Clutch problem...

[kylereece22]

Hey everyone. Would appreciate a bit of feedback if you have any thoughts. I have an 89 with 172 k miles...also the transmission has a Quaife installed. It is my daily driver and today the clutch pedal become less firm and I am not able to put the car in gear unless the engine is off. No previous noises, issues or anything. Clutch was fine and tight. I will not be able to look until the weekend...but thought I would ask. Hope its not internal...the clutch was replaced by previous owner about ten years back with a Ford clutch...thanks people.

 

[sperold]

Most likely the throw out bearing (TOB) has chewed the tips off the diaphram pressure plate fingers. This puts your "bite" point of the clutch pedal down in the carpet.
The good news is the clutch kits seem to have come down in price lately. You most likely have the 9 3/4" clutch.
Start soaking your exhaust studs and sub-frame bolts with penetrating oil.

 

[kylereece22]

Really? Bugger...thanks for the answer. How do I know what size my clutch is?? Do you recommend any particular clutch kit? I looked on rockauto and an Exedy one is nearly $400 cdn...that good?
Cheers.

 

[luigisho]

You would have to measure it to get the size right. 89-90's cam with a 9.25" which was generally too small and went to 9.75" thereafter. Most replacements upsized to 9.75 but you should check to make sure. I think the flywheel was upsized to use the larger clutch.

 

[shobote]

The previous owner likely upgraded to the larger flywheel and Ford OEM clutch; the TOB is probably the culprit, similar to mine which just went out. Yes, there are good deals out there, I just got a new LUK clutch on ebay free shipping and no tax, for $ 175 total (made offer which was accepted)

 

[sperold]

Do not pay a premium for a clutch kit. They are all based on the Valeo (original) clutch. The last one I bought had the dubious name of Rhinopak and it is A1. The modified clutches that you may come across have a habit of wearing out the TOB quicker than the stock unit, and some have had problems.

If someone went to the trouble of installing a Quaife differential, you will have the 9 3/4" clutch unit. You can confirm that when you remove the flywheel to have it re-surfaced. Often (on here) you will find flywheels that have been removed and re-surfaced, and that will save you some time. I have seen them as low as $50.00.

You may even have an aluminum flywheel with a steel insert, as that mod is popular when you are installing a Quaife.

If you are in Canada, have it shipped to a UPS store on the border and pick it up yourself.

Figure $200.00 for a clutch kit and $500.00 to install at a first class place with experience in these cars, and everything goes well with the bolts and studs. It can be done at home, but it is involved and takes some know-how.

 

[SHOdded]

I do believe Josh over at SHONutPerformance.com used to stock a VHS tape for clutch replacement howto. You could ask if maybe it's available on DVD or something?

EDIT: Here ya go:
http://shonutperformance.com/clutchvideo.htm

 

[kylereece22]

Thanks for the great information everyone. I am close to the border and do pick things up for cheaper via the mail. It definitely has the Quaife so what you said makes sense. My father is a retired mechanic and we do all the work in his garage...however its been many years since we did a clutch. And in these cars...yikes. But I will give it a go. I will scout out ebay more. Thanks everyone.

 

[AREA 91]

Spend the extra money on a ceramic throw out bearing from SHO NUT. They are worth every penny!!!

 

[kylereece22]

Ok I will check it out. Thanks.

 

[itwonder]

SHOnut's video is worth every penny, as much for the detailed written procedure that comes with it as the video itself.

 

[Mikey]

It's not a terrible job. Open up a weekend. Label your nuts and bolts and bag them or stick them in a card board or styrofoam sheet. TAKE PICTURES.

I paid $360 U.S. for a borg&warner clutch and throw out bearing.

Had the same problem, could not get into gear unless the engine was off. Cause: one of springs came out of clutch disc and lodged in such way that clutch would not disengage. Sounds more like what sperold described earlier.

Also if you install your clutch disc backwards you will find the same outcome. Dont ask how I know haha. Best of luck, awesome you have a quaife diff!