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95 Geo Tracker eats clutch cables?


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ccarter6
New User

Apr 22, 2015, 7:36 AM

Post #1 of 4 (1549 views)
95 Geo Tracker eats clutch cables? Sign In

Hello, I've got a1995 Geo Tracker 1.7 Litre? With over 160000 miles.
We bought it just about two years ago from a local used car dealer. We've already replaced the clutch on it three times. We thought it was just going through clutches really quickly for some reason, because I know I'm not driving it wrong, but then we figured out that it is because the clutch cables become less effective over time. This makes sense on a yearly time line, but I'm talking about the clutch cable being extremely hard to push and snapping 3rd months after putting in a new one.
Recently, we've gotten into the habit of replacing the cable as soon as it starts misbehaving, since it's only a 15 minute fix, but we just can't be spending 10th dollars every month on a clutch cable.
So what exactly happens is that we out a new cable in. It feels right: very easy to push, the proper amount of play, and it obviously engages near the floor. Over time, it gets more difficult to push, the play near the top gets extremely long, and it doesn't have that "thump" at the bottom that makes you sure that it engaged. If we left it it would snap, but we don't let it get to that point anymore. The weird thing is, that upon inspection, the clutch cable we are taking out is immaculate. No kinks, no frays, no clogging. We tried once wiggling it around to make sure and then putting it back in and it was still bad, yet a new clutch cable was okay again. We just can't figure out what it is.
Factors to consider: we have a performance or racing clutch in it now, because that seemed to last longer than the standard one. The car was obviously dropped, perhaps off of a lift, and the frame was welded solid improperly and not straight. The mount for the cable at the cabin is a little off, so one screw doesn't go in all the way, causing the cable to be a little sideways.

Thank you for your help


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 22, 2015, 8:22 AM

Post #2 of 4 (1540 views)
Re: 95 Geo Tracker eats clutch cables? Sign In

? Why is this "screw" a little off on the inside? Made up something or do you know? This should probably get an entire new cable, case and all brackets as clearly eating up clutches it's not releasing the clutch enough or more often the driver but this problem is now more likely.


Not sure. Isn't this the same vehicle as a Suzuki Samurai or like that? Perhaps the exact right new set up is available. This one clearly isn't working out for you IMO,


T



ccarter6
New User

Apr 22, 2015, 1:25 PM

Post #3 of 4 (1530 views)
Re: 95 Geo Tracker eats clutch cables? Sign In

It looks like the hole was drilled sideways, so the screw goes in straight through the cable mount, but when it gets to the wall, it can't go in right. We were talking about just drilling out a new hole, but didn't know if that could be a big enough problem to constitute all of that effort.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 22, 2015, 2:23 PM

Post #4 of 4 (1519 views)
Re: 95 Geo Tracker eats clutch cables? Sign In

YOU are looking at it and I/we don't really suggest messing things up but 3 clutches and this issue so fast doesn't add up to me.


Either that cable can get exhaust heat and stick in case or some screwed up something but it about has to be allowing clutch to slip and you think it's fully engaged and the # of new clutches is either driver doesn't get it (think you do) or another reason and this could be it.


Other is if engine mounts allow too much motion you'll feel that free-play at top of pedal go away ---- that's burning up a clutch as well and YOU aren't "riding" it, it's riding itself for you!


If you can carefully calculate a change and not wreck anything maybe go for it. Otherwise it's hard to believe this ever went into production with that bad a flaw by design.


Funky note: If this is a Suzuki of sorts know that it was also made for "left" or "right" hand drive. Almost everything uses a hydraulic clutch if only it's easier to make a different 'brake' type line than change the whole set up.


Seriously - look at firewall on some of these that show dimples where items would be cut for either side when new to drive it - no joke!


Good luck. Measure twice and cut once as they say if you alter it,


T







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