1990 Miata Clutch: Adjust or Replace?
Richard Kofler
The service department at a local dealer recommended replacing the clutch plate
(at a cost of ~$1,200!!!).
Can the clutch be adjusted to engage lower without replacing the clutch plate?
A potentially relevant detail: the car has 143,000 miles, mostly on the
highway.
The car has been the most trouble-free car I have owned in my 67 years:
no major repairs since I bought it. The front brakepads were replaced at
120,000;
the rear pads still have 40% left; and it still has the original muffler!
That's why I'm dubious that it needs a new clutch plate.
It's been in the body shop 4 times; nevertheless, it still looks sharp and is as
much fun to drive as ever.
Dick Kofler
Jim Davidson
Um... Are you serious?
It sounds like you're still on the original clutch, at 143,000 miles.
That's impressive. It's not surprising that you need a new clutch now.
Clutches wear out over time, just like brakes. For me, I generally need a
clutch replacement somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 miles, but then I do a
combination of freeway and local driving.
So the answer is, yes, you probably need a new clutch.
--
Jim Davidson
jdavidson @ acm.org
Per K. Nielsen
<kof...@slac.stanford.edu> wrote:
>The clutch on my 1990 Miata engages near the top of the clutch pedal travel.
>The service department at a local dealer recommended replacing the clutch plate
>(at a cost of ~$1,200!!!).
The usual answer would be replacing the slave cylinder, which should
cost considerably less.
Check if it is leaking.
--
Per K. Nielsen
Jim Stuyck
"Richard Kofler" <kof...@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:3D063C78...@slac.stanford.edu...
I just had the clutch on my '90 replaced, at 124,000 miles. It
WAS necessary, slipping at low revs in all gears. But I paid
only $400 for a complete job, including the clutch (flywheel
did not need resurfacing). The "secret" was that an ASE
mechanic, working at home, did the job. So "look around."
Matter of fact, Pep Boys quoted me a price of $415 plus
tax but I decided to go with the other fellow.
As to the suggestion that the slave cylinder may be the
culprit, I'm dubious. If the fluid level in the reservoir is
OK, then the slave isn't leaking. By the way, I replaced
my slave cylinder myself at about 110,000 miles. It leaked
a little at first but, over time, that got much worse. When
I replaced it I noticed that there was significant corrosion
such that any attempt to "polish" the bore would not have
been successful.
Jim Stuyck
Alan Baker
Richard Kofler <kof...@slac.stanford.edu> wrote:
>The clutch on my 1990 Miata engages near the top of the clutch pedal travel.
>The service department at a local dealer recommended replacing the clutch
>plate
>(at a cost of ~$1,200!!!).
I'd say you're dealer is hosing you.
As luck would have it, I had the clutch on my 1990 replaced just 4 weeks
ago.
My invoice shows $338.71 for the clutch kit, $266.40 for the labour to
remove and replace the clutch, $42.95 to machine the flywheel, $29.71
for a new slave cylinder, and mabe $15 in miscellaneous bits (pilot
bearing and labour)
What's that work out to?
$ 692.77
Canadian dollars.
So you tell me how yours can possibly cost $1,200 US (I'm assuming
you're in California), 'cause I can't figure it out!
>
>Can the clutch be adjusted to engage lower without replacing the clutch plate?
>A potentially relevant detail: the car has 143,000 miles, mostly on the
>highway.
>
>The car has been the most trouble-free car I have owned in my 67 years:
>no major repairs since I bought it. The front brakepads were replaced at
>120,000;
>the rear pads still have 40% left; and it still has the original muffler!
>That's why I'm dubious that it needs a new clutch plate.
>
>It's been in the body shop 4 times; nevertheless, it still looks sharp and is
>as
>
>much fun to drive as ever.
>
>Dick Kofler
>
>
--
Alan Baker
Vancouver, British Columbia
"If you raise the ceiling four feet, move the fireplace from that wall to that
wall, you'll still only get the full stereophonic effect if you sit in the
bottom of that cupboard."
Luke Martin
Luke
gedwin
one on my 91, one on my 96. Both at between 75000 and 100000 miles. You
start to lose the pedal height, until eventually it ends up at the floor.
And no leaks. The seals get worn and the fluid travels to the other side,
but the dust sheild keeps it from leaking on the ground. I have never had to
replace a clutch. Peel the dust sheild back and if fluid pours out, replace
or rebuild the cylinder.
I have found no way to prevent this, even flushing the hyd. system every
20000 does not help, it's just wear of the seals. Last time I tried, I
couldn't get the rebuild kit and had to buy the cylinder. About $75 Kit was
like $15. Good luck. G.
"Richard Kofler" <kof...@slac.stanford.edu> wrote in message
news:3D063C78...@slac.stanford.edu...
Iva
> Note about Miata slave cylinders. They can go, AND not leak. I
had 2 go bad,
> one on my 91, one on my 96. Both at between 75000 and 100000
miles. You
> start to lose the pedal height, until eventually it ends up at
the floor.
> And no leaks. The seals get worn and the fluid travels to the
other side,
> but the dust sheild keeps it from leaking on the ground. I have
never had to
> replace a clutch. Peel the dust sheild back and if fluid pours
out, replace
> or rebuild the cylinder.
Absolutely. The slave cylinder I replaced a couple months ago
had no leaks at all. My mechanic & I both thought it was the
master since there appeared to be some fluid around there.
Driving without any clutch during rush hour is NOT a fun thing to
do.**
Iva & Belle.)
'90B Classic Red.)
#3 winkin' Miata
**Okay, so rush hour around here isn't like NYC or Phila but
still............
<g>
RoysBMWs
awool...@gmail.com
> In article <3D063C78...@slac.stanford.edu>,
> Richard Kofler <kof...@slac.stanford.edu> wrote:
>
> >The clutch on my 1990 Miata engages near the top of the clutch pedal travel.
> >The service department at a local dealer recommended replacing the clutch
> >plate
> >(at a cost of ~$1,200!!!).
>
> I'd say you're dealer is hosing you.
>
> As luck would have it, I had the clutch on my 1990 replaced just 4 weeks
> ago.
>
> My invoice shows $338.71 for the clutch kit, $266.40 for the labour to
> remove and replace the clutch, $42.95 to machine the flywheel, $29.71
> for a new slave cylinder, and mabe $15 in miscellaneous bits (pilot
> bearing and labour)
>
> What's that work out to?
>
> $ 692.77
>
> Canadian dollars.
>
> So you tell me how yours can possibly cost $1,200 US (I'm assuming
> you're in California), 'cause I can't figure it out!
> >Can the clutch be adjusted to engage lower without replacing the clutch plate?
> >A potentially relevant detail: the car has 143,000 miles, mostly on the
> >highway.
> >
> >The car has been the most trouble-free car I have owned in my 67 years:
> >no major repairs since I bought it. The front brakepads were replaced at
> >120,000;
> >the rear pads still have 40% left; and it still has the original muffler!
> >That's why I'm dubious that it needs a new clutch plate.
> >
> >It's been in the body shop 4 times; nevertheless, it still looks sharp and is
> >as
> >
> >much fun to drive as ever.
> >
> >Dick Kofler
> >
> >
>
> --
> Alan Baker
> Vancouver, British Columbia
> "If you raise the ceiling four feet, move the fireplace from that wall to that
> wall, you'll still only get the full stereophonic effect if you sit in the
> bottom of that cupboard."
You were even a douchebag way back then!!!!
UNFUCKING BELIEVABLE.
The consummate Luzer.
FUCKING AMAZING!!!