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F40 Clutch feel question

Discussion in '288GTO/F40/F50/Enzo/LaFerrari/F80' started by RufMD, May 22, 2006.

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  1. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
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    Jan 31, 2004
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    #1 RufMD, May 22, 2006
    I don't know if this is just in my head, but here goes...I have driven my CGT alot lately, and it has a stiff clutch...my F40 clutch seems lighter to me lately..

    The clutch throw on my F40 feels lighter for the 1st half of its travel, almost like it has lost its spring tension. The car engages fine, shifts fine, but it appears that the engagement point is a little lower than before. The car has not been abused, and the symptoms arose after the car had been sitting for about 2 weeks.

    I think it is a small pressure loss somewhere, or maybe it just needs to be bled ? There are no fluid leaks anywhere that I can see, and the car has not been abused with burnouts or clutch riding...

    I think I'll start with a simple clutch bleed...anyone here done it on an F40 ?

    thanks...
     
  2. 410SA

    410SA F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
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    #2 410SA, May 23, 2006
    My F40 clutch feels extremely light and with a very linear takeup. After I've driven the CGT the F40 clutch seems like something on a Kia.
     
  3. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

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    #3 davehelms, May 23, 2006
    The F40 has a problem with the magnesium bellhousing that contains the clutch slave cylinder. The alloy used produces gas bubbles that are trapped in the slave cylinder. The bellhousings require removal and coating to prevent this from happening. From memory I believe that I used the Tagnite coating process (Mil-Spec process used on helicopter castings) on the last one and was quite happy with the results. Simple bleed out will fix for the time being.

    Dave
     
  4. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
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    #4 BMW.SauberF1Team, May 23, 2006
    Ah...the F40 clutch. It's the heaviest clutch I've ever felt. Simon kept telling me otherwise, but maybe I just have chicken legs. :D
     
  5. dan360

    dan360 F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2003
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    #5 dan360, May 23, 2006
    You should drive one of the early TVR V8 cars, the first time I drove one I thought I'd pressed the brake pedal with my left foot...
     
  6. Simon^2

    Simon^2 F1 World Champ

    Oct 17, 2005
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    #6 Simon^2, May 23, 2006
    F40 clutches are quite light, comparitively. Both 512TR's I've driven have signif heavier clutch, than my f40.
     
  7. davehelms

    davehelms F1 Rookie

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    #7 davehelms, May 23, 2006
    Thats how I feel it as well. Very nice pedle effort.

    Dave
     
  8. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
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    #8 RufMD, May 23, 2006
    Thanks, I'll try the bleed and see if that improves for now..
     
  9. RufMD

    RufMD F1 Rookie
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    #9 RufMD, May 25, 2006
    Does anyone know where the clutch bleed valve is located ? Which part of the bellhousing ?

    I figure the pedal feel should improve after a bleed, if not, its off to the service man !
     
  10. F40LMGTC

    F40LMGTC Formula 3

    Mar 15, 2005
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    #10 F40LMGTC, May 26, 2006
    Drive a 512 Boxer, then you'll know about heavy clutches.
     
  11. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

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    #11 BMW.SauberF1Team, May 26, 2006
    How would you say the standard F40 clutch compared to the F40LM? That is of course if they are different.
     

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