heavy clutch- any solution?

I just wandered if there is a way of making the ferrari 348 clutch lighter on the foot?

 

A 12 month gym membership!

 

1. Bleed the clutch fluid. If that doesn't fix it, you probably need to replace the clutch. When mine was worn it was pretty stiff. After I replaced it the pedal feel was significantly lighter...

 

Buy a Miata.

 

+100 on the clutch bleed. It made a big difference to my car. Bleed the brakes while you are at it - (same fluid)

 

Those Miata clutches are pretty darn hard too, bucko...........

 

which bolt do i need to undo to proceed to bleed the clutch ? what clutch liquid do you recommend?

 

Why would bleeding the clutch have anything to do with the effort required to operate the pedal?

I think the effort has to do with the length of the pedal (mechanical advantage/leverage), the strength of the pedal return spring, the bore of the clutch master cylinder, and the strength of the springs on the pressure plate. And of course the effort would increase if the pedal is binding on its cross shaft, or if the release bearing is binding on its housing.

 

I think the Civics are lighter

 

+1... My Civic is super light....

 

One other factor is the friction between the piston+seals and the bore of the slave and/or master cylinder -- if it's really gummy/funky, fresh fluid can help dissolve the deposits and decrease the drag there. But your point is well-taken -- many other (more likely) mechanical factors that can cause high pedal effort, and, if changing the fluid really helps, you'd have to consider yourself very lucky

 

I dont think I have ever come across that before.

Yep yep. Thats it and nothing can be done about it.

 

Here are some quick pics I took the other day when I bled my clutch and brakes in my 348.

The fluid has not been changed since last major in 2003. It wasnt full of crud in the master cylinder resivior (lucky), but the fluid was black and smelt nasty.

The clutch fluid shares the same fluid that is in the brake master cylinder. The clutch bleed nipple is on the bottom of the clutch pumpkin.
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+1 on the bleeding, or possibly needing a new clutch.
Just had my clutch done (360) and one thing I was not prepared for was how light the peddle became. Nearly put my foot through the floor leaving the mechanic!

And yes, the clutch and brakes were both fully bled and fluid replaced.

 

Drive a pre-1979 308 for a month and your 348 clutch will be light as a feather.

 

+1

 

Hehe!

 

I'm not sure why bleeding made a difference but Speedysam bled his and it made a huge difference. I drove it before and told him that it was probably time for a new clutch. He went home, bought a speed bleeder, and got all of the old fluid out. The next time I drove it is was considerably lighter. I agree, I was scratching my head on that one, but seeing is believing... Unless he secretly replaced his clutch and did not tell anyone... LOL.... Sneaky....

 

Yeah, thats what REALLY happened!

 

I put a titlon carbon-carbon clutch in my 308. It's good for 800+ ft-lb torque and probably less pedal pressure than a civic. Really nice.

some what related is my old chevy pickup. When the clutch would get worn in that it wouldn't slip but the pedal pressure got so higher I that I simply couldn't push the pedal. Replaced the clutch and it was back to factory easy.....I guess the linkage ratio gets screwed up as it wears.

 

Altering your driving position can affect which leg muscle group predominate in pedal use and have a positive result too.

 

Hey Pap!!! Your reservoir is on the wrong side of the car mate. That must be why bleeding didn't help your pedal any...

 

In the southern hemisphere.

 

And run around in a Diablo for a few weeks and you'll be butter clutching it for sure.