Fork off

[davevr6car 34]

Has anyone ever tried fitting a hydraulic release bearing. There's a good few universal options available. It would also do away with having to do any adjustments.

[Chillidoggy 4,466]

I used a hydraulic release bearing on my Dax Cobra for many years. Very good piece of kit, although the installation was a bit of a pain, having to screw in a long, threaded tube when the engine and box were mated up. Once fitted, it did away with the problems of the previously very heavy clutch pedal.

 

I wouldn't want to have to start designing an arrangement from first principles, though I would certainly consider using one that was ready to go. The McLeod release bearing I bought was specifically designed for the Chevy I was using.

[Vulcan Grey 251]

no on hydraulic release bearing... looks up "corvette clutch dust" in google. 

 

The heat and dust environment isn't good for a hydraulic cylinder.  Better to have it on the outside of the bell housing.

[Chillidoggy 4,466]

Had a look at my clutch fork earlier. I gave it some crack detection but found nothing. I smoothed it down a little, and painted it. The thing I did notice was a lot of rust at the adjuster end, and I can imagine old forks being affected by that. I also think it's not forged, rather some kind of cast steel, but not iron. Not that it matters, really. It's a shame they didn't continue the U-shaped profile to the end, though.

[jonwat 449]

It's a shame they didn't continue the U-shaped profile to the end, though.

If I remember correctly, mine broke bang in the middle.

[Chillidoggy 4,466]

Maybe the manufacturing process is not what it should be, Jon? When I was smoothing my clutch fork down, the casting didn't appear to be particularly high quality. I still wonder if the rust thing is a problem, too. Ideally, they should be forged steel. In my opinion, anyway.

[glynherron 9]

My clutch fork has lasted 62,000 miles, and is still intact (I am assuming it's the original, as I don't see any past bills for a new one). That said, given the track record of the item in question, one never knows when, or if, it might break. I think I shall crack detect it, and do a bit of light polishing to relieve any possible areas of stress. That might be a worthwhile exercise, and I will do so before putting it back again.

As for whether it's worth having an improved fork manufactured, as usual it'll be down to cost, and how many members would be willing to stump up their hard-earned, I suppose.

Note for Stimpy: While searching earlier this year, there were no S4s clutch covers available anywhere, so I ended up with an S4s flywheel, drilled to suit the S4 clutch cover bolt pattern. This means I can use either the S4, or S4s clutch. It also means I can use the S4 release bearing, rather than the horrendously-priced £285 S4s version.

Ian, have you run this clutch yet? Any slippage? Did you leave the step in the flywheel?

[Stimpy 14]

Update.

 

 

I've been hit with lumps of bad news over the last few day 1)A disabling chest infection and  2) redundancy.  

Things are not well in the humphreys family!  I think that's an understatement 

 

Anyway -I had a voicemail message from Taff, which i noticed at 7.30 pm

 

I really wish people would simply say 'it's gonna cost....'

 

The message is "........[intro's/formalities   etc].....It's not fantastic news I'm afraid"

 

So my question is based upon very little information (I'm afraid).  I'm calling on your collective ideas about possible cost, please, that could relate to 'not fantastic'.

 

You may remember that the clutch on my car is technically 'shagged'

 

I'm trying to think of 'what could be'

 

So here are my worse-case-scearios:-

 

1) Replacement G/Box.

2) Replacement Engine.  (can't see a relation but I'm covering all angles 

 

So - can I ask your collective brains - how much should i expect to pay for 1) and how much should I expect for 2).?

 

I can't see how '2' would be a factor in this but I'm searching for a full worst case scenario (as you can imagine with no income whatsoever).

 

I confess to being a tad worried.

 

Cheers all

[mr.oogieboogie 121]

Chin up. I was made redundant. A couple of years ago. Got out there had a new job in a couple of weeks which paid more than my last one. Been promoted and had x2 wage rises so i now earn 10k+ over the job i was made redundant from. If the problem is going to cost. Put it on hold until the job side is sorted out.

All the best

[Stimpy 14]

Thanks for that info - I'll ask the question of if they are happy to keep hold of it until the cash is there.

 

Kerry is hsving  a bonus next month and so (apparently, lets see) am I - but i won't bet on it.

 

 

I'm just wondering how much would be a maximum (2k, 4k, 8k) without any information except gut feeling.

 

I will admit to being upset and scared - I realise that doesn't make me a 'man' but right now I don't give a f....!

 

Thanks for your story of redundancy paying off - I'm hoping I can follow suit

[ramjet 1,092]

The clutch being gone should not require either a new gearbox or a new engine. Wait until you have the news. Not worth worrying about until then. You now have more pressing concerns.

