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Why does a wearing clutch get heavy?

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Old Aug 19, 2011 | 11:17 AM
  #1  
Rally Guy's Avatar
Rally Guy
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From: Toronto, Canada
Default Why does a wearing clutch get heavy?

I recently had my slave cylinder replaced and the tech noted that my clutch effort was way too high. I drive the car regularly and hadn't really noticed. So I tried to push the clutch pedal with my right foot and holy moly did that take effort!

I know my clutch is wearing out - and I've always understood that in our cars a wearing clutch creatses this heavy pedal effort. But, while I'm pretty technically inclined (and if not injured would have done the SC my self) I don't understand the mechanics behind heavy pedal pressure just because a clutch disc is getting thin.

Why is this?

RK
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Old Aug 19, 2011 | 01:07 PM
  #2  
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tbennett017
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From: Portland, Oregon
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IT has to do with the wearing of the clutch disk changing the tolerances. The clutch fork ands up working on a different point of leverage, thus increasing the required pressure. IMHO, it is engineered into the process so we have a live indicator of the wear...

My knowledge isn't perfect on this, but if you look at a slice/cutaway drawing of the clutch mechanism the intent becomes clear eventually.
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Old Aug 19, 2011 | 01:10 PM
  #3  
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Grazie
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I've wondered the same thing - hope to get some insights here. I do know that this phenomenon is not limited to 964s or pcars....the same was true on my '95 Toyota 4Runner (which has about nothing in common with the 964).
Cheers,
ATC
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Old Aug 19, 2011 | 01:55 PM
  #4  
Rally Guy's Avatar
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I know tragically little about geometry - but I wonder how the change in tolerances of a mere mm or two at the clutch disk thickness level can so dramitcally increase pedal effort.

I'm not doubting your logic - in fact its the first time I've heard any reasoning behind this and I would give it a mythbusters' "plausible". ; )

Can anyone dive deeper?

RK
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Old Aug 19, 2011 | 03:36 PM
  #5  
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Some interesting information here.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/clutch1.htm
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Old Aug 19, 2011 | 06:44 PM
  #6  
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The diaphram gets work hardened.
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