Clutch Going Out?

[spidey775]

So i was driving my car over the weekend and everything was fine. When I took it out on monday I noticed the the gears wont go in as smooth as they used to. If Im driving and keep the car under 3k the gears will go in decently, maybe a little stiff. If i drive and Rev up to say all the way to 5k and go on to shift the Gear will not go in, it will be really hard until the revs go down and eventually go in. So is my clutch gone? What do u guys suggest as a replacement?

 

[bradboyd80]

Have you tried changing fluids just to see what happens? It's cheaper than changing the clutch.

 

[spidey775]

Nope havent done that ever. The car now has 45000 miles. What kind of fluid should i try? Is there a tutorial by any chance?

 

[bradboyd80]

I don't think there's a how-to anywhere. But the vast majority seem to go with Motorcraft XT-M5-QS and will swear by it. You should be able to get it at any Ford dealership. I think I saw that it runs around $17/qt.

 

[spidey775]

Okay I Will try that see what happens. How much will I need do you know by any chance?

 

[bradboyd80]

Found it.......

http://www.protege5.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123692757

 

[spidey775]

Thanks a lot! I will try this out tomorrow. Hope its just the fluid, I really dont wish to spend money on a clutch haha, but if it must me done then i guess ill go hungry for a week lol.

 

[bradboyd80]

You should be able to find a replacement clutch for around $300; the killer is the labor. Good luck! I hope the fluid does it for you.

 

[spidey775]

that would be a stock one though no? wouldnt it be worth it to just upgrade while im down there. how long are our clutches supposed to last? 45000 doesnt seem like a lot

 

[bradboyd80]

45k does seem a bit early for the clutch to give out. Unless it's been abused of course, which would seriously shorten its lifespan. Yeah, that's for a stock clutch. If you go aftermarket, expect to pay at least 2-2.5 times that amount. Aftermarket kits go for anywhere between $600-$900.

 

[eg6motion]

45k is very early for a clutch, unless it was slipped a lot or abused. That's VERY early.

 

[Darth Vader]

Usual first signs of a clutch going out is extensive slippage on engagement, especially under high load in high gears and even weirder pedal feel than this car usually has (higher engagement point). Hard shifting isn't as common but, it's possible. The uncommon is commonplace with this weird little car.

 

[spidey775]

So i changed the fluids and nope nothing changed other than when the gears do go in they feel better than before lol. Anyways so where can i get a cheap clutch? I think i will just go the cheapest route for now, dont have much money to spend.

 

[bradboyd80]

Try Rockauto. Huge database of OEM parts.

 

[spidey775]

Alright thanks a bunch

 

[cudaman]

In 4th and 5th especially, if the RPMs go up fast, but your vehicle speed doesn't advance and you feel no "pull", the clutch is more than likely sub-par.

 

[RichB]

That doesn't sound like a clutch problem to me. It sounds like a syncro problem on the transmission.

 

[meicalnissyen]

Try Rockauto. Huge database of OEM parts.

+1 and a great price and quick ship on denso plugs

 

[shane02pro5]

Have you checked all your motor mounts this will directly affect shiftability at higher rpms especially as soft as the stock mounts are. Also check shift linkage??