Stiff Clutch after New Install

[raywe]

Have a 99 C2 Cab with 57K miles. New clutch and flywheel installed about 3 weeks ago ... less than 1K miles since install. When I picked the car up from the shop, the clutch was light and it felt like a new car. About a week or so later, the clutch is getting noticeably more stiff. I'm going to take it back to the shop to have them take a look, but would like any second opinions on possible causes. Could it be related to a poor install or perhaps a coincidental failure of something else that is causing the stiffness?

Thanks!

[CJ_Boxster]

I believe it is normal for the pressure plate to stiffen as the clutch is put through more use.

[1999Porsche911]

If they did not replace the clutch release lever with the new style, this may be causing the problem. Have them pull the TSB 3041.

Edited July 18, 2008 by 1999Porsche911

[raywe]

If they did not replace the clutch release lever with the new style, this may be causing the problem. Have them pull the TSB 3041.

I don't think they replaced the release lever ... I had not discovered this great site before having the clutch replaced, thus didn't know about that TSB. I notice that the TSB discusses the symptom as noise coming from the bell housing ... have people experienced clutch stiffness relating to the release lever issue?

Thanks for the info.

[1999Porsche911]

If they did not replace the clutch release lever with the new style, this may be causing the problem. Have them pull the TSB 3041.

I don't think they replaced the release lever ... I had not discovered this great site before having the clutch replaced, thus didn't know about that TSB. I notice that the TSB discusses the symptom as noise coming from the bell housing ... have people experienced clutch stiffness relating to the release lever issue?

Thanks for the info.

Porsche would NEVER label the TSB as a mechnical failure or they would have to replace all of them on their dime. When I had one of my Porsche clutches replaced, the Indy did not replace the lever, but when I had problems, he replaced it for free (except the $70 in parts) because he said he should have looked at the TSB's before he did the work in the first place.

[raywe]

Follow up on this issue I posted earlier. I have been having some noise from the clutch pedal area, and I assumed it related to the boost spring issue discussed here many times. After a closer look, the noise is coming from the master cylinder, not the spring. I tried lubricating it, but doesn't help. I'm guessing that the friction causing the master cylinder noise is making the clutch feel a little heavier.

[1999Porsche911]

Follow up on this issue I posted earlier. I have been having some noise from the clutch pedal area, and I assumed it related to the boost spring issue discussed here many times. After a closer look, the noise is coming from the master cylinder, not the spring. I tried lubricating it, but doesn't help. I'm guessing that the friction causing the master cylinder noise is making the clutch feel a little heavier.

Take it back and have them properly bleed the system. It may free thiings up.

Edited July 19, 2008 by 1999Porsche911

[wross996TT]

What he^ said.