Clutch problems

[Project240]

We're having problems bleeding the clutch in my RB20 S13. No matter how many times we put the clutch down to the floor, pull it up, put it down, pull it up, fill the reservoir, etc etc, we just can't get it to come back up off the floor by itself; there's no pressure. It goes down with ease, to a point; when it's almost to the floor, it stops, and then has pressure for, like, the last inch before it hits the floor. Apparently the slave cylinder isn't reaching the clutch fork until it's almost completely extended.

Has anyone else had this problem? Sounds like either we assembled the clutch fork wrong (I REALLY don't want to have to drop the trans to fix something like that ), or my release cylinder is bad or mismounted or something. Input???

[Joe]

you need to adjust the pedal.

[Project240]

Really? Is it really that simple?!!

.....That would be nice

[NISMO_RB25]

did you try using a vacuum pump? Best $30 I ever spent, because I can bleed all the lines without any help. Mine barely worked as well, but it wasn't as bad as yours.

[FAST-DATSUN]

take the stock dampner unit under the car out and route the line direct to the slave cylinder....

[biggadubuti]

first bleed the clutch master. lift the pedal, open the line on the CM, push the pedal down, then tighten the screw. keep doing that till you get all the air out of the master, then go down to the little block, on the chassis, bleed that normally, just like the brakes, then the slave. we did it on my 25, took a while, but not that hard, just need 2 people.

[goofynick6]

Sounds like a pedal problem...and sometimes, certain clutches will require readjustment of the slave-rod length, but I doubt that is the case.

Nick

[Project240]

Well we got the pedal adjusted, the clutch goes down and comes back up normally now, I can pull it in and out of gear while the car's running; essentially, the clutch WORKS. But, it has the absolute most $HITTY feel ever. It's incredibly spongy and soft, it goes about halfway down to the floor just with my foot resting on it.

Think maybe my slave cylinder needs replacing?? Or should we try bleeding the clutch again??....

edit: and while I'm on the subject, does Nismo make a slave cylinder for the RB20? I see an S13/S14 Nismo slave cylinder on http://www.phase2motortrend.com ....

[Porschephile]

Remove the stock clutch damper. I did this in my brother's CA s13 and it feels so much better! It is more precise, direct, firm and does not have any of the "sponginess" like stock.

[goofynick6]

A new slave cylinder would probably help, but sounds like it could use more adjustment. The nismo unit is super pricey and you probably don't require it.

Nick

[wga240]

I'd definitely take out that clutch dampener box and loop. It's easy to do as long as you're careful when bending your hard line around. Also you may want to consider going to Autozone or someplace and getting a master cylinder rebuild kit. It's pretty cheap ($10.99 from Autozone) and is good long-term insurance.

I'd recommend removing the dampener block and loop first and re-bleeding, then see how the pedal feels. If it still doesn't feel like it's making the correct pressure then try rebuilding the master cylinder.

If you do remove the dampener, be gentle when bending the main clutch hard line around to mate up with the rubber line going to the slave cylinder. Bend it slowly with your hands or a small hand-held bender, and make sure you don't crimp it shut.