car in DE events. --- Ray ---

ADRNLN

In my '92 C2T, the clutch is pretty heavy, for sure - especially compared with nearly every other car I've ever driven. When I get back into my '87 Carerra, I almost put my foot through the floorboard! And my first car was a 944 with a clutch like butter.

After a while, the C2 clutch will feel perfectly normal. And, hey, in time, you'll be able to kick 200 yard field goals!

--Steve

tbennett017

Clutch feel varies a lot among my 964 friends. I first bled, then ultimately replaced my clutch slave cylinder, and it is much better than some other 964s I have felt. It was heavy and cranky..but a lot better now.

If you search for "clutch slave" and "bleed".. you will find a lot of reading on the subject.

garrett376

You guys all need new clutches!!! A brand new clutch - whether a stock one, or an RS lightweight setup, is REALLY light. Once you feel a new one, you'll wonder why you suffered through the worn out heavy ones!

911addict

Its strange how the same cars can feel so different. My clutch was always stiff (now its modded even stiffer!) whereas a friend wity the same car is very light. As long as it operates properly stick with it.
PS: If its stiff, just handle the car rougher, always worked for me.

Wachuko

Agreed... a new clutch (in my case it was all stock components) in the 964 feels butter smooth... I remember picking up the car from the dealer after the clutch change and almost pushing the clutch pedal thru the floor thinking I needed the same effort as before... I thought something was wrong and that the dealer forgot to connected the lines... nope... it was all good and it was very very smooth to operate. At the time I was not aware of the new fork that was available and now, after a few years, the clutch pedal is getting stiff again...

Ray986, your car might need some clutch work if you find it hard to work the clutch. These cars needed an updated fork so make sure you get the new part as part of the clutch job (along with new needle bearings, etc... ).

JasonAndreas

All 964s were originally delivered from the factory with the "updated" fork bearings. The updated release bearing with the polyamide insert was used to help prevent the clutch from sticking when it was disengaged.


Clutch Pedal - Stiff or Hard to Depress
Group
3

Number
9301

Model
911 C2/C4

Part Identifier
3056

January 14, 1993
Subject:
Stiff Clutch Actuation High Pedal Effort

ATTENTION:
Service Manager/Service Technician

Models Affected:
1990 to 1992 Carrera 2/4 (L, M, N)

Concern:
Clutch pedal stiff or hard to depress.

General Information:
Extensive investigation of clutch components which were replaced for stiff clutch actuation has produced the following results:

A 90% reduction in clutch pedal force was achieved by replacing only the clutch disc. Only in cases of high mileage, pronounced wear or serious corrosion should all the clutch parts and actuation elements be considered for replacement.
Repair Information:
As a result the following procedure should be used before replacing clutch parts for stiff clutch actuation. (High pedal effort.)

1. Bleed the clutch hydraulics.
2. Check pedal operation. (See Technical Bulletin Group 3, Number 9202.)
3. Check clutch and operating parts for serious wear or corrosion. (Some wear and light corrosion is considered normal.)
4. Replace clutch disc.

Vehicle Information:
As of August 24, 1992, from engine number 62 P 010678, clutch disc Part Number 964 116 013 50 is installed in production. This part should be installed if disc replacement becomes necessary.

Wachuko

Clutch guide tube and release fork were updated by porsche, so I would replace them. Fork no longer uses needle bearings.

I am getting ready to order these parts to have them handy when it comes time to change the clutch (or when I get tired of the pedal effort required).

From an old post from KirkF

Parts needed:
999 113 426 41 rear main seal (1)
964 114 012 02 Two - Mass Flywheel (1)
999 119 017 01 cheese-hd screw (flywheel bolt) M10x1.25x62 (9)
999 052 169 00 ball bearing 15x50x11 (1)
950 114 283 00 spring washer (1)
950 114 281 00 washer (1)
950 116 086 06 clutch release fork (1)
950 116 715 01 clutch fork bush (2)
964-116-028-90 pressure plate (1)
964 116 014 62 clutch disc (1)
950-116-080-08 release bearing (1)
964 114 143 02 starter ring (1)
999 510 015 02 PP Bolts (cheese-hd. Screw M8*40) (9)
950 116 813 06 clutch guide tube (1)
900 270 055 02 screw M6 x 14 (2)
950 116 710 04 operating shaft (1)
999 113 418 40 operating shaft gasket (2)
999 201 339 00 operating shaft bush (1)
999 201 365 00 operating shaft bush (1)
950 116 725 00 operating shaft cover (1)
000 043 024 00 Olista Longtime 3EP (1)

Flywheel and starter ring really depends on the condition of yours... but if it is the original flywheel you might want to look into replacing that as well... starter ring only needs replacing if it is missing teeth... Rear engine main seal is also one of those "while you are in there" parts that should be change...