Clutch slip

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Usually you cannot feel the clutch slip in lower gears unless it is already 
nearly shot. If you think about it the clutch transmits maximum torque from 
engine to wheels at the engine's peak torque in top gear. Maximum torque at 
the wheels is a different thing altogether, resulting from multiplication 
in the gearbox. The clutch has to resist the engine trying to twist the 
gearbox input shaft which has its highest resistance in top gear.

The classic test for a slipping clutch is a hill climb in as high a gear as 
feasible while reaching close to peak torque for the engine, around 3-4, 
000 rpm usually depending on the engine.

Low gear acceleration runs do not stress the clutch nearly as much as top 
gear acceleration runs. Interesting eh?

I had a similar discussion about gear failure in which I pointed out that 
it should not surprise someone that say third gear failed from abusive 
acceleration runs before first or second. The torque transferred by third 
gear should produce higher loadings on the gear teeth than in lower gears 
as the multiplication effect is less, so the engine side of the gear 
"feels" the weight of the car more.
Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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