Edit: Added update and a pic (see post below).

Sorry if this topic's been covered. I searched but didn't find anything specific about this issue.

While driving the other day I heard a noise similar to running over some broken metal bits. except I was pretty sure that I didn't drive over anything. Soon afterwards (<1 miles) the clutch pedal suddenly began feeling weird; it wouldn't go down as far as it used to.

Today I took out the slave cylinder and as soon as I took of the boot covering the clutch fork, broken peices of metal fell out. It's pretty hard to see inside, so it's hard to tell what's broken. I checked the factory service manual and it doesn't show much detail around the clutch fork assembly. Is there a cast piece that acts as a link between the fork and the throw out bearing? Has anyone experience a sudden failure of this part?

Fwiw, I bought the car (MY03) last December with 53K miles, and it's now at 56K. Aside from a broken starter which I recently replaced, it hasn't been problematic at all until now.

Thanks.

 

Clutch fork is a pretty solid piece. I'll bet the bits are from the disc or PP.

 

Yeah, that's what I figured. I just didn't know if there was another linkage attached to the fork itself. The broken pieces look like they can from a casting. Either way the trans has to come out now. I don't mind doing that, just wish it wasn't RIGHT NOW. Oh well, at least it's an opp to get a new clutch and flywheel. Thanks for the reply.

 

any updates on this, could have snapped off the boss that the clutch lever sits in. id like to see pics. it would be easy to weld up, if you have someone who can weld aluminum. late Pm me if need be.

 

Cool. Thanks. I should hopefulyl tear it open this weekend. I'll take some pics then. I guess this car has a very direct way of telling me "please get a new clutch NOW!"

 

replying to read the update...

 

did you fix it?

 

not yet. Working on dropping the tranny at the moment. Just too much going on between work, business trip, painting parts of the house, etc. I was almost tempted to take a day off just to work on this. I miss my 9K!

 

Sounds like some spring retainers on the clutch disk have broken. Could be something on the pressure plate as well.

Nothing to do with the fork. You can actually take the fork out by removing the slave cylinder and boot.

 

Mine did something very simialar last week. Ended up that the pivot for the release fork was broken, clutch was fine.