Clutch clunking

[megabob]

Hi all,

Every time i engage and disengage the clutch i hear a clunk i've put a new clutch and pressure plate in but i was wondering if it could be the clutch release bearing?

[Homem Bomba]

Did you tighten the bolts as per specification? Sometimes unbalanced bolts can the cause... Also check the clutch master cylinder for leaks...

[megabob]

I thought i did I'll recheck them. I don't believe the cylinder is leaking but I'll have a look.

[Homem Bomba]

megabob Wrote:I thought i did I'll recheck them. I don't believe the cylinder is leaking but I'll have a look.

Some more tips:

I dont believe it is the clutch release bearing because usually you hear a whine or whirring sound with the pedal un-pressed when these become worn out, not a clunk, but you can clean the grease there and re-grease it if dry.

While checking, verify the small springs that hold the clutch release fork against the clutch release bearing. Be extremely careful when putting the box back into the engine so that they do not become misaligned.

Place some anti-seize compound between the clutch slave cylinder and the fork to allow for smooth operation.

Check for dirt inside clutch slave cilinder by pulling out the boot and looking inside; if dirty, clean everything and place a bit of new multipurpose grease in there.

[Homem Bomba]

megabob Wrote:Hi all,

Every time i engage and disengage the clutch i hear a clunk i've put a new clutch and pressure plate in but i was wondering if it could be the clutch release bearing?

I forgot to ask... does this happen with the car stopped and in neutral?

[Rascal21]

I`ve got the same "problem" in my TA40 (Which I slammed a T50 transmission into), I havent had any real problems yet (Been a year).
Happens specifically when I put it in lower gear with clutch pedal held in, can hear a sound like WHIIITIITITITiiitititittttrrr, almost like a turbo

If you however feel that it is unsafe, go ahead and replace the release bearing, it`s not an expensive component, keep the old one for spare

Btw, Not to offend or sidewalk you, Homem Bomba, in ANY way,
BUT putting grease into the clutch slave cylinder, as well as WD40/WD 5-56 and so forth ticks of EVERY warning bell and defies every instruction out there, because brake fluid is what keeps the seal, these components dont take well to grease or de-greasers (And in fact speeds up the corrosion process on the cylinder walls/bore)
Just clean with brake fluid and take your time would be my advice (Based on previous experience), in fact, if you absolutely WANT to make sure, a disassembly of the slave cyl to inspect the cylinder bore is recommended.

If corroded, replace both master and slave cyl.

My humble .50`s

[Homem Bomba]

Constructive criticism is not an offense in many way, in fact I appreciate you taking the time to explain me why you should not put grease in the slave cylinder

What about a silicone-based lubricant? I use these whenever I have to lubricate a rubber-based part or boot and no special grease is advised. It says specifically that it is designed not to attack rubbers, unlike WD-40 or MP grease.

However, I do not recommend that you put brake cleaner in rubbers, as it may dry the rubber and make it brittle. In the case of the slave cylinder, the seal may also be damaged.

But the OP has not yet responded to my question... it this happens when the car is moving and in gear (shifting, for example) the problem may not even be related to the clutch at all. In that case, I'd say that the diff backlash needs to be re-tigthtened... its a common problem and ppl think it comes from the clutch, but the clunk is propagated through the propeller shaft and it seems like the problem is clutch related.

I have made a video on how I did the tuning of the differential backlash, it may be of use to anybody needing to adjust it...

[video=youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrE44D0SKKI

Cheers![/video]

[megabob]

wow thanks for all the info. sorry for the late reply didn't realize anyone else would respond.

[megabob]

Homem Bomba Wrote:

megabob Wrote:Hi all,

Every time i engage and disengage the clutch i hear a clunk i've put a new clutch and pressure plate in but i was wondering if it could be the clutch release bearing?

I forgot to ask... does this happen with the car stopped and in neutral?

errr i cant quite remember. I believe that when in neutral its quiet.

[megabob]

Homem Bomba Wrote:But the OP has not yet responded to my question... it this happens when the car is moving and in gear (shifting, for example) the problem may not even be related to the clutch at all. In that case, I'd say that the diff backlash needs to be re-tigthtened... its a common problem and ppl think it comes from the clutch, but the clunk is propagated through the propeller shaft and it seems like the problem is clutch related.
Cheers![/youtube]

I'm back , i think you might be right regarding the Diff as its a Cusco 2 way LSD i fitted for Japfest this year but its knackered and defiantly in need of a rebuild.
I've added your vid to my favorites on youtube