Clutch Problem, Adjustment Changes Options

[Bruce Hinds]

I reinstalled the engine after a rebuild and for some reason that I can't figure out the clutch seems to go out of adjustment when the car warms up.

I park it and let it cool, the clutch works just fine. Pedal play and everything is normal until it warms up again. Seems to be a bit more play but when warm I can't get first or reverse with grinding. Starting in gear with the clutch in, the car still moves.

How can this be?

[izaporsche]

I reinstalled the engine after a rebuild and for some reason that I can't figure out the clutch seems to go out of adjustment when the car warms up.

I park it and let it cool, the clutch works just fine. Pedal play and everything is normal until it warms up again. Seems to be a bit more play but when warm I can't get first or reverse with grinding. Starting in gear with the clutch in, the car still moves.

How can this be?

Hi Bruce,
I am new to this forum, but felt compelled to add my two cents, it’s your pilot bearing. I went through the same thing , replacing clutch cables and clutch disc/pressure plate, making adjustments after every short drive because it became to difficult to shift into gear and nothing seem to help until I finally replaced my pilot bearing problem solved. Rule of thumb is to always replace you pilot bearing whenever you replace your clutch. My Symptoms were exactly like yours. To all of 914 owners out there happy new year, I’ve been on this sight roaming for a long time...great place to read and learn about this funny lookin but beautiful car that I have loved most of my adult life.

Tony

[Bruce Hinds]

I reinstalled the engine after a rebuild and for some reason that I can't figure out the clutch seems to go out of adjustment when the car warms up.

I park it and let it cool, the clutch works just fine. Pedal play and everything is normal until it warms up again. Seems to be a bit more play but when warm I can't get first or reverse with grinding. Starting in gear with the clutch in, the car still moves.

How can this be?

Hi Bruce,
I am new to this forum, but felt compelled to add my two cents, it’s your pilot bearing. I went through the same thing , replacing clutch cables and clutch disc/pressure plate, making adjustments after every short drive because it became to difficult to shift into gear and nothing seem to help until I finally replaced my pilot bearing problem solved. Rule of thumb is to always replace you pilot bearing whenever you replace your clutch. My Symptoms were exactly like yours. To all of 914 owners out there happy new year, I’ve been on this sight roaming for a long time...great place to read and learn about this funny lookin but beautiful car that I have loved most of my adult life.

Tony

Hi Tony, welcome to the group. I used to be a lot more active, something happened a few years back where we no longer receive emails when a post is responded to . . . so checking back to get answers is necessary. But I miss a lot of conversations now.

I had heard about the pilot bearing from another source but discounted the idea since I did put a new one in and made sure it was lubed. Perhaps I didn't get the pilot all the way in . . . I was hoping to find an easier solution than going back in there.

[izaporsche]

I reinstalled the engine after a rebuild and for some reason that I can't figure out the clutch seems to go out of adjustment when the car warms up.

I park it and let it cool, the clutch works just fine. Pedal play and everything is normal until it warms up again. Seems to be a bit more play but when warm I can't get first or reverse with grinding. Starting in gear with the clutch in, the car still moves.

How can this be?

Hi Bruce,
I am new to this forum, but felt compelled to add my two cents, it’s your pilot bearing. I went through the same thing , replacing clutch cables and clutch disc/pressure plate, making adjustments after every short drive because it became to difficult to shift into gear and nothing seem to help until I finally replaced my pilot bearing problem solved. Rule of thumb is to always replace you pilot bearing whenever you replace your clutch. My Symptoms were exactly like yours. To all of 914 owners out there happy new year, I’ve been on this sight roaming for a long time...great place to read and learn about this funny lookin but beautiful car that I have loved most of my adult life.

Tony

Hi Tony, welcome to the group. I used to be a lot more active, something happened a few years back where we no longer receive emails when a post is responded to . . . so checking back to get answers is necessary. But I miss a lot of conversations now.

I had heard about the pilot bearing from another source but discounted the idea since I did put a new one in and made sure it was lubed. Perhaps I didn't get the pilot all the way in . . . I was hoping to find an easier solution than going back in there.

Hi Bruce, I replaced my clutch twice thinking that the pressure plate was faulty and the clutch cable once thinking that was the problem, but never thought of replacing the pilot bearing because it felt fine spinning and not binding and was well greased, I think what was happening was the temp going up due to friction causing the bearings to siege up and make it hard to put the car into gear, finally decided to replace the pilot bearing and all is good...after removing the transaxle a couple of times it’s a breeze, approximately 1hr each time..