Help me please, oh knowledgeable ones... I have an '86 240 w/M46 245Kmiles that runs well but has a few issues of course. Thanks so much for the advice you've given me in the past...

I desperately need some advice:

My clutch has just yesterday started to slip when I shift into 2nd gear. It makes no unusual noises but RPM's climb on the tach without the corresponding speed increase :( If I back off on the power it sync's up and drives fine.

1. Is it possible to adjust the clutch cable (I seem to not have any free play in the clutch, so perhaps if it could be adjusted, I could get some more miles out of the clutch before replacing...)

2. I can't seem to be able to adjust the clutch cable (there seem to be many versions of the clutch cable out there, and mine has a rubber adjusting nut that deforms when I apply sufficient torque to try to get it to move)

3. I could replace the clutch cable and then adjust it, but would it all be for naught if the clutch is about to quit?

What are the failure modes of the clutches on the 240? I am a bit hesitant to attempt to repair/replace the clutch as I haven't attacked anything like that before. The price of a complete clutch kit is quite tempting though at $100 from fcpgroton (SACHS).

This Brickboard has been great as I have learned a lot from all of you. Many thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions you can share with me!

Best regards,

TomD
'86 240
'93 240

"3. I could replace the clutch cable and then adjust it, but would it all be for naught if the clutch is about to quit? "

Clutch cable is easy to replace. So I'd replace it, if I couldn't transfer just the nut over, before I worried about replacing the clutch.

When you pull on the cable (under the car), is it tight? If so you may get a few more miles if you slacken it some. It's possible that the cable has been too tight all along and the clutch disc has finally worn down enough to cause it to slip. You won't drive it far with it slipping cause it will wear out completely, in a hurry.

hillbilly,

I think it is too tight. I think an adjustment will solve it, but I can't get the cable adjustment nut to work properly. I may just have to replace the cable in order to try to adjust free play, and if Murphy is my friend as usual, I will find that the clutch will need to be replaced.

Regards,

TomD

The reason clutches slip is because the clutch disk wears down too much and the pressure plate cannot effectivly clamp the clutch plate. This occurs due to slippage, either by riding the clutch or too much revving the engine or slipping the clutch during takeoff.

If you slip the clutch too much, the flywheel face will burn and it will either have to be replaced or turned (machined).

What's your technique?
--
Warren Bain - '99 V70GLT G-Valve > 70K mi, '96 965 >110Kmi Wifemobile near Manassas Va.. Check the 700/900 FAQ via the 'features' pull down menu.

TRM,

Thanks for the reply, I understand about the slippage. I don't ride the clutch, don't rev it up and pop the clutch, don't powershift (that's a good one!) or any racing stuff ... ;) but the "free play" in the clutch pedal has decreased over the past 6 months or so, and now there is none. The clutch begins to dis-engage/engage (right word?) immediately when I press on the clutch pedal... there is no free play. That is why I think that an adjustment would solve the problem. But I'm unable to adjust the cable free play!

Regards,

TomD

If you guys are all worried about clutch life, have you ever considered shifting from 2 gear on up w/o using the clutch?