Clutch Problems: Things to do before pulling the transmission.

[92stealth15g]

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Well my clutch is acting funny, hopefully we can get this figured out. It was making a rattling noise (TOB) and then it started locking me out of gears. I first noticed it when i launched and went to hit second and it wouldnt let me in. At first it went away but then it came back a second time and its worse now. I cannot get it in gear now unless I turn the car off, put it in gear and then start it (it pulls forward while im starting it).

The best way to explain it is that the clutch is not fully disengaging. My question is what things should I check before pulling the transmission off? I have already checked these things:
-pedal adjustment
-the slave and master are not leaking
-bled out the system
-checked fluid level in transmission

Is there anything else I should do or check before pulling the transmission off? Any ideas what it could be that is causing this? If it is internal do you think I need a whole new clutch or just a TOB? Thanks!!

[Ondontii]

does the car creep forward when you have it in gear with the clutch pushed in (and you rev the motor).

[Stealthee]

Could be a bent release fork.

Basically if its bent it wont depress the clutch enough to fully disenage. Its either that or damaged fingers on the pressure plate if all the hydraulics are checking out.

[92stealth15g]

Originally Posted by Ondontii

does the car creep forward when you have it in gear with the clutch pushed in (and you rev the motor).

the car pulls forward pretty violently if you start it in gear. Otherwise it will not even go into gear if you try putting it in while started already.

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Could be a bent release fork.

Basically if its bent it wont depress the clutch enough to fully disenage. Its either that or damaged fingers on the pressure plate if all the hydraulics are checking out.

how would I go about diagnosing a release fork? Would the tranny need to be pulled? So its possible I need a new clutch, but also possible I only need a new fork? The clutch has only around 1000 miles on it. same with the flywheel.

[Vorsath]

Even if the slave and master cylinders are not leaking they can still be bad, sometimes they start not working well enough. Are the noises only when you put it in gear or all the time while driving? If it's just when you are trying to shift then it might just be the gears grinding a bit.... Also if the fluid's get dirty in the master cylinder then it's probably bad. You can also push on the slave to see how fast it returns and if it returns all the way to where it should be on it's own. I know with my stealth I changed the trans fluids a couple times and and that helped for a while...eventually I had to replace the master and it was good for a long time...then it happened again and I replaced the slave and replaced the lines with the 3si steal braded and it's good to this day. But if it makes noise just driving, then that's nothing to do with the hydraulics or dirty fluid.

[92stealth15g]

Originally Posted by Vorsath

Even if the slave and master cylinders are not leaking they can still be bad, sometimes they start not working well enough. Are the noises only when you put it in gear or all the time while driving? If it's just when you are trying to shift then it might just be the gears grinding a bit.... Also if the fluid's get dirty in the master cylinder then it's probably bad. You can also push on the slave to see how fast it returns and if it returns all the way to where it should be on it's own. I know with my stealth I changed the trans fluids a couple times and and that helped for a while...eventually I had to replace the master and it was good for a long time...then it happened again and I replaced the slave and replaced the lines with the 3si steal braded and it's good to this day. But if it makes noise just driving, then that's nothing to do with the hydraulics or dirty fluid.

Thanks for the advice. Slave was replaced recently. The rattling noises happen when driving or sitting at an idle with the clutch not pushed in. The noises used to go away when the clutch was disengaged but now it is constantly there because the clutch is not disengaging.

[veerfour05]

Sounds like a release problem, not a clutch problem. Like they said check to see how far the slave is actually moving when the pedel gets pressed. Could be a bad master or slave. When you bled it was any air coming out or did it seem like there wasn't much in the system. If you were hearing the TOB noise before though I would imagine that it's the fork. Check the other stuff first and if that checks out pull the trans.

[Stealthee]

A thought just occured. The rattling could be the release fork itself. It may have somehow popped off the little ball it attaches to in the bellhousing.

[Healther Stealther]

I'm going through this same issue right now. My problem was the slave cylinder leaking and the fluid going low. It went low on fluid the first time and I had trouble getting in and out of gear just as you describe, car creeping forward, difficulty shifting, everything. I topped the fluid of fand was good for a few weeks then low again. The last time it went low I nearly did make it home. Fortunately I had the forsight to carry fluid with me in the car. I had to stop twice to add fluid, pump vigorously, and drive in 3rd gear as much as possble to minimize depressing the clutch to make it home.

I just removed the slave cylinder last night, cleaned it, and hit it with a hone to spooth out some pitting and corrosion. I just ordered a repair kit from Cherry Hill Triplex for $9.77 + $7.00 Shipping. A cheap fix. I had to remove the air filter box and some of the plumbing for the turbos. I did not remove the battery or washer fluid tank but wish I had. It would have been much easier. I was worried about disconnecting the battery and loosing use of the radio since I don't have the security code yet from the dealer.

My leak was obvious. I strongly feel from your description you have the same issue either on the slave or master cylinder.

Good Luck.

[92stealth15g]

Originally Posted by Stealthee

A thought just occured. The rattling could be the release fork itself. It may have somehow popped off the little ball it attaches to in the bellhousing.

this seems likely... it happened first during a harrdd launch against a terminator cobra. then it went away and happened again when i shifted hard to second....

My slave was recently replaced. I bled out the system and there was no air.