How do you know your clutch is giving out?

[IllaNoizeTV]

It's been getting slightly more difficult and rough to shift and downshift lately. But if I press the clutch all the way down with full pressure (minor work out to my left leg) then it's smoother to shift and feels very easy. Does this mean my clutch is going out. I just don't wanna have to press the clutch down with my full body weight every time I shift. Help please?

 

[Gabi]

Pressure plate perhaps? Have you tried adjusting your clutch pedal. Where is your engagement point?

 

[Preferio]

Pressure plate perhaps? Have you tried adjusting your clutch pedal. Where is your engagement point?

Could very well be the pressure plate. Does it seem to get worse when it's hot out or after it's reached operating temperatures?

 

[IllaNoizeTV]

How do you adjust the clutch pedal? Also it doesnt get worse when it's hot. Overall it stays the same whether it's a cold start up or running all day when its 95+ degrees out.

 

[Preferio]

You adjust it at the pedal, though, realistically, it shouldn't require it. Generally speaking, and early signs of pressure plate failure, it's significantly more difficult to engage when it's hot. Not necessarily ambient temperatures