Clutch Dragging!?

[3000GTVR41994]

Hey guys, I have a very large issue. Here is the breakdown of what is happening and what I have done thus far. First when I start the car it sounds like my starter solenoid is not retracting. It is making the sound like when your car is already running and you turn the key to start it again that like grinding sound, yea that. It goes away after like 4-5 seconds but is somehow dependent on my clutch. If I push the clutch at all it makes the grinding noise again no matter what. If I am in gear and at a stop light with the clutch fully depressed and let off the brake the car will pull forward as if the clutch isn’t disengaged at all. Another issue at hand is also the car is extremely hard going into gears. No grinding just very hard, so hard that my shift knob has been tightened twice in 1 week and still is coming off. Also if I try to put the car in reverse it is hard but when it goes it SLAMS and the whole car jolts and definitely doesn’t sounds good for the transmission. Ok here is what I have done so far. Changed the fluids in the transmission and transfer case w/ royal purple gear oil. I have adjusted my clutch pedal from one extreme to the other and tried everything in between w/ no change. I put a new slave cylinder in and bled the line thoroughly and it helped for like 2 days and went right back again. All my shift linkage appears ok and isn’t getting hung up on anything. My mechanic thinks the clutch is shot or warped causing my issues. I have no idea how old the clutch is but it is definitely not stock by any means. It feels like a stage III 6 puck it is VERY stiff and engagement is not smooth it is basically boom your in. Very hard to slip this clutch. So I don’t know and before I go dumping all this money into a new clutch and flywheel as well as the labor involved to have this done I want to be sure that all my other options have been exhausted. Thanks in advance.

Rob

[twinturbvr4]

My clutch hose went last July and I have been battling trying to get my clutch back to "normal" ever since. I replaced the hose obviously.. bled numorous times, changed the slave, bled again, changed the clutch itself as I needed a new trans due to everything that happened (long story) Now I have an erratic clutch. Some days its hard as a rock and has decent movement on it, other days it has SOOO much play its disgusting, my pedal has been adjusted OUT most of the way for several months. I also get a slight clicking when the pedal goes up and down (about half way through the motion in either direction) right now I am replacing the clutch vacuum hose that connects to the driver side of the intake plenum, as well as putting in a brand new clutch master.. if that all doesn't work.. well..

Not sure if any of that will help, just kind of shine a light and hopefully it will bring some ideas for you.

[3000GTVR41994]

anyone else have any ideas?? I REALLY need some help with this guys come on...

[JeffWVR4]

It does sound like the clutch is not fully disengaging. Looks like you've checked most of the external things, but make sure the clutch hose or Master Cylinder is not leaking. Have you checked the fluid level in the reservoir? You sure you got all the air out of the system? The clutch pedal should be adjusted such that the pushrod is unscrewed from the clutch pedal brakce as far as it can go and still have a little play at the top of the pedal stroke. Other than those things, you may have a broken spring or something in the clutch. So if you've verified everything else, the next thing to do would be to drop the tranny and inspect the clutch.

The noise that the starter makes is not uncommon,if it's in fact the starter making the noise, but should not be affected by the clutch at all, so this is disturbing as well.

[3000GTVR41994]

Yea just what I was afraid of with regards to the clutch. The fluid is full and hasn't changed levels at all. Master cylinder is not leaking anywhere visibly. The issue with the starter is a first for me. It NEVER made this noise until about a week ago and then it stopped. Now it is back much much more prominent. Like I said the most baffling part is it appears to be affted somehow by the clutch. More investigation is needed I guess.

EDIT: Also wanted to mention that I am thinking maybe the flywheel is warped...? So when i disengage the clutch it is like throwing it out of whack and causing the teeth to catch on the starter wheel...? Would this make sense or be plausible?

[JeffWVR4]

Doubt the flywheel is warped, but if it was, you'd probably feel a throbbing, chattering, or pulsation when slipping the clutch. And even if the flywheel was somehow catching the starter, pressing the clutch should have no effect on it.

If the Master Cylinder was leaking, you'd most likely find a trail of fluid on the inside of the firewall that has pooled up under the carpet on the driver's side. But the reservoir would be showing a drop in fluid level if that were the case.

[3000GTVR41994]

Yea, I already checked under the carpet and it is bone dry. I am just trying to figure out why this sudden change in behavoir with the car. It was fine 2 weeks ago and I haven't done any hard driving or anything that would bring such an event it on. Which is why I thought the slave cylinder would work but didn't. Also sometimes when i try to shift if I put the clutch down to the floor and go from say 1st-2nd it feels like it won't disengage at all and fight me coming out of gear. Again i have no idea on the age of the clutch but it is definitely aftermarket and may be shot...

[JeffWVR4]

I'll bet you find some broken spring fingers on the pressure plate.

[3000GTVR41994]

Yea, just got off the phone w/ my mechanic and that is what he is suspecting is the pressure plate fingers are either broke or very worn. Called the bank to pull a $2000 line of credit to fix the clutch get new starter, flywheel, and all new ball joints. Should be plenty and have some to spare for a rainy day. Thanks for your help man.

Rob

[JeffWVR4]

So what's the scoop? DId your mechanic find the problem yet?