Free play in clutch

[subiestyle]

So I was browsing the clutch pedal adjustment DIY thread and some people were talking about free play on the clutch.

Specifically, they said there should be a bit of free play when you first go to depress the clutch. Is this true?

I don't have any freeplay when I first go to depress the clutch, but I have free play toward the floor.

[Reaper]

you have ZERO freeplay? as in the clutch disengages the moment you touch the pedal?

[subiestyle]

what is free play?

I thought it was the small inch of travel from the top of the pedal when you start to feel resistance. So basically there are 2 levels of resistance. The first inch of free play that can be pushed with a finger and then the normal level of resistance of the clutch springs/tension.

my clutch disengages about half way in the pedal.

[Reaper]

good.

Also if you read that entire thread he explains how to test if your clutch is adjusted propperly.

[subiestyle]

so your clutch pedal has immediate resistance when you go to depress the pedal?

http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-foru...eeplay.689032/

http://honda-tech.com/showthread.php?t=2992453

here and some other google searches is why i made this thread. i have no "freeplay" as defined on these other forums.

[humfrz]

Basically, as I understand it, "freeplay" in a clutch usually refers to the amount of clutch pedal travel from its point of upper rest to where the clutch pedal (going through a cable or mechanical linkage or hydraulics) starts to disengage the clutch disk from the flywheel.

Yes, some clutch freeplay is desirable ..... if it doesn't exist, the disk may not be totally disengaged from the flywheel and the constant friction will burn it.

I hope that helps.


humfrz

[subiestyle]

so does anyone else have zero free play?

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by subiestyle

so does anyone else have zero free play?

Well, if so, not for long.... at least with that clutch disk.....

"Zero" free play would indicate that the clutch mechanism is just barely starting to pull the clutch disk away from the flywheel.

A simple test is to put your car in gear let out on the clutch until it's fully engaged ..... then the rest of the clutch pedal travel, up to its rest point, is "freeplay".

Oh, my .....it's way past ma med time ...... ZZZZZZZ


humfrz

[subiestyle]

i think the definition of free play is being misrepresented here.

ill ask the question another way.

does your clutch pedal have resistance the moment you push down?

[subiestyle]

btw, one thing i did feel that was odd in the car is the spring tensions that bring the clutch pedal up. there isn't a consistent tension that brings the clutch pedal all the way up. the tension gets stronger the higher up the pedal rises.

[AirborneDeth]

Originally Posted by subiestyle

i think the definition of free play is being misrepresented here.

ill ask the question another way.

does your clutch pedal have resistance the moment you push down?

You should have a small amount of free play after you press the clutch in until you feel the 'pressure' of the clutch. Small, as in 1/8 to 1/4" or so.

[Ozzman]

You can verify 100% if your clutch is adjusted safely at the top of it's travel.
Pop the hood and locate the clutch throw out lever/slave cylinder and the clutch master cylinder lever.


Pull/push the throw out lever to compress the clutch slave cylinder, if you can and fluid level rises in the clutch master cylinder resevior your good.


The only reason people say there needs to be play at the top of the travel is so that they can guarantee that the transfer port between the cylinder and resevior in the clutch master cylinder isn't blocked by the piston. If that happens when the clutch fluid expands due to heat it will activate the clutch and cause it to slip and wear prematurely.

[Mikem53]

Originally Posted by subiestyle

what is free play?

I thought it was the small inch of travel from the top of the pedal when you start to feel resistance. So basically there are 2 levels of resistance. The first inch of free play that can be pushed with a finger and then the normal level of resistance of the clutch springs/tension.

my clutch disengages about half way in the pedal.

That's what I feel on mine.. About a half inch of movement before you are actually affecting the linkage as you push down on the clutch.
If you adjust the pedals to lower the grab point, you will end up with more
Free play on top.

[subiestyle]

Originally Posted by Ozzman

You can verify 100% if your clutch is adjusted safely at the top of it's travel.
Pop the hood and locate the clutch throw out lever/slave cylinder and the clutch master cylinder lever.


Pull/push the throw out lever to compress the clutch slave cylinder, if you can and fluid level rises in the clutch master cylinder resevior your good.


The only reason people say there needs to be play at the top of the travel is so that they can guarantee that the transfer port between the cylinder and resevior in the clutch master cylinder isn't blocked by the piston. If that happens when the clutch fluid expands due to heat it will activate the clutch and cause it to slip and wear prematurely.

can you please post a picture of the clutch throw out lever/slave cylinder and the clutch master cylinder lever and the reservoir?