Clutch & Parking Brake

[brentbeecher@xxxx]

I have one of those super-stiff clutches being discussed. My 
slave cylinder developed a leak while I was in San Fransisco, 
and the mechanic ordered a new one from DMC Garden Grove. 
That mechanic also thought I needed a new clutch because of 
the stiffness, but I had a chat with my Boulder, Colorado 
mechanic, Dana Haglin about it, and he said Delorean clutches 
are stiff, and not to worry about it. So, I to the SF people I'd keep 
the new clutch for when I needed it, but didn't ask them to put it in 
then. 

I have been a little concerned about the stiffness, since I'm sure 
it's putting a heafty amount of pressure on the hydraulic system, 
and replacing the slave is bitchy work if I do it myself, expensive if 
I have someone else do it... Haglin has driven it since then, and 
doesn't seem to think anything is unusual. So what's the story? 
I have a brand new slave cylinder, but an old clutch, and it's stiff. 
When I drive other cars, the clutch feels like butter. It seems to 
engage perfectly, and there is no problem shifting.

Also, a parking brake question. I noticed it was feeling a little 
"gritty" recently, and finally I was engaging it when there was a 
little "pop" feeling, and it moved up much more freely, but to a 
hyper-extended position. It still works, but to stop the car on a 
hill, it has to be pulled up higher than the door will allow. 
Everything seems ok by the calipers, and I suspect that 
something has become detached in the hand unit. I gently pryed 
a bit on the carpet covering the floor box, but couldn't find any 
tabs or screws that were holding it down, and before I reefed on 
it with a screwdriver, I thought I'd ask for some finess tips on how 
to get that box open. :-) Thanks to everyone for a fine list.


Brent Beecher
00893
Seattle, WA