How do you know if your clutch is shot?

does it hook right up when starting out in first or does it delay a bit when you let off the clutch?

it could be something else if the clutch engagement is fine but rather a transmission problem maybe

what about any smells when starting off in first?

but either way, you want it to be the clutch and not something else.

 

My symptom was when up to speed on the freeway in 6th gear you could munch the throttle but the car wouldn't accelerate much. It was a pretty obvious feeling that the clutch was slipping.

 

You could have a shifter bushing problem. Numerous threads on that and yours should be about ready at that mileage. Late model Ferrari clutches on three pedal cars usually become very heavy effort as they wear and the geometry goes non-optimal.

Good news is the fix for the shifter bushing is not that expensive and there are near-permanent fixes with an aftermarket bushing.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

As Taz wrote, I seriously doubt also a shifter bushing issue or maybe also the cables which aren't ligned up anymore. I had this issue on my manual F430 and the entire shifter/cables/connection has been changed.

There is a little trick that we all use to find out if the clutch has reached his end of life. Let the car idling and make sure you've enough space in front of the car. Press the clutch pedal, shift in first gear and depress the clutch pedal at once without hesitation. The engine should immediately stall. If it doesn't and the car is "jumping" a bit forwards, your clutch is slipping and need to be replaced.

 

Hi Matt, as others have advised, it sounds like you may have an easily addressed problem with a bushing in your gear lever..... here's the thread - if you're handy and have the tools it's a pretty handy job, taking only an hour or two.......http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=249934&highlight=bushing

Alternatively it could be that your shift cables need a little tweaking but personally I'd probably look at the bushing first.

Good luck!

 

Yep, id go bush first!

 

I thought everybody would have learnt by now never to go BUSH first? Lol....kidding. Yes, as much as I hate the character, Bush first for this case.

 

Pap was NOT referring to the ex-pres.

 

Yes just one busing. Hill Engineering make a replacement made of metal as opposed to the OEM plastic one - I'm sure there's a link to it in the thread I posted above.

Yes you can do it yourself - the biggest problem you'll face is keeping your hands clean and preventing any nasty greasy stains on your seats or carpet. You'll enjoy the chore and will have the satisfaction of having done it yourself.

 

I've never worked on a car before other than a couple of oil changes and other minor stuff....not to be an alarmist, but I'm "experienced" enough to know I wouldn't be comfortible using my ferrari as a starter car to tinker...It's just me, but I'd have my mechanic do it.

Not sure the popping the clutch thing is the best way to determine clutch life (the procedure seems about as appealing as scratching fingernails down a chalkboard to me)- the best may be to get to an even speed in 6th at about 4,000 rpm, then floor the gas and see if the tach jumps up before acceleration- a tiny bump may be nothing but the full throttle application, but a 500-1,000 rpm jump is the clutch slipping...

 

Tell us more about this....

 

Good to hear Matt!!!

 

Matt- I love a happy ending. Especially one that does not cost too much.

Taz
Terry Phillips

 

Indeed . Best way is to get car in gear closest to 1:1 ratio (5th in the 430), close to peak torque (4K is perfect), and floor the gas pedal momentarily while watching the tach. If tach is steady, there's no slip.

Replied to the bushing DIY thread. Want to do this on my 430 as a precaution, as it's only a matter of time before shifting problems arise. Hopefully somebody who has done it can post any 'gotchas'; otherwise I'll do it . Will try to do it with the shifter in place, as I don't want to weaken the socket fit underneath the lever. Only issue I might have is the 'punch' for the pin, but I can improvise with a paper clip held in small vise grips. Just need to order the part first. Ricambi, I guess? Thanks.

 

That's a very good advise, thanks JC. Will try it out to check how strong my clutch still is.

 

Even better, place the car in 5th gear, park brake pulled on tight and slowly let the clutch out with some revs like you are taking off.

If the engine stalls, your clutch is still good. If the engine doesnt stall, your clutch is worn out.

Simple test you can do, be sure to do it out in the open and do not have anyone or anything in front of the car while performing this test.

 

Do you mean Press the clutch, shift into first and LIFT the clutch pedal at once without hesitation???

 

Glad you got that sorted out.

Pap always goes bush first, kinda like head first!

 

Yes I do, just lift the clutch pedal without revving. If you find this to be a bit in the hard way, you can also use JC's or PAP348's advise which works very well too