Sticky clutch release

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Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Sticky clutch release

Post by Jimb »

Has anybody experienced a sticky clutch release?
I find that after the car has warmed up the clutch seems to not have a smooth release. It's as if the cable needs lubricating or perhaps it's an adjustment. Is this a common problem? The clutch is new.
Jim
autotransgression
Posts: 95
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:01 pm
Your car is a: 1980 spider 2000
Location: seattle

Re: Sticky clutch release

Post by autotransgression »

yes, i have. i am a little worried about it. any attempt at a normal, smooth release will stall the engine. i have to rev slightly for that moment when it starts 'letting go'. i am worried that i am slowly cooking off my clutch. i assume i will have to get a new clutch sometime very soon. eagerly watching to see if anyone has some wisdom to offer.
- mik
GeorgeT
Posts: 379
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2012 12:41 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Fiat 124 Spider

Re: Sticky clutch release

Post by GeorgeT »

Check the clutch pedal fork where the cable attaches: it may need grease or the end of the cable may not be completely seated.
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Sticky clutch release

Post by narfire »

Did you replace the cable when you pulled the engine?
I've found that the cable over time can start to bind. I also added an additional ground strap from the engine to the body.
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
Jimb
Posts: 740
Joined: Mon May 05, 2008 1:03 am
Your car is a: 1985.5 Volumex

Re: Sticky clutch release

Post by Jimb »

No, I did not replace the cable.
I will install another ground strap and grease the links and see what happens.
Thanks,
Jim
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Sticky clutch release

Post by narfire »

Might consider a cable replacement. The sticky cable might start to flex the firewall and over time a crack will develop.
The extra ground strap is just an added bit of caution as if the original ground is not great, then the clutch cable can act as a ground wire causing issues like you are describing. I went to Lordco and bought some battery wire, soldered a couple of connections on and went from the lower studs on the passenger side of the engine to a stud for the radiator nuts.
Last edited by narfire on Sat May 30, 2015 12:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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kenncarp
Posts: 72
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Pininfarina 124 Spider
Location: Little Rock, AR

Re: Sticky clutch release

Post by kenncarp »

Its funny, my dad totally denies the car does it, but i notice it does. On take off or shifting when you go to release it it is super choppy and cant be relased smoothly. Its a lot harder to get a smooth takeoff, because it just sticks and jumps. I havent found a solution.
1979 Fiat 124 Spider (Red and Black Restoration)
1980 Fiat 124 Spider (Red parts Car/Autocross car)
1986 Toyota Tercel Wagon

17 Year Old Automotive Mechanical Engineer
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