Clutch warning signs
 

My clutch is starting to feel funky in the turbo car, it's a Spec S3 whatever metal clutch. The pedal is starting to feel a little squishy at the top, then gets good and firm progressively. Previously, I could feel the ~1/2" slop at the top, then immediate pressure. I also think the disengagement point is lower. I bled the slave and nothing changed. The clutch is about 4-years old with roughly 120-track hours. It still locks-up fine in every gear and never slips...but I think the friction material will wear down to nothing before it slips.

If it's on the way out, I'd like to go ahead and replace it, rather than lose a day at the track.

Sounds like a hydraulic problem, not a clutch problem.

Master cylinder is 1-year old, slave is 6-months old, neither leak. I agree with you though.

That was my first thought, but I'm no expert. Have you rebuilt/replaced the master? Mine went south soon after rebuilding the slave.


Edit: Bah, ya beat me to it. I'd still say master cylinder.

I gotta remember to bleed the clutch hydraulics twice a year in each car. The water is killing them, the fluid is black; this is probably the culprit.

Super Blue DOT4 fluid. End of water problems.

Have you checked the inside of the firewall?

Why do you have water in there? Open the bleeder on the slave, and flush all that crap out until you get clean, clear fluid out. There shouldn't be any moisture in there at all.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, that's why I have water in there.

If you're bleeding them twice a year, you shouldn't have much in there. Are you using old fluid that sits on a shelf? Don't buy it in quarts, unless you plan on flushing something. Buy pints, and toss what ever is left over. Even a tightly capped bottle will absorb moisture.

Once had a Celica, and had nothing but problems with the brakes. Rebuilt and new calipers both froze up after 6 months. I finally tore down the master, and found lots of sludge in the bottom. I figure someone must have filled the thing while it was raining out to get that much water in there.

First thing I do now with any car I buy is flush all the fluids. Radiator, oil, tranny, diff, hydraulics. It's amazing how many problems go away when you do that.