Clutch is gone!

[Disposition]

Hey guys, I could use some help here.

Yesterday when I got in to start the car after work it seemed like the clutch pedal was catching lower than usual. I cranked the engine and started home figuring that it was just my imagination. A mile into the drive I knew I had a problem. The clutch was now catching even lower.

Going over an overpass in backed up traffic I could barely get it in gear. At that point I had about two inches left in the pedal. I made it to the interstate and all was good until I went down my exit. At the bottom it wouldn’t go into gear at all, the clutch was basically all the way down on the stopper that sits above the floorboard.

I was able to bend the clutch with my foot to the left of the stopper so I could push it all the way to the floor. This gave me enough to get it into second and that’s where I left it until I got home.

The only thing I can think of that could have caused it was a weird take off the night before. When I pulled out, kind of fast into traffic it wound up a little and then something smelled hot. But only for a minute. It seemed fine but obviously was not.

Sorry for the length but I wanted to include all details that might help.

I am just looking for someone with a little more knowledge than me to tell me where to start looking. I checked the fluid and it was full. Other than that, do I take it to a mechanic and get raped by their prices or is this something a novice might be able to tackle.

Thanks in advance for any response.

Darren M

[59ghia]

Get under it and have some press the clutch pedal, see if you are getting movement, It sound like either the slave cylinder or the clutch master.

Usually when a clutch wears it starts slipping.

Best of luck

Dave

[Mr Camouflage]

Sounds like your clutch was slipping, which it does when they wear out and get a bit thin.

You could try adjusting the rod on the slave cylinder (if the Z one is adjustable, I cant remember. It probably is).

That migt give you a little more use out of it, but it would probably happen again, and you might get stuck miles from home. and you risk scoring the flywheel from the rivots in the clutch plate.

Changing the Clutch isn't too difficult, but is not a job for a beginner. If you can afford to pay someone else to do it, its worth it to save youself the hassle.

[Bambikiller240]

More than likely one of the hydraulic cylinders is stuffed. Look for signs of leakage around them.