Clutch issues on 92 Explorer

[lune713]

I have had to change out my clutch almost every year. This will be the 3rd one in 4 years. Why would they be wearing out so much? I don't grind my gears and I've owned other standard vehicles without ever changing the clutch. It's a 1992. I bought it from my brother who said he had similar issues with the clutch also.

 

[RangerX]

What makes it need to be replaced? Hard shifting? Slipping? Or what?

Welcome to the site.

 

[unclemeat]

Has the flywheel been machined or replaced during your clutch replacements?

 

[lune713]

No hard shifting. I'll just notice that there's no take off when I'm in first and release the clutch. I have to really hit the gas harder than normal. Then when I shift to 2nd, 3rd or 4th. I don't have to shift at the speed I normally do. I can drive in 2nd to about 45 miles ph before I have to shift to 3rd. Usually, I have to shift to 4th by 45 miles. Then I smelled something burning. So due to previous experience, I parked the car because I knew that if I tried to drive it again, when I lose acceleration, I'll be stranded needing a towtruck. Thanks for the reply.

 

[snoborder42]

Do you ride the clutch at lights or in traffic? It maybe possible that the clutch isn't fully disengaging. therefore when you are at a light it is still partially engaged and causing it to over heat and slip.

 

[lune713]

Yes, the flywheel has been machined.

 

[lune713]

If it's just a quick stop, my foot is on the clutch but if I'm waiting in line or at a long light, I put it in neutral, take my foot off clutch and just keep other foot on brake. I've been driving standards since 1980 and I've never replaced a clutch except on this crazy car. It has almost 300,000 miles on it and the only other things I've replaced are tires, starter and battery.

 

[RangerX]

Who replaced the clutch the other two times? Maybe they're not doing a great job?

 

[lune713]

I took it to a different guy this time. The first time, I would hear grinding infrequently on first. I didn't get a satisfactory reply on why it would grind. I had it replaced again by the same person only because they were friends with my Dad but this time I just said no and let's find someone else. If my Dad had a lift he could do it but he's retired now and doesn't have a shop anymore.

 

[niteshooter]

Longshot, could a rear main leak spew enough oil to cause this?

That seems to be a lot of clutches. My 91 which I bought new in 1990 has only had two clutches in 400,000 km.

A stretched throttle cable can give you a feeling of poor performance but not that burning smell which must be the clutch plates. Weird, were they factory parts or the same parts each time?

Kevin