worn out clutch or bad synchros

[Jrichy]

lately my clutch has been feeling a little worn out... i dnt know how to explain it better than it just doesnt feel the same as it did... im also having trouble going into gear... i dnt know if the synchros are bad or if my clutch is just worn out... any advice would be appreciated... thanks

[po18guy]

It almost sounds like you clutch is not disengaging completely. So, time to find out: Is it cable operated, or hydraulic? I can't tell you, because I don't know your gen of Civic.

If it's a cable, it likely has too much slack, or free play, in it. That is a simple matter of adjustment. Check your pedal for free play. It should have about an inch of free play before the pedal begins to actually disengage the clutch. More than that - say 2-3 inches, you need an adjustment. If you've been bangin' shifts, the cable could be stretched. That would cause the problem you describe.

A hydraulic clutch is a different matter. What I have just described can also happen to a hydraulic clutch, but for a different reason. If clutch fluid in the clutch master cylinder is way low, it can cause what you describe. If there is a hydraulic fluid leak in the system, it can cause the same problem. You can have leaks in three different areas of a hydraulic clutch: the master cylinder on the firewall, the slave cylinder on the engine, or in the hose that connects the two cylinders.

A clutch that is worn out will usually slip. This would be like pushing the clutch pedal halfway down while accelerating. It would also smell awful, from the clutch friction material burning. Difficulty engaging gears indicates a clutch that is not disengaging completely. That points to a cable adjustment, or hydraulic maintenance/repair being needed.

Good luck.

[Jrichy]

its a hydrolic clutch... thanks for the input... nice to know its not the synchros

[po18guy]

Try pumping the clutch pedal several times before engaging a gear. If that works better, you may have air in the system. Check the fluid level first. If it's low then add fluid and bleed the air out. If you have no visible leaks, you may need only to add fluid and/or bleed air out of the system. A good tranny is good news!

[Jrichy]

ok i pumped the pedal... and nothing... tried bleeding it and still nothing... there was no air in it... the clutch still feels different... any suggestions on what i should do now?

[SiR Timmy]

If the clutch is worn out it will slowly take off almost like the car has a loss of torque. It could be the shift fork or linkage maybe. Or the hydraulic pump could have a bad O-ring thats leaking internally. Don't take my word on it though I'm not a tranny tech. lol What I do know is that if the synchros are bad the tranny will grind when you try to shift at higher RPM's and it usually starts in one or two gears not all gears.

[Jrichy]

well the gears dont grind... although i havent taken it up to higher rpms... it only grinds on reverse... and it vibrates when i try to take off, like the clutch is trying to grab

[po18guy]

Originally Posted by Jrichy

well the gears dont grind... although i havent taken it up to higher rpms... it only grinds on reverse... and it vibrates when i try to take off, like the clutch is trying to grab

Sounds like clutch chatter. This could be from an overheated/glazed clutch disc, or from hydraulic fluid on the disk. In a rare case, the pressure plate could have a mechanical defect. Since your hydarulic system seems OK, it's probably a bad disc. Anyone else drive your car, like someone not too clutch savvy? If they slipped the clutch excessively, it would cause a "glaze" on the surface of the friction disc. That leads to chattering. Sounds like your tranny is OK, but your clutch needs an exam.

[lovengreat]

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