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how do I adjust a clutch?
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 6:33 am
by astv5l
Just bought a 93 Legacy SS w/ a 5 speed. It has 116K. The clutch slips slightly when in 5th gear @ about 2500 rpm, gave it the gas, rpm elevated about 300 rpm. Was definitely a slight slip. Noticed that the clutch is not adjusted according to the specs in the manual, way too much free play and pedal goes clear to floor.
I understand that I will probably have to replace the clutch fairly soon, but would like to get it adjusted right and try that first. I've adjusted the clutch on several front wheel drive cars, but can't seem to figure it out on on this one.
Thx
Steve
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 2:40 pm
by vrg3
You're not supposed to ever have to adjust the clutch on these cars...
Have you tried changing the clutch fluid and bleeding it?
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 3:36 pm
by astv5l
Wow, I didn't know that I couldn't adjust the clutch. I thought that I had read several posts on this board referring to adjusting it, and I just couldn't figure it out.
No, I haven't tried changing the clutch fluid and bleeding it. I'm going to change all of the fluids this weekend anyway, so I'm adding that to the list.
Thx
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:22 pm
by legacy92ej22t
THe N/A Legacy's have an adjustable clutch, like most cars.
The Legacy SS 5mt has a hydralic clutch.
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 4:44 pm
by vrg3
Cool. It sounds like you might have air in the fluid, so hopefully a change of fluid and thorough bleeding will help.
There are two places in the system where you need to bleed. One's at the damper and one's at the slave cylinder. Bleed the damper first, then the slave cylinder.
To bleed the slave cylinder it helps if the car is parked on a downward slope. Also, pushing the slave cylinder piston in by hand is necessary to get all the air out.
This pictures might help:
http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/~v/clutch_hydraulics/
Posted: Tue Oct 26, 2004 5:02 pm
by professor
look for signs of fluid leakage at the slave cylinder. if your slave seal is going bad it will manifest just as you stated. filling and bleeding may help but temporarily if that is the case.
Of course a worn-out clutch disk will manifest just as you stated as well, it will self-adjust trying to compensate for the thin disk, then eventually start to slip in top gear. Usually a failing clutch is a slow change in pedal travel, and a bad slave cylinder seal, a rapid change (and a blown slave, a really rapid change !)
let's hope for air in there.