Any one have trouble w/ KEP pressure plates?, Mine won't release all the way??? Options

[wbergtho]

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif) My KEP 240mm Stage 1 pressure plate is not releasing and I've checked all the obvious things like a broken spot weld on the Boden tube (firewall & attachment by shifter), pedal box bushings, clevis, clutch cable,...etc. All the these items are great. I watched the Boden tube while actuating the clutch and it is still. The clutch won't release enough to allow gear selection while the engine is running. With the engine off, I can select all gears no problem (brand new gearbox). The car ran well and the clutch seemed to function properly for about 200 miles...then it quit releasing all the way...and found myself double clutching & matching revs to get it home. I then tightened the cable thinking it must have stretched under the strain of the KEP pressure plate..and it still won't release. I then used the "cave man" approach to determine whether the pressure plate will release manually or not. I disconnected the clutch cable @ the trans and slid a long pipe over the lever arm and cranked it over to it's maximum travel...had a friend hold it there while I got in the car (up on stands)...I fired it up and checked to see if it was released entirely and it was. It shifted into all gears properly with engine running. My question is...WHY can't I get enough clutch cable travel to actuate the pressure plate entirely...when it WAS working flawlessly for 200+ miles??? I'm starting to think that there may be something wrong in the disc, or pressure plate broken or cracked diaphram, or maybe the pilot bearing has failed causing the main shaft to spin with the engine? I won't be sure until I take everything apart and inspect these parts. Can anyone think of any thing else I may be overlooking? (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif)

Thanks,

Bill

[byndbad914]

Bill,

I had a KEP heavy duty PP years ago when my 914 was a daily driver (stock 4 banger and 901 trans) and I got about 6 months out of it and some of the "fingers" bent in one night and I couldn't engage the clutch completely, so I just drove home on back streets in 2nd gear (as that is what I could push start it in if I had to stop (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/mad.gif) ). At that time, I just pitched it and went back to stock because the pedal effort would even break Welmeister cables.

Now, I have their 930 aluminum PP in the car and at this point have my fingers crossed, and my wallet as well. I show some chattering already (with a stock disk, not kevlar or anything that likes to chatter) with only 5 or 6 track days and some glazing on the outer 1" of diameter. Not too happy right now. The pedal effort is BRUTAL with that PP, but I need good clamping for the torque (as you would also need).

Do you have an early, short bellhousing 930 or the later longer bell trans? I have the later one - if you know of a good alternative to KEP for a pressure plate - or anyone reading this thread - let me know. I may end up sending this puppy back at this point. I have yet to go full throttle on mine, so if it already slips and chatters, f*** that!