Helix 4 paddle clutch kit problems

25th November 2012, 17:02

I've fitted my 4 paddle clutch kit, but the bite point is very low, and i'm struggling to get it into gear, I've adjusted the cable to where it should be, would this suggest my clutch cable is too worn for such a clutch?

25th November 2012, 18:08

when you say you have adjusted it to where it should be, have you tightened it up a bit more to bring the biting point up? or just to how it was before

25th November 2012, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamH

when you say you have adjusted it to where it should be, have you tightened it up a bit more to bring the biting point up? or just to how it was before

Both mate, I think I can adjust it a bit more though, I shall try tomorrow

25th November 2012, 20:00

Take a pic of the threaded bar bit and post it up in here so we can see how much its been adjusted

25th November 2012, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackie_2k5

Take a pic of the threaded bar bit and post it up in here so we can see how much its been adjusted

Will do mate

25th November 2012, 21:15

You sure the bearing is seated properly ?

26th November 2012, 17:51

i'm quite confident it did sit right when i put the gearbox on, I think my problem is the gear linkages more than the clutch, as I'm struggling to select gears when the engine is off, I will have to look in the day.

How stiff is a new 4 paddle kit supposed to be?

26th November 2012, 18:54

did you put a little grease in the cups of the linkages when you put them back on?

also are you sure you connected them correctly? had it recently when a friend had problems and one was touching the casing making reverse impossible to engage...

26th November 2012, 19:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamH

did you put a little grease in the cups of the linkages when you put them back on?

also are you sure you connected them correctly? had it recently when a friend had problems and one was touching the casing making reverse impossible to engage...

Nope, i only took them off the gearbox side though, I did check all gears after i connected everything, but after I put the car back on its wheels the problems started, I'll just have to have a look while I get someone to change gear

26th November 2012, 19:17

yeah thats the best bet, but a picture of the thread on the adjustment bolt as blackie said may help us to see how far its been adjusted

26th November 2012, 20:04

26th November 2012, 22:09

That looks like its adjusted to far to me suggesting a problem. Was the clutch you took out worn out. I've had a few that have got heavy on the peddle and bent/snapped the arms that push the release bearing.

27th November 2012, 06:01

Usually it's not the plate that causes problem, but "uprated" covers. The Helix 4 paddle plate with an OE or Valeo cover works just fine and can handle the torque of virtually any atmo engine spec, so the uprated cover is not needed (Suppliers will pretty much insist you take the whole kit though). The uprated cover strains the cable, makes using the clutch harder and can bend the lever.

There are two release bearing thicknesses, you need the thicker of the two.

27th November 2012, 09:33

sorry sandy you are incorrect
the uprated cover increase the capacity by 30% and the pressure plate is made from a different material .
yes for lower powered cars maybe the std cover will work as the plate lifts the torque capacity a little ,but to say its the same is wrong
yes the bite point will change iwth the uprated cover .
If i had to guess I would suspect the clutch arm is bending ,or bent and the leverage ratio is wrong.
yes there are different release brgs ,so that could also be the problem ,but usually that just causes poor feel .
check the arm is not past the 90 degrees to the cable when its at rest --if it is then bent clutch arm or wrong brg

27th November 2012, 21:30

Sandy never said they were the same just an oe one is good enough for most spec cars. Granted they are going to have more pressure and load on the plate but prob only needed for really torquey engines ie turbo'd cars. But back to the lads problem
Get that arm checked and fork on the release bearing.

27th November 2012, 21:34

alexb thought hed get away with just the plate on his tb engine but it slipped

i dont see the point in running a paddle plate and oe cover, the diff wont be much at all, may as well just stay OE and save yourself some money if the spec allows it

27th November 2012, 21:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbob25

Sandy never said they were the same just an oe one is good enough for most spec cars. Granted they are going to have more pressure and load on the plate but prob only needed for really torquey engines ie turbo'd cars. But back to the lads problem
Get that arm checked and fork on the release bearing.

Well, when the arms relaxed, it is in it's normal position, so I don't think its bent, I have adjusted it too far though, the clutch might be fine, it may just be me, I've never felt what a 4 paddle clutch feels like, as for not being able to put it in gear, as I can't put it in gear even with the engine off, I still believe it's the linkages to blame.

Atm i can't check though, I'm in the middle of trying to get the car into my garage so I have proper light, I shall report back once i've had a proper look

cheers.

28th November 2012, 05:45

I don't know the detail of Alex's problems, but there are numerous possible causes of slip, non-OE covers (often re-faced and hence reduced clamp), oil contamination, non-flat or overheated flywheel face, incorrect adjustment etc. We've had alot of problems with the Helix "uprated" covers and none with OE on road and race engines.

As above John, I never said it was the same torque capacity, just that it was adequate for most people, more reliable and nicer to use.

28th November 2012, 08:33

if yuo cannot get a gear with engine off then its not primarly a clutch problem ,but something else

3rd December 2012, 22:29

Update on this, i took the gearbox back out for peace of mind, bearing was in correctly, and the reason the gears felt crap was because the gear linkage bracket on the gearbox was in the wrong place

cheers for all the reply's