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moorepower

The '81 924 na I just picked up has a clutch problem. The pedal is kinda hard to push, and it's creaky and sticky when it does move. The engagement of the clutch itself feels good, but it's hard to modulate the release because the pedal is all herky-jerky.

I took the cable off to lube it, and it looks and feels like new. The pedal assembly feels fine too. So, I'm pretty sure it's internal. Maybe the release shaft or throwout bearing?

Somebody tell me I'm wrong, and that I can easily fix this with some duct tape and bubble gum. Please?

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Dan.

'88 924S-LE (Luddite Edition)
Manual steering, manual sunroof, manual windows, AC delete, cruise delete, M030 Konis, 25.5mm torsions, 26.8/20 sways

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

Usually that's a sign of a worn / aging clutch cable. Visual inspection may not be sufficient to determine condition of the cable...
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

moorepower · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:35 am Post subject:

Yeah, I was sure it was a cable too. But I took the cable off and it moves smoothly back and forth like a new cable. In fact, it literally looks like a brand new cable, inside and out. I shot lube all the way through it with my cable luber just to be sure. When I put it back together, it felt the same as when I started. Crappy.
_________________
Dan.

'88 924S-LE (Luddite Edition)
Manual steering, manual sunroof, manual windows, AC delete, cruise delete, M030 Konis, 25.5mm torsions, 26.8/20 sways

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

What about the spring mechanism at the pedal? There is a white plastic piece that the spring sits in, these need to be lubricated, and if the plastic is deteriorated, I'm sure it would affect pedal feel. I'd grab a flash light and stick my head under there, see what the pedal feels like with the cable off, see if it makes noise on its own. I have a number of spare pedal assemblies, so if anything is amiss under there I can help you out with replacement parts.

Otherwise, I would begin to suspect the throw-out bearing.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

Joes924Racer · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 1:54 am Post subject:

No what to check for is the way the clutch pedal is hanging in its
bracket... ive seen and heard of the spot welds coming loose on the bracket leg resulting in a pedal that hangs crooked and binds and
doesnt work right.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

moorepower · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:17 am Post subject:

When I took the cable loose from the pedal, I pushed the pedal up and down a few times, and it felt fine. I'll have to climb under there with a flashlight and take a closer look at it, though. Maybe it's getting in a bind when everything is hooked up.
_________________
Dan.

'88 924S-LE (Luddite Edition)
Manual steering, manual sunroof, manual windows, AC delete, cruise delete, M030 Konis, 25.5mm torsions, 26.8/20 sways

Smoothie · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:51 am Post subject:

-or possible guide tube problem? Assuming your car has one...
The TO bearing rides on it - it might either be worn into a less than smooth shape, or just need lubricating. (Some very short, carefully aimed shots of spray lube with extansion tube/s attached...through the bottom with inspection plate removed. Obviously avoid lubing the clutch disc, pressure plate, or flywheel.)

<click>

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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."

'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

Joes924Racer · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 4:22 am Post subject:

Smoothie has shown us all that he shoots straight.. though the pedal moves easy make sure its straight in that that bracket hasnt worn out
& pulled away.
_________________
1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.

Slam · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:00 am Post subject:

As above re guide tube, but you may also want to check the plastic bushing on the bellhousing - the one the clutch actuator arm rides on.
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'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably

D Hook · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 3158 Location: Omaha, NE

We did a clutch job on a 79 not too long ago that had the same problem. It was sticking so bad the bracket that holds the clutch cable was deflecting about 1/4". Turned out to be the guide tube. If you can lube it with some spray you can get by for awhile but sooner or later......

You'll want to do something with it before it breaks the end off your clutch cable. Or bend the support bracket. Or both.

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'80 924 n/a SOLD

moorepower · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:34 pm Post subject:

Well, the pedal area looks good, so I guess a clutch job is in my future.

I'm going to try lubing the guide tube, and see if I can buy some time. I'd like to put at least one mile on the car before I tear it apart.

Thanks for the help, everybody.
_________________
Dan.

'88 924S-LE (Luddite Edition)
Manual steering, manual sunroof, manual windows, AC delete, cruise delete, M030 Konis, 25.5mm torsions, 26.8/20 sways

Duncan · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 5:30 am Post subject:

Hi Dan and other posters,

Any new insights or updates on this problem?
Did lube-ing the guide tube have any effect?
I have this problem too, and a relatively recent clutch and
guide tube (8 years).

Clutch cables are getting expensive: 100 euros=$130-ish.

Cheers,
Duncan
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1983 NA Alpineweiss since 2001
Peugeot 205 Generation

!tom · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 2:25 pm Post subject:

Yikes! I just picked up a new cable for far less than that when I got all new clutch bits from Pellican. Or was it AutohausAZ?

These are all classic symptoms of a failed pressure plate.

I replaced a bunch of other things when I was in there just because I was in there, but the other parts weren't causing the problem.
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78 924 NA
5-lug