[CHANGES 1,289]

Stephen,

 

Don't get over concerned on the Esprit, this sort of issue may be new to you but is

old hat to those who know them...   An experienced Esprit man should be able to

evaluate your problem thoroughly, provide a solution and the costs involved without

dramatics.  It basic mechanics to the trade..

There is no reason why the box should be damaged if it was fine before... The thrust

bearing disintegration in pic's I have seen a few times.. This has two causes.. 

One of these would make me check the back lash on the crank, If that is fine then its a 

simple basic fix... fit new or recon parts job done... No dramatics.. 

 

The clutch fork issue is a strange one with no consistency on failure. Some last 100k miles

and still going, others .. well.!!! ...It would be interesting to get a batch reference on the failed

units to see if there is any connection..

 

On the job front... I wish you well on your hunt for a new position... And always be positive...

Remember to Concentrate on the solution not the problem.. FOCUS.,...   good luck...

 

Dave 

[Trevsked 771]

in answer to your question in rough figures I would say £6k for the engine and a S/H gearbox maybe £1500.00

 

Trevor.

[Chillidoggy 4,466]

Ian, have you run this clutch yet? Any slippage? Did you leave the step in the flywheel?

 

No, I haven't run it yet, the car's still in bits, I'm afraid! It is progressing however.

 

I bought the flywheel from Dave (Changes) who's posted above, already drilled for the S4 clutch cover, and had it surface ground, retaining the step. I think you need to retain it whether it's an S4 or S4s flywheel.

 

Stimpy - So sorry to hear about your redundancy, and I hope you get yourself sorted on the job front. Forget about the car, it's not important, and in any case it seems to me that your clutch issues can be solved. for what it's worth, I don't think it's your engine, or gearbox. But you would do well to listen carefully to what the specialist Taff, or those here, are telling you, an take the advice. It's a mechanical piece of kit, it's nothing special.

[Stimpy 14]

Thanks so much for the best wishes, truly appreciated - shows the 'human' side in everyone when you put the car arguments aside.

Sorry if it looked like i was 'fishing for sympathy' but I think I needed to explain the situation as it sort of effects my 'pessimist' approach (as well as financial issues)

 

yep, there's this grey cloud hanging over our house .

 

 

Looks kinda weird on a sunny day half a mile away.

 

 

I had a call from Taff today (well Kerry did - I have a chest infection, ulcerative colitis and no voice - funny how these things all come at once isn't it?)

Anyway - the 'bad news '  seems less  bad than first meant .  He's sorting things out so that an S4 clutch and associated bits fit in place of the S4s now.

 

Apparently the choice was to send the current unit off to be repaired (and hope for it to comes back before 2020) or go the S4 route.

 

Simple question really.

Not that it matters but I will never take her on the track - and even then, the tolerances MUST allow 300hp through an S4 clutch.  Perhaps  

 

 

Gimme my 'sprit back!!!  I wan't good news!!!!

[cbclotus 521]

Hi Stimpy .Sorry to hear about you job loss. I am sure some thing will turn up.Good luck getting your car fixed.And that you are feeling better soon ....Mike

[Stimpy 14]

Cheers Mate !   Much appreciated  

[Stimpy 14]

I WANT MY CAR BACK!

 

Has anyone seen how nice this long break is (well, permanently in my case).

 

THIS IS ESPRIT WEATHER AND LOVE IT AS  I MAY, THE STAG DOESN'T CUT IT FOR DAYS LIKE TODAY!

 

(shhh - sorry for shouting)

[Stimpy 14]

Ok - after that fit of bipolar (for which I apologise)....

 

Does anyone have any pointers/recommendations/gotchas/advice for using S4 parts (clutch in particular) on a S4s?

 

If you do have any ideas then please pass them on.

 

I would expect Taff will know what he is doing but you never know and here is the community for this.

 

People can forget things too - Taff forgot the as well as the switch for low coolant it also performs the task of lighting up the warning sign for over heating.

 

No-one us perfect.  Except me. 

 

I'm the the direct opposite.

[BigErch 21]

Hi, the clutch release fork just broke on my 1998 GT3.

I'll phone around tomorrow to see if I get one from the usual lotus parts dealers but has anyone sourced one recently and where from?

Is there a write-up anywhere to describe how to replace these?

cheers Archie

[Vulcan Grey 251]

Hi, the clutch release fork just broke on my 1998 GT3.

I'll phone around tomorrow to see if I get one from the usual lotus parts dealers but has anyone sourced one recently and where from?

Is there a write-up anywhere to describe how to replace these?

cheers Archie

 

Archie,

 

http://www.lotus-spare-parts.co.uk/buy/esprit/clutch/