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OK, so I had my transmission (T5) rebuilt two years ago. They replaced the clutch disc and pressure plate, too (flywheel was supposed to be resurfaced, but wasn't).
Total disaster. Not going into all the details here.
Among the many things that were wrong, the clutch was coming in right at the top.
Just had the transmission rebuilt again, this time by someone who knows what he's doing. All the unmentioned transmission problems are resolved. Also put in a new flywheel and another new clutch disc and pressure plate. Also new throwout bearing.
If anything, the clutch is coming in even higher.
Checked the crankshaft endplay. 4/1000.
The guy doing the work says the only thing left is the clutch fork being bent.
1) Is there any other possible cause?
2) Is there an upgraded clutch fork?
3) If not, best source for new one?
4) Does the transmission have to come out to replace the clutch fork?
Do you have any other symptoms besides high engagement? Any grinding or difficulty getting into gear? I would check the throw out bearing and the clutch fork. Check if the clutch fork has any hairline cracks, it might be cracked and is flexing when the pedal is depressed. I had that issue before. Also make sure the throw out bearing doesn't bind when rotating it by hand. I also had that issue. And also, make sure the pressure plate is flat against the flywheel just to check while your in there. How do your hydraulics look?
Do you have any other symptoms besides high engagement? Any grinding or difficulty getting into gear? I would check the throw out bearing and the clutch fork. Check if the clutch fork has any hairline cracks, it might be cracked and is flexing when the pedal is depressed. I had that issue before. Also make sure the throw out bearing doesn't bind when rotating it by hand. I also had that issue. And also, make sure the pressure plate is flat against the flywheel just to check while your in there. How do your hydraulics look?
So the resolution of this was simple, and reminded me to be personally involved, and thorough.
The shop that had installed the clutch was hell-bent on pulling the transmission out and replacing the "bent" clutch fork that was causing the problem. The only reason they hadn't was because the owner was insistent this was going to be new work and charged at full-price. My position was if clutch forks being bent was as common as the owner was insisting, the clutch fork should have been checked when the transmission was out, especially since the clutch coming in at the top was one of the complaints I'd come to them with. I told him I was willing to give him 50 bucks for the labor to change the clutch fork and ball, but I shouldn't have to pay for pulling the transmission back out and putting it back in. We were on our way to splitting the difference.
I changed the oil in the car, and did a fluid check while I was at it. The clutch master cylinder was dry. I filled it up, and the pedal is coming in at the perfect spot.
Total luck that I found that. I'll never let a shop do anything to the car again without carefully checking it over myself first.
Yeah, but with Rock Auto you're not paying the NOS tax for a GM part, OR the Hawk's mark up. How dare ye try to compare a sub-$25 aftermarket replacement to the anointed NOS perfection of Hawk's?
06-04-2019, 10:21 AM
