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Car and Truck Clutch Questions and Answers - This category contains featured
questions as examples. They relate to most vehicles.
Question: 2004 Ford F350 Mileage: 63,000. My truck has a 6-speed transmission.
On two occasions, I have pulled up to a red light and sat at the light with the
clutch engaged while waiting for the light to change. All of a sudden, the truck
started taking off even though I had not let off the clutch. After taking off, the
clutch went back to working properly but then the same thing happened about 4 hours
later. The clutch itself does not seem bad. It does not slip or do anything unusual
when driving.
Answer: We suspect that your clutch master cylinder is occasionally bypassing
the internal seals. Rebuilding or replacing the clutch master cylinder is the only
solution.
Question: 1998 Chevy s10, miles: 78,990 manual shift truck. I don't know
that much about automotive work and I'd appreciate your advice. I had the clutch
replaced one year ago, not sure exactly what parts they replaced, but its a new
clutch. After driving the truck for a while I noticed the same type screeching noise
coming from the clutch when it is pressed down. This noise however only occurs if
the vehicle has been driven for approx 15 minutes and is more noticeable in the
summer time. I took it in to the local dealership and they said they would have
to drop the transmission, and replace the pivot ball and fork, which they think
may be the problem. However, a second opinion says it may be the master cylinder
for the clutch. From the info I was given which would you say the problem is? I
know you haven't seen or heard the truck when the clutch is pressed in but I think
it is getting worse. Can you give me a quick reference as to what the problem is:
the pivot ball and fork, or the master cylinder for the clutch?
Answer: Hard to diagnose a screech from here but it sounds like a misaligned
clutch release bearing caused by a worn pivot ball and/or fork. It could be that
just the bearing itself is bad. It is possible that the clutch master cylinder for
the clutch may not be fully releasing the clutch, but rather doubtful.
Question: 1999 Ford Mustang, miles: 78,200 I recently took my Mustang
GT into a Ford service center for a slipping clutch. They told me that I have a
self-adjusting clutch and that the clutch assembly needed to be replaced. After
having it replaced, I have found that the clutch is a lot looser than before and
as I drive, it is constantly changing from tight to loose to tight again. The clutch
never did that before. I did a little research on this, and found that there should
only be about an inch of play in the clutch. I have more than that. I talked to
3 different people at the Ford center, one of which was the service manager and
they told me that it was working just fine and there was nothing else they could
do for it. I took my car into a different service center for a second opinion. I
was told that the master cylinder on my car controls both the clutch and the brakes.
He told me that the master cylinder is leaking and needs to be replaced. I went
back to the Ford service center and told them what I found. They said no, that the
master cylinder does not do that and should not need to be replaced. Here's my
Question: Does the master cylinder control the clutch and brakes and if so,
and it is leaking, by having it replaced would this fix my clutch problem? Is there
anything else that would cause this 'slipping' of my clutch?
Answer: Your car is equipped with two master cylinders, one for the clutch
and one for the brake. The clutch also has a slave cylinder that operates the clutch.
It appears that either one or both of the master cylinders is faulty causing your
problem.
Question: 1998 Ford Mustang GT mileage: 67,000. I am the third owner of
a 98 GT, and the clutch seems to be a little stiff and requires quite a bit of force
to depress. This is my first manual, so I'm not really aware as to how loose or
stiff the clutch should be. I have tried the clutch on my friend's 2001 Mustang
V6, and it's much more loose than mine and requires a fraction of the force to depress.
I would like to know whether my clutch is OK or should I have it checked out professionally
or whatever?
Answer: The clutch in your car requires more effort to operate than your
friend's car because a stronger clutch is required for a V8 motor as opposed to
a 6-cylinder motor.
Question: 1996 Chevrolet Camaro V6 mileage: 114,000. This car has a five
speed manual transmission. Clutch has no apparent slop (probably auto-adjusting).
Fluid level is correct and has not dropped. Clutch works fine in all forward gears
but gears always grind going into reverse. Doesn't matter how long the clutch is
held down before shifting. This can be avoided only by shifting into reverse before
starting.
Answer: You may have a warped clutch disc that does not allow the clutch
to be fully disengaged. Replace clutch with a new assembly.
Question: 1999 Mazda Prot�g� mileage: 108,000. Well my clutch is going out
on my car and my dad and I were going to fix it but we got one of those maintenance
books and it was from 1988 to 1998 and it had all models and it said to drop the
transaxle to replace it but some people told me I had to pull the engine, do you
know if I have to pull the engine or not?
Answer: Either pulling the engine or the transaxle will work to replace
the clutch. We have found that it is easier to do the transaxle.
