Just got done paying 1450.00 for a new clutch and flywheel. I had the work done at a local import place. The guy seems to know what he is doing and has worked at a porsche dealer previously....who knows. I get in the car and engage the clutch and release the clutch and immediately stall the car. The clutch now engages about 1/2" from the floor and catches almost immediately. The top part (first 9/10's of travel) of the clutch does nothing only the last 1" or so. He told me that since it is a hydraulic clutch there is no adjustment. Is this normal with a new clutch? Will it work its way out? Thanks!

 

What kind of clutch did you get? High performance clutches do tend to a have a "button" action.

 

While it's true that there's no "adjustment" with a hydraulically-actuated clutch, it is possible to get air trapped in the lines. When this happens, not all of the motion of the clutch pedal gets translated to motion at the clutch.

If the clutch really isn't starting to disengage until the pedal is within 1" of the floor, I would say that something's not right. I'd see if you can get your mechanic to try bleeding the lines. If he's not willing, I'd just take it somewhere else - compared to what you've already spent, the additional $60 or so to have the clutch bled would be well worth it if it fixes the pedal feel.

 

thanks for the info....it is a Spec performance clutch stage one and a basic aftermarket flywheel. The car has 45k on it and the old clutch was literally shredded.....I kept it so my 17 y.o. son could see the damage he caused with his burn outs! I'll try bleeding the clutch and see if it helps....I'll probably get used to it, but it is the opposite of what it was and is going to take some getting used to.

 

Mind showing me the picture :-P
I'm 17, and luckily haven't had to replace a clutch! (yet 8-D)

 

I'd like to see as well. I just ticked over 50k on my '02 last week. I'm 22 and have had pretty good luck with clutches but I also try to do my hard driving in gear, not between them. Just recently, I've noticed my clutch engaging slightly higher than it used to but I think it's still got a lot of life left. Remember, the '02 had higher gearing so it's a bit harder ont he clutch than newer models.

The suggestion about air in the line seems reasonable. Is it engaging 1/2" from the top or bottom?

 

1/2"-1" from the bottom....I'll try and post pics in a couple of weeks. I've got to go out of town on biz. I couldn't believe how shredded that clutch was and it wasn't slipping. The only indicator of a problem was how a bit of "racheting" when you depressed the clutch.

 

sounds like a nice race clutch. is it hard to just leave from a light and be smooth? cause if it is it might be a 4 puck clutch and VERY hard to drive at normal speeds smooth.

After driving porsches with crazy hydrolic clutchs they are VERY different then a typical cabel pull clutch.

 

I'm on my second Spec clutch. I started with the stage 3, which I destroyed with 3 years of hilly, in-town driving, autocrosses and 23k miles. The clutch and the flywheel inner ring were both down to the screws. I've now had the spec stage 3+ on for about 200 miles.

With a lightened flywheel (at least for the Spec one) the clutch engagement moved nearer to the top of the pedal throw due to the smaller thickness of the flywheel. As my clutch wore it became closer and closer to the top until I could literally push the clutch in 1 - 1 1/2 " to shift. With the new clutch I'm back to about half-way again.

Perhaps your new clutch has put the engagement back to what I remember to be the stock throw: 3/4 or more of the way to the floor. Maybe it's the contrast to the worn-out one that makes it seem odd.

 

23k miles on one clutch? Do you live in san francisco?

 

Nah, western PA. I have had manual tranny vehicles all of my driving life, so it shouldn't be technique. I'm guessing that the problem has been trying to smoothly feather a clutch that's designed to go "bang". Either that, or those clutches don't last that long.

 

Man if that's all it takes to fry a performance clutch, then I'd be skeptical of putting on in my mini when the time comes.

I had the clutch changed on my Saab at 100k, and I thought that was not enough miles.

 

This is OT, but the clutch on my 1986 325e went 200,000 miles. It was done by that point, however.

mb

 

When I bought my 02 MCS it had a "race" type clutch just installed, and it was horrible, hard engagement, shuddering, heavy pedal etc, I complained enough at the dealer to convince them to put in a new stock clutch and it is much more enjoyable. I've driven standards for over 25 years. I'm guessing you had become so used to a high pedal engagement from your worn out old clutch you just need some relearning time. A couple inches from the floor doesn't seem unreasonable. It may seat a little higher as the clutch wears in. If the weight of the pedal feel changes through out the throw then I'd say you have air in the system, but if it feels consistant then you probably don't. Good luck hope this helps.

 

thanks to all....I'm going out on the track on the 26th...I'll find out how it does then...

 

I wish my clutch was like that.

The stock clutch is so soft and sloppy, I cant stand it.