Clutch pedal issue. $10 reward

Denji · Feb 13, 2007

I started a new thread because i couldnt change the title of the old one. Anyhow, this problem is bothering me a lot, so I'm going to offer 10 bucks to anyones paypal account that gives me input that leads directly to me finding the problem with my car. Not just what could be the problem but a reasonable explanation of the theory behind why that would be the problem or a personal experience with similar symptoms. Of course, the 10 bucks will be given to the first person that posts up the relevant information.

Summary of symptoms and info.

Main symptom: after pushing clutch in around 9/10 of the way, there is a lack of resistance, so it feels firm firmer then firmest and then feels soft at the very bottom. This predominately happens under heavy acceleration.

Side note: Clutch is a little sticky at the bottom of its pedal travel.

The clutch is unaffected by turning, never have i experienced it any different after any turn at any speed.
The feeling is only noticeable when i push the clutch in rather quickly, it seems as if easing it in alleviates the feeling.
The clutch hydralics are all replaced within 2 years, none of the boots are leaking fluid on either cylinder
The car doesnt tick strangely with or without the clutch depressed.
I seem to be unable to move the clutch pedal engagement point from near the top.
The hydraulic reservoir is full and been recently bled correctly with all new fluid.
I greased the pedal...
The clutch never hesitates to return to its upright position on its own.
The car appears to actually shift better during acceleration than slow speed city driving, its not really hurting the driveability much but I'm annoyed at the fact that i dont know what it is and no one seems to have had a problem quite the same. I'll be checking and updating regularly.

silver eclipse · Feb 13, 2007

If you seem to be unable to move the clutch engagment point from the top, Then you maybe be hitting the most the pressure plate has.
Even tho you said it was bleed, but any trapped air at this poiont would be compressed. When you bled it, you did bleed the master cylinder right? If not you can have some one push in the clutch with the line barely open for it to leak out. Close it before the pedal returns (if it returns).
-Chad

Denji · Feb 13, 2007

silver eclipse said:
If you seem to be unable to move the clutch engagment point from the top, Then you maybe be hitting the most the pressure plate has.
Even tho you said it was bleed, but any trapped air at this poiont would be compressed. When you bled it, you did bleed the master cylinder right? If not you can have some one push in the clutch with the line barely open for it to leak out. Close it before the pedal returns (if it returns).
-Chad

You mean over disengaging the pressure plate? I thought this was a possibility, yet i have no way to fix it, I cant get the pedal to engage any lower, i mean, i can move it down some but it always catches at the top of the travel it has. I will try to put it even further down but its almost at its max.

I bled the master cylinder and slave cylinder by cracking open the nipple on the slave cylinder, and doing as you have above, i then forced the slave cylinder rod inside and tightened to make sure no air was in there as well. The only way air could be in there now is if i have a small enough leak in my slave cylinder that the fluid doesnt come out but air can get in. (this actually happened to me once, no fluid on the outside but kept losing pressure if the car sat for a prolonged time.)

jking29 · Feb 14, 2007

You say it gets soft at its furthest travel and is sticky? It sounds like you are over-extending the pressure plate. Did you put an extended clutch rod in or shim the ball stud when the clutch was put in? If so you may want remove it before you do permanent damage to the pressure plate. You do NOT want a clutch explosion at full scream, it could be life threatening.

MrdB · Feb 14, 2007

i had the same problem, my clutch line (right before the slave cyl) and colasped on the inside... put and new line one, works like a champ

Denji · Feb 15, 2007

jking29 said:
You say it gets soft at its furthest travel and is sticky? It sounds like you are over-extending the pressure plate. Did you put an extended clutch rod in or shim the ball stud when the clutch was put in? If so you may want remove it before you do permanent damage to the pressure plate. You do NOT want a clutch explosion at full scream, it could be life threatening.

The feeling would make me beleive this is possible, but i neither extended nor shimmed, however, im unsure what the size of the slave or mater cylinders rod is, its whatever came in the box when i bought it from the autoparts store. I saw a video of one exploding on a car at the dragstrip, it was crazy!

Denji · Feb 15, 2007

MrdB said:
i had the same problem, my clutch line (right before the slave cyl) and colasped on the inside... put and new line one, works like a champ

This isnt possible really at that exact location, good idea, perhaps this happened somewhere else in my clutch hydraulic lines but as of now the accumulator is gone and I replaced the line to the slave cylinder with a stainless steel one one month ago in an effort to resolve the issue. Was that a metal line or rubber? Most of the line in my car is still stock, just not the last bit.

drewvr4 · Feb 15, 2007

could have some air in the line, have you bled the system?

jking29 · Feb 16, 2007

It could also be a bent or twisted clutch fork. Also, when you put the clutch in, was the flywheel properly stepped?

Denji · Feb 16, 2007

jking29 said:
It could also be a bent or twisted clutch fork. Also, when you put the clutch in, was the flywheel properly stepped?

The clutch failed during the week of my finals and my father helped me out by getting someone else to install it so it wouldnt be a hassle. The fork is a possibility whats the best way to check if thats the problem?

Denji · Feb 22, 2007

UPDATE: The clutch pedal feel seems to get better if i force the pedal over to the right, not a 100% improvement but significantly better. Im not yet sure if this is in my head or not but it does seriously seem as if it makes an improvement.

Upon closer inspection i now realize that my clutch is being depressed on to an angled portion near the firewall instead of a flat portion. I think this causes it to hit then slide down the slope when i apply pressure for a shift. No part in particular looks to be broken but i can deflect the pedal to the right with some pressure a rather significant amount.

That or possibly the master cylinder rod is being forced in at a slight angle, which probably could cause problems as well.

Anyone like to speculate on whether this sounds possible, a cause behind this and what the best approach to fixing it would be if this indeed is my problem?

Mike1992 · Feb 25, 2007

Sounds like a worn out pedal assembly to me.

The clutch pedal and arm often wear and waste clutch pedal travel. If you have replaced both the slave and master cyl, clutch fork, and installed a stainless line but still cannot adjust the rod, this part is most likely the culprit

I had to do this on my 1g, I also welded the little arm to the main assembly so it wouldn't happen again. Works like a champ now. :thumb:

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Clutch pedal issue. $10 reward

Denji

silver eclipse

Denji

jking29

MrdB

Denji

Denji

drewvr4

jking29

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