Sticky / hard shifting between gears

DJHAFNER

MEMBER
MITSUBISHI

Thanks for this forum! I have a 2002 Eclipse GS with 106,000 miles. 5-speed 2.4L

Follow the owner's manual to a tee. Recently had the clutch flushed and the manual transmission drained and filled as well.

The clutch has perfect pressure and travel with zero slip. The reservoir is full of fluid with no leaks. However I'm now finding shifting to be a little sticky at times between all gears (No grinding, just sticky). This occurs either just after starting up or driving around town for several hours.

A couple repair shops have said everything from completely replacing the clutch to just replacing the Master and Slave cylinders. I'd rather go with the cylinders as the cost is more reasonable. However do the Master and Slave cylinders have anything to do with the ease or smoothness of shifting?

Thanks a Million!

5 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

Thank you for the donation!

It may be either one. I would try to bleed the clutch master and slave cylinder first. I doubt the clutch is worn, but it all depends on how it has been driving.

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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 4:16 PM

DJHAFNER

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Thanks for the speedy reply! I drive the car with a very light foot and never touch the clutch until I need it.

Funny that neither the dealer or other repair shops said anything about bleeding the clutch master and or slave cylinder first. They just talked about replacing everything right up front.

I'm still wondering if those two components (cylinders) have a direct relation as to the quality and the ease of smoother shifting?

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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 4:28 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
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Maybe they know someting I don't. I do know that air can compress. I know that fluid cannot. I know that if air is in the line it will compress and make it hard to change gears. For example just push the clutch half way and try to shift, pretty hard isn't it?
It is the same scenario if you press the clutch all the way in, but the air causes the to not be able to completey disengage, it becomes sticky.

Is that your problem? Maybe not. Most clutches get 150,000 miles and behond when driven is a respectable manner. Not uncommon to have a bad master cylinder or slave cylinder at 110,000 miles. But maybe it can be bled. The problem that remains if bleeding takes care of it is : How did the air get in there. Perhaps it was over a long period of time, or perhaps it was fairly recent that the air began to enter the system.

A shop may be more inclined to want to replace it for a few reasons. First, customer satisfaction. If they bleed it and two weeks later the problem is back, they look bad and you aren't happy. Unhappy customers tend to not come back. Second, there is more money to make when parts are included. Part profit is very important for a shop to survive.

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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 5:14 PM

DJHAFNER

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8 POSTS

I will take your keen advice on this one amigo. Next week it's back to the shop to bleed the Clutch Master and Slave cylinders. Just can't wait for the strong-arm sales pitch for all new replacement parts, argh! Some of these places treat you like you're wasting their time for anything under $100 Bucks. That's too bad.

The process will hopefully cost only a small percentage of replacement parts and labor.

If that does do the trick and problems do arise again, then I'll know for sure what exactly to replace on my next visit. Trying to make my baby go at least 200,000 miles or beyond.

Thanks for your help :D

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Sunday, January 14th, 2007 AT 5:31 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

There is absolutley no reason why you can't double or triple what you have now. If you budget .15 for every mile you drive for maintenance and repairs, You'll probably be fine :wink:
Check the milage on this one:
https://www.2carpros.com/forum/occasional-starting-problems-vp50650.html?highlight=#50650

Let us know how you make out!