Question: 1998 Mitsubishi 3000GT SL V6 mileage: 73,000. My car is a 5
speed standard and I believe that the clutch has gone out. The car will go into
gear but when the clutch pedal is let out, the car will not move. I also smell a
burning smell such as a clutch going out. What is your recommendation and if it
is the clutch is this a job that only a dealer should do? If so do you have an idea
as to what the total cost would be, parts, labor, etc. I'm trying to get an idea
since my parents are making me save up for the total repair. John
Answer: Your clutch has failed. Most independent repair service
centers should be able to do the work for you. We would highly recommend replacing
the clutch with new parts. As for the cost, it varies from region to region. Call
local service centers for cost comparisons.
Question: 1999 Ford Probe 4 cyl turbo mileage: 109,000. My husband is
at his wit's end trying to fix the clutch on our probe. One day the pedal started
losing pressure and traveled all the way to the floor. He replaced the slave cylinder
and it still wouldn't work. He bought a master cylinder rebuild kit and the pedal
still won't build up any pressure. We have bled the system several times. At one
time, we actually did get pressure and went to bleed the system for any remaining
air and lost the pressure and have never been able to get it back. When we bleed
the system the fluid runs through the lines but the pedal just won't come off the
floor.
Answer: Your clutch problems may be caused by the clutch release fork
inside the clutch.
Question: 1999 Ford Explorer mileage: 95,000. Recently I had my clutch
replaced (89,000), because it became very difficult to get into gear and it grinded
going into reverse. The following work was done: remove transmission and clutch
assembly, inspect and clean release fork, input shaft cover, flywheel and bell housing,
inspect rear engine and transmission seals. Install clutch disc, pressure plate,
release and pilot bearing. Reinstall transmission and top off fluid level. Remove
and resurface flywheel, remount flywheel to crankshaft, remove existing rear main
engine seal, install new seal, replace rear transmission rail and 3 rubber plugs.
After the repairs, the clutch ran well for 3 1/2 months. Then the same problems
reoccurred. This time the shop bleed the hydraulic system, and the clutch worked
for three more weeks and the original problem reoccurred. I spent $800 on this job
and I want to be sure this shop is taking the proper approach. What do you think
the problem maybe, as I am trying my best to keep from paying any more money, as
the clutch remains under warranty?
Answer: Sounds like you are having problems with the clutch
master cylinder and/or clutch slave cylinder, not the clutch itself.
Question: 1998 Chevy S10 Pickup Extended Standard mileage: 100,000. I
can't remember the size of the engine. I think it's a 6-cylinder, not sure. Standard
transmission. Is there a way to adjust the clutch? I have no play in the pedal,
and it's becoming increasingly hard to get the truck in gear, especially when it's
cold. My partner (who could probably say more relevant things about it) says he's
looked at it and can't find how to adjust the clutch. He thinks the clutch is okay
but just needs adjustments.
Answer: There is no adjustment on the clutch linkage. If you have not
replaced the clutch in 160,000 miles, then you've definitely got your money's worth
and are ready for a new clutch.
Question: 1997 Honda Accord mileage: 89,315 I need to know, if you sell
the clutch, with everything (three pieces), and also the Idle-control solenoid-value.
My car makes a sound when I turn it on. When the car is cold, the idle-control solenoid-value,
goes as if, is going to turn off. If is possible, please tell me the prices, if
you sell part, and also tell me what you think. Julio
Answer: There are several Internet sites that sell auto parts. When you replace the clutch, the flywheel should be resurfaced.
Question: 1999 Chevy S10 4.3 mileage: 62,000. I have a 99 Chevy s10 zr2 with
62k on it. It's been trouble free for the most part but lately I have noticed that
the clutch pedal feels like it has about 1.5 to 2" of free pedal travel before you
feel it engage the pressure plate. This usually happens when the truck has been
sitting for a while. During the course of driving the pedal will come back up and
feel normal. I checked the clutch master cylinder reservoir and it was a little
low. In fact, it sucked down the rubber thing. So I filled it up and thought that
would do the trick. This morning it proved me wrong. I started to check for leaks
both inside the truck and under the hood at the master cylinder. No leaks. And,
there is no apparent leak at the transmission. I don't think it is leaking because
the fluid level has not changed. My question is, am I overlooking something here?
And, has anyone had this same problem with their S10?
Answer: You probably have a clutch master cylinder that is starting to
fail.
Question: 1993 Honda Civic 1500 mileage: 293,000. I recently replaced
the manual 5-speed transmission in this car. I tried two wrecking yard replacements,
and both had severe problems, so the wrecking yard refunded my money, and let me
keep the cores. I had a trans shop rebuild one of them (all new roller and ball
bearings, it was a kit" and I put it in. Now it's hard to get into first gear, sometimes,
at a dead stop. I took it back, and the trans shop pulled it, and replaced the first
gear synchromesh. Still the same problem. I replaced the bushings in the external
linkage, still no improvement. The trans shop recommended 20-w50 oil, and I tried
that and 10-40, and 80-90. Is there some additive I should put in? Does Honda have
a special oil for that transmission?
