Ok it isn't actually the trans and I am assuming it is the clutch hydraulics but I was out for a drive today and shifting has become almost impossible with the car running. You have to force it in and get a very pronounced clunk from the shifter end. of the cables. Turn the car off and the gears shift smoothly. Please tell me it only needs bleeding or maybe some work on the slave cylinder. Any ideas?

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The Fiero Shop - International | CFOG-International

It only needs bleeding or maybe some work on the slave cylinder. - there feel better- Also check for "slop" in the pedal to M/C linkage.

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SC3800

yea i would check the slave, jncomutt just ripped his right of the bracket last night becuase we did the auto to man swap and the regular bracket for the 4:10 4 speed was modified, i guess it couldn't handle the pressure when he banged a gear out.

I would try the easier first..
Try adjusting the linkage..

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'85 SE - '86 Fastback SE - '99 Chevy K-1500 Z-71 - '00 HD 1200XL Sportster

Ed Parks is a well-respected Fiero guru and runs a repair/restoration/modification facility for Fieros.

Check out this page from his website, I think you'll find it addresses your problem.
http://www.thefierofactory.com/clutch.htm

Good Luck,
G2

Personally, I'd try V8 Archies clutch bleeding method first. If it's just air in the system, this will get rid of it.

Check the travel of the slave cyl rod when you push the clutch in. If I remember correctly it should move about 3/4 of an inch.

I had a problem that ended up being a hole in the fluid line from the master to the slave. To check this out.....simply gravity bleed the system.....open the slave bleeder and keep pouring fluid thru until you've put about a pint thru it. If you have a good pedal for the first few strokes then you definitely have hydralic problems. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Phil

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GTDude
OVER 25 years GM experience

quote Originally posted by AusFiero: Ok ....... Any ideas?

The first thing anyone should do that is having Clutch issues is to check the static height of the Clutch pedal in relationship to the Brake pedal. It should be noticably higher than the brake pedal .. about 3/4 of an inch. Any less and you will never achieve a full stroke from the master cylinder piston .. no mater how many times you bleed the system. And then check for any slop in the bushings/ banjo before the Master cylinder piston starts to move.

I'd check to see what kind of slave cylinder is installed. It does sound like air in the lines, but if it has one of those cheap cast iron slaves you can bleed it till the cows come home and you won't be any closer to solving the problem.

The factory slave cylinder is "pained" black (hard black plastic type coating) while the aftermarket slaves are "naked" cast iron. These cast iron units are notoriously crappy and have weak seals.......you'll need to buy/install a new GM (AC Delco) slave to truly solve the problem.

BTW......obviously do the simple things first, like bleed the system, check the clutch pedal, etc., but if you go through a full pint of brake fluid trying to bleed the system you can be assured your slave (and/or master) cylinder is junk.

Well I got up this morning and the problem is gone. Go figure. I checked the travel in the system and that I have a metal pedal etc. I am assuming I had an air bubble in the system that has cleared itself. The slave is a painted black GM one. I will see how it goes and if it does it again I will fully bleed the system as per Archies instructions.

Good news on the slave! At least it's a "real" one.

Try giving it a good bleed......that should help it out quite a bit.

You might want to just try cracking the bleeder screw an dlet it gravity bleed for a minute or so......you'd be surprised at how much that helps (aside from giving it a full bleed).

Good luck.

BTW......how many miles/kilometers are on this GT?

It has almost 83,000 miles on it.

See if it happens again when the car is *hot*.
A friend of mine had a clogged cat that got the exhaust system so hot that the fluid in the slave cylinder boiled. Had no clutch release until it cooled down. Not saying that's the case with yours, but if it's lacking in the power department, it might be something to look into.
Is there supposed to be a heat shield around the slave?

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Raydar

I'm not the fig plucker.
I'm the fig plucker's son.
But I'll pluck figs
'Til the fig plucker comes.

quote Originally posted by mrfiero: The factory slave cylinder is "pained" black (hard black plastic type coating) while the aftermarket slaves are "naked" cast iron. These cast iron units are notoriously crappy and have weak seals.......

While this may be true for the 85's and ups? The Indy has a "naked" cast iron slave. I'm almost certain all 84s do.

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1984 Indy Fiero
4spd
Bone Stock w/44k miles ( and creeping.. :( )

quote Originally posted by Raydar: A friend of mine had a clogged cat that got the exhaust system so hot that the fluid in the slave cylinder boiled.

Over time, your hydraulic fluid can absorb water from the atmosphere; that will lower its boiling point. Try bleeding the system to purge the old fluid.

I don't know if that will work, but it sounds good to me. Couldn't hurt.

quote Originally posted by TheMasterRat: While this may be true for the 85's and ups? The Indy has a "naked" cast iron slave. I'm almost certain all 84s do.

You are half right......the '84 Fiero does have a "naked" slave cylinder, but it is aluminum, not cast iron.

Hey Aus. Remember the 62 Vette you drove a while back. Well, that car never had hydraulic clutch problems. Go figure. (OK, So it don't use hydraulics). I have been plagued with a clutch relaese problem in Jennifers 86 Cp. for a while. Put a new clutch in about 8,000 miles ago and it really never released well. It had a bent clutch pedal too and it was a steel pedal. Anyway, I tried everything including calculating the diameter and travel of the master in relation to the size of the slave (they are a digffferent diameter). Long story short, the slave travels almost 1" as it should but no release. I think I may have to check the pressure plate. Wanna help??? In your case, I think you sucked air in from the slave cyl. If it keeps coming and going, I would pull the slave and rebuild it. I have had good luck on my cars doing this in the past (and you know I have more then a few of these cars. LOL). Kits are availavle but sometimes, the cylinder is just dirty and you can reuse the seals. Many people will laugh but if they don't look bad, I don't replace them. I learned this from my buddy "skitime". Good luck and the Vette is still here waiting for a driver. LOL

Jim Gilbert

My car did that too and it was impossible to downshift after being on the highway from 5th to 4th. Of course you don't wanna hear this but my flywheel had broken and was breaking off the tack welds on the tranny. It could be a possibility that the teeth on the flywheel are busted. That's what was wrong with mine and I got a new slave and master and clutch. Might want to watch it. See ya.

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1987 GT 5 spd: 2.8L
(15.57 @ 87mph)
1988 Formula 5 spd: 3.4
(15.56 @ 84mph)