Interesting clutch problem

[VTEC_Inside]

This is my cousins '96 Integra LS 5spd we are talking about here.

The clutch is dragging A LOT with the pedal down. He had a leaking clutch master AND slave cylinder, that have both been replaced now.

Everything has been properly bled. You can see the release fork actuate and it will hold at full extension, but the clutch (or something) is still spinning the input shaft.

I'm not talking a little here either, its enough to prevent engagement into any gear without grind at a standstill. Also, if started in gear the car will lurch. It will run, but its pulling (or pushing) against the ebrake the whole time. If you shove it out of gear you can hear the revs pick up and the car runs proper, but again, you can't put it back into any gear.

Too make matters worse, apparently this is an intermittent thing.

I initially guessed that maybe the throwout bearing had wedged to the input shaft and the pressure plate was driving the input through it. However unlikely that is, I don't think its the case here as it will move the car.

My current guess is that part of the clutch disc has broken and is intermittently wedging itself against the pressure plate. This scenario seems more likely to me.

Thoughts?

[S204STi]

Your last scenario seems very likely.  Possible flywheel or clutch damage.

[Soup DeVille]

I've had the broken piece o' clutch in the works problem before (actually it was one of the finger-springs), and it acted much like you've described.

[AutobahnSHO]

+1 to Soup and R-Inge.

I had that issue on the SHO. Replaced the clutch. There was spring from the disc bouncing around..

[VTEC_Inside]

Well he has ordered a new clutch kit and is supposed to start dismantling the car tonight.

I'll report back with whatever he finds.

Not that its going to matter much to him. I just can't see how he is going to pay his $5700 insurance bill for the coming year.

[AutobahnSHO]

I just can't see how he is going to pay his $5700 insurance bill for the coming year.

Time to trade it in for a (regular) Taurus..

[TBR]

Well he has ordered a new clutch kit and is supposed to start dismantling the car tonight.

I'll report back with whatever he finds.

Not that its going to matter much to him. I just can't see how he is going to pay his $5700 insurance bill for the coming year.

What kind of coverage does he have?!?! The Prelude is right around $100/month, liability only (but with high liability rates). Of course it is part of a multi-car and homeowners policy so that helps.

[VTEC_Inside]

What kind of coverage does he have?!?! The Prelude is right around $100/month, liability only (but with high liability rates). Of course it is part of a multi-car and homeowners policy so that helps.

Liability only, him principal driver, he turns 19 in a few days.

[TBR]

Liability only, him principal driver, he turns 19 in a few days.

He needs a better insurance company, I'm 19 too.

[VTEC_Inside]

He needs a better insurance company, I'm 19 too.

He's called around several places. That's just how it is here. I warned him before he got the car too, but what do I know...

[VTEC_Inside]

Clutch is out. On of the metal tabs on the clutch disc that hold the springs in position snapped off and wedged against the pressure plate.

[AutobahnSHO]

pics?

[VTEC_Inside]

pics?

He hasn't taken any that I know of... I'll probably swing by there later today and get some.

[Soup DeVille]

Clutch is out. On of the metal tabs on the clutch disc that hold the springs in position snapped off and wedged against the pressure plate.

Score for me!!!

[VTEC_Inside]

[S204STi]

Cool!

[VTEC_Inside]

Top side in first pic is against the pressure plate so when that bit broke off, well....

[AutobahnSHO]

Score for me!!!

And me.  :D

When my SHO clutch gave out (in ONE day. Seriously it was fine then totally broken)
after I tore it apart one of the INSIDE springs (the littler ones inside the big ones) was bouncing around loose.

[VTEC_Inside]

5hrs and a bit tonight and we got it all back together. :)