Clutch Pedal Problem

[Stray]

I'm having some problems with my gearbox/clutch/pedal.

I was driving and the clutch pedal dropped away from my foot maybe 2-3cm. The clutch is still there but I have to push the pedal right up against the firewall to disengage it. I've tried to bleed the system and I'm certain there is no air in there, also replaced the slave cyclinder. The clutch doesn't feel as heavy as it used to be, I'd say it's 30% lighter right up until just before I get to the firewall then it's about the same as it used to be.

It's an OS Giken twin plate in a S1 R33 GTST and I'm totally stuck for ideas, the clutch works fine and doesn't slip at all but it's very hard to make it disengage so I've kept the car off the road until I can get it sorted out.

2 things I have noticed:

The bracket that holds the pedal in seems to be flexing sideways when I put the clutch pedal in, on further inspection I noticed there was 2 small 'tabs' holding the bracket together on the side closest to the transmission, these little tabs have broken though I don't know if it's related or not.

Secondly when I push the clutch in there is a fair ammount of movement of the actual master clyinder in the engine bay, it flexes out a good 3cm.

If it makes any difference the pedal dropped away while I was driving the car after changing the gearbox oil, I wasn't driving hard just giving the gearbox oil a chance to spread around and do it's thing. Any help is much appreciated guys I really can't afford to put it into a shop so soon after Christmas.

[blind_elk]

The bracket that holds the pedal in seems to be flexing sideways when I put the clutch pedal in, on further inspection I noticed there was 2 small 'tabs' holding the bracket together on the side closest to the transmission, these little tabs have broken though I don't know if it's related or not.

That's your problem - the pedal box has collapsed. You will need to remove it and get it welded back together, or replace it.

[Stray]

Okay, is it a good idea to replace it with one of those heavy duty ones I've seen? I think they're Nismo, would all the mounts be exactly the same etc?

[PLYNX]

This happened to me as well ! The clutch pedal box is held basically together with spot welds. Just take it out and weld it back together and go around the seams as well ! Works a treat ! Then get yourself a brake master cylinder stopper to stop the firewall flex. Nobody makes, as far as I know, a clutch master cylinder stopper ( Ive built a custom one for myself that stops all firewall flex )

Hope this helps

[Liz]

lol.. this happened to me a few weeks back!

A good thing my mechanic did along with welding up the broken bit is do it twice, then do the other side just so you don't have to deal with the same problem in a few months!

[Stray]

Cool thanks for the help guys hopefully I can get it fixed today.

[Ronin]

Exact same thing happened to me the other day aswell, damn clutches.