What does your clutch pedal feel like?

Hi everyone, I have an 03 coupe and I have noticed that the clutch has been feeling weird after I accelerate at a reasonably quick pace. When driving normally, the clutch requires a normal/slightly heavy amount off force to push down, but when I accelerate or drive spiritedly, the clutch gets very light. Its as if the resistance went away. The car has 23k miles on it so im assuming that its not a worn out clutch. Anyone experience the same thing? Any insight would be great. Thank you Kart/Michael

Maybe the adrenaline rush of the 996 acceleration gives your left leg super strength! Don't assume that the clutch can't be worn after 23k miles. Depends on how it's been driven. That said, I haven't heard of the "light on acceleration" from a worn clutch. Usually, the clutch pedal starts to feel heavy as things wear.

I have felt that too but usually when doing something that would get me arrested on the street So I do not discount adrenaline theory.

I know mine "feels better" some days than others. I know it's in my head. But! I can say with certainty that I feel better when driving spiritedly. TC

Well it could be the adrenaline, or what shoes im wearing that day, or if I worked out my left leg. Who knows unless I check the clutch. So the clutch feels heavier as it wears out?

I think that I need to go out for a drive and do some "Testing" on the car.

Yes, always explain to the officer you were just "testing".

Put the clutch under some slight stress. Try a higher than usual gear on a steep hill. If the engine revs go up, the clutch is slipping and time for a new one. Eyes and ears will tell you.

Quotes source post: 11492708

Yes. I asked the local dealer about it and he said it could be failure to properly break in the new clutch. But, given the mileage (and the input here), I'd say it's due. My Indy said the same thing. Another 5-7k mi. and the whole shebang gets done. IMSB/AOS/clutch. Guess my kid doesn't need college after all... TC

Quotes source post: 11493019

Feh, tell your kid to study harder and get a scholarship...daddy needs a clutch.

My clutch is the same way. After some hard driving it feels lighter. I did my clutch a little over 4k miles ago. I dont think at 23k miles your clutch will be shot unless the PO used all those miles to learn how to drive a stick.

Mine too feels a bit lighter when driven vigorously, but also do remember, the clutch operates on the same fluid as the breaking system. So it might be because of the break fluid altering temperature.

Same here on an 04 C2 with 83k miles. I've been battling this for about 2 years now. Expected a new clutch pack when I had the IMSB replaced would solve it but it had zero affect. Existing clutch disc was "as new" with 50k miles on it. Interestingly, when I replaced the motor mounts there was a noticeable improvement but not 100% solved. Driving with rev's at 4k RPM or higher causes a lighter feel and a higher release point. I plan on having the release bearing arm update done over the winter - it was supposed to be done when the clutch pack was installed and although I was charged for it, the mechanic at the Porsche dealer "thought" that I decided against having it done. Dealer is willing to correct the error but wants me to wait until winter when they need some work. The car is in now for a state inspection and brake fluid flush as scheduled maintenance, will be interesting to see if the flush and bleed changes anything. Yet on my 04 C4S with 43k miles on the clock, the clutch operates perfectly and consistently.

Mine is also due for the 2 year flush. Could it be from the fluid temperature gets hot and looses resistance?

I think this might be related to temperature, right now we are having a heat wave in Norway. Same longitude as north Alaska and Iceland so above 30C is quite uncommon. My clutch feels lighter than at normal temperature which is 10C and rain. Normally it takes a while of rigours driving to provoke the lighter clutch feel. I have a new clutch kit, clutch slave and new fluids, so everything should be tip top. Only thing I can think of is the clutch helper spring which I have ordered.

I've had a chance to drive the C2 for a bit after the brake fluid flush and bleed. As expected the brakes and clutch feel more firm yet the feeling that the clutch is "lighter" after running at 4k rpm or higher remains. I could be way off base here but I keep thinking that the higher revs are causing the engine or trans to shift resulting in better alignment of the release bearing to the pressure plate. I would think that if the release bearing is not contacting the diaphragm on the pressure plate evenly it would take more initial force to release the pressure plate. If my C4S operated the same I would probably just write it off as a minor annoyance since it doesn't affect the performance of the car at all. I know I should just let it go, but it's just me to want to get it figured out.

I too want to find out why its happening even if it doesnt need fixing.

Thanks everyone for the input. After some "testing" it does seem like the clutch gets lighter and the engagement point gets higher after 4000 rpm. The weather in the Sacramento/Davis area has been high 80s to mid 90s, so it could be the heat. Sadly there arent any steep hills by me except for one small hill. So should I test it in 2nd on the hill? I have the brakes and clutch flushed last summer so it should be fine. I guess its just one of those 996 curiosities like the stiff gear engagement. I wish that I could try driving someone else's car and have them drive mine. I know for a fact that the previous owner did not do anything stupid to the car.

Finally had the clutch release arm upgraded along with a new release bearing guide tube. Only drove it about 60 miles but so far so good. Pedal pressure and release point is consistent. Clutch seems to operate the same even at revs of 4K rpm and above. Time will tell but I am really pleased with it at the moment.