clutch Issue

[Peter Sharp]

Hi,
I have a 89 SHO with 88,000 miles on it. I'm not sure whether it is on the original clutch or not. But here's what I'm having. When the temp is above 50 degrees the clutch works fine! But when it gets cold--under 30 degrees, the clutch gives me grief. What a mean by gives me grief is that I can shift into any gear with a synchronizer 1-5 without grinding but when I try to put the car in reverse because theres no synchro it grinds as if I don't have the clutch all the way depressed. What would cause the clutch to work fine on warm days and be a bitch on cold days? I'm about ready to just replace it if I can't figure out whats wrong.

Thanks in advance for you help.
89 SHO MAN--Peter

<small>[ March 24, 2003, 09:43 PM: Message edited by: Peter Sharp ]</small>

 

[betterman]

When going into reverse just go into fifth gear first and then into reverse. Reverse grinding is common on the sho so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

 

[SHO_Driver]

You can also go into third, wait then go for reverse, just do it fast. If it doesn't lock into reverse, roll forward a bit and try it again.

 

[sdpatt]

There is an interlock to prevent going from 5th to reverse. Try second or fourth.

The pressure plate fingers and/or throwout (release) bearing are probably worn. Try pulling up on the clutch pedal with about 10 pounds of force to re-tension the clutch cable. If this doesn't help, a new clutch and throwout bearing are probably in order.

I just went through this service due to the same symptomes and you can read about it and see the pictures here.