Answer: If the clutch parts that you used were rebuilt, this could be
your problem. We have had poor luck with rebuilt clutches in the past and use only
new clutch parts now.
Question: 1997 Chevrolet Camaro mileage: 78,000. I have had my car for two
years, and it has always been hard to shift. I have had different people say it
was the clutch and others say it is the shifter. Just recently, I have seen many
Camaro's being updated to B & M or Hurst shifters. Before I spend a lot of money
either way I would like to know your opinion.
Answer: The clutch is your problem. If the clutch does not disengage properly,
the synchromesh in the transmission prevents the smooth shifting between gears.
Question: 1999 Chevy Silverado mileage: 160,000. I put a new clutch
in about a year ago and it has done until here recently. Now if I am setting
with the truck in gear and the clutch mashed in it will bleed back and kill the
motor about 10 seconds after u hold it down. There is no air in the slave
cylinder I have bleb the line several times it is not helping. If the truck
is not running and I hold the clutch in after a few seconds I can hear something
squeak and then it won’t come out of gear unless I mash the clutch in again
Answer: Based on the information you have given us, it seems that the clutch
master cylinder has developed an internal leak allowing the pressure to flow back
into the reservoir. Replacing the clutch master cylinder should fix your problem.
Question: 1998 Isuzu Rodeo? mileage: 74,000. Hello: I am asking
this question for my husband, who is at his wits end. The clutch went out
on his SUV, and he put in a new one. He got it all lined up, back in, and
bled the system. However, for some reason, when he tested it, and pushed in
the clutch, it goes all the way down to the floor; but won't come back up.
He now is getting ready to have the car towed and worked on because he can't figure
it out. I'm afraid that this problem may be easily fixed, and we are about
to dole out more $ on something that maybe can be easily remedied. We've already
lost hundreds of $ having this SUV worked on by mechanics who did "not" do the work
that they were contracted do on many of their customer's vehicles.... They
are all in jail; but we lost our $, and if this is easily fixed, I'd sure like to
avoid spending more $. PLEASE! can you help?!?!?!?
Answer: Without seeing and inspecting your car, it is difficult to diagnose
your problem. We are guessing that you still have air in the hydraulic system
for the clutch. If possible pull the clutch pedal back up by hand and gently
pump it a few times to see if you can get some of the air out. Also, inspect
the system for loose connections that may be losing hydraulic fluid.
One other thing, push the clutch pedal down and at the same time have someone check
to see if the clutch slave cylinder moves. If it does move, then you
have problems with the clutch assembly itself.
Question: 1998 Jaguar XK8 mileage: 85,000. I have a 5-speed transmission
Jaguar clutch pedal that goes to the floor. What could be the problem?Answer: It is possible that you are merely low on clutch fluid and refilling
it may cure your problem. Alternatively, you may have a leak in the clutch
master or slave cylinder. Remotely possible, your clutch assembly may have
failed.
Question: 1998 Ford F350 mileage: 88,000. Changed slave cylinder on
transmission, having a hard time bleeding air out. There is no bleeder on
cylinder or on the master. Am wondering what to do to bleed it. Thanks
in advance for your helpAnswer: The clutch slave and master cylinder are
self-bleeding. This is done by gently done by gently tapping the clutch pedal.
Question: 1999 Ford f150 mileage: 56,000. The clutch pedal on my
mom’s f150 4x4 is all the way to the floor. She was able to pump it and make
it work for a while, but now it does nothing. Sometimes not even coming back
up from the floor. A neighbor checked the fluid for her and added some, (amount
unknown), and it worked for a while. I looked for a bleeder valve but found
nothing. There is nothing happening in the master cylinder reservoir while
pumping. I thought changing this would solve the problem, but I cannot figure
out how to disconnect. HELP! Does it sound like the clutch master cylinder
putting air into the line? And if so, how do you disconnect this stuff?
Answer: You stated in your question that some fluid was added
to the clutch master and it worked for a while. This would indicate
a leak in the system, probably the clutch slave cylinder. Check for the leak
in the system and replace accordingly.
Question: 1995 Subaru 4WD (not turbo) 1.6 mileage: 69,000. I was
driving, and I downshifted, and my clutch "popped" to the floor. Luckily,
I was right by my house, so I drifted to my house. Now, my clutch just dangles
there. I pull it back; it just goes down to the floor. I don't know
if I need a brand new clutch, or just new parts. Thanks
Answer: Check the clutch cable, it sounds like it may have
broken.
Question: 1999 Dodge Caravan mileage: 80,000. I know it is time
to replace the clutch. But could you tell me if there is an adjustment for
the clutch cable? I am having trouble getting the car into gear .It grinds
especially when you try to go into reverse. Thanks
Answer: Sounds like your problem points to replacing the clutch.
We do not believe your clutch is adjustable, even if it was, it would not help your
problem.
MORE: Clutch operation
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