Slipping clutch; xflow w T9 5 spd.

[Ross]

Clutch slips in 5th gear at 4k to 5k RPM.....have no slippage in lower gears. To repair is it necessary to pull engine and transmission as a unit or can you disconnect and drop transmission from bottom (05 Caterham Dedion classic)? Bob

[scannon]

I have an '04 Caterham, I assume your '05 would be the same setup. It is impossible to pull the transmission without removing the engine first. There is a welded in mount under the transmission that will prevent you from dropping the trans out the bottom.

 

Not sure about the crossflow engine but with my Miata engine I found it easier to pull the engine first, then remove the transmission through the engine compartment.

[bsimon]

As Skip says, engine out.

 

You can leave the gear box in place and slip the engine back in with the new clutch bits. I don't like doing this as it actually creates more finger smashing opportunities and less chance of spotting other problems such as leaks and knackered Hookes joints. (the original Caterham joints are made of cheese)

 

Engine out is a one man chore that takes between 3-5 hours, depending on how many things you forget to disconnect.:ack:

 

You'll need a helper going back together to get the prop shaft slip joint lined into the gearbox. Have a new exhaust gasket on hand and plenty of beer.:cheers:

[Ian7]

  Ross said:

Clutch slips in 5th gear at 4k to 5k RPM.....have no slippage in lower gears....

 

hang on a second before you pull the engine;

seems odd to me that the clutch slips in high gear, but not in the lower gears where the torque load is much higher;

what exactly are you sensing and/or seeing?

 

(4000rpm in 5th is pushing 100mph I imagine...?)

[scannon]

Clutches will slip in the higher gears before they will slip in the lower gears. The standard test I use when buying a car is to get the car going about 45 - 50 mph in top gear, put in the clutch and rev to about 5,000 rpm and pop the clutch. If the engine drops to the appropriate speed immediately the clutch is good, if it either holds the higher rpm or slowly drops to the lower rpm the clutch is on its way out.

 

The engine can only deliver X amount of torque no matter what gear the transmission is in. The transmission (and differential) multiply the the torque delivered to the wheels to get the car moving.

[Ross]

Thanks for the comments...did more testing (driving)....is slipping when aggressive throttle applied in lower gears...will pull the trans & engine as a unit since I' d like to replace clutch cable with hydraulics.

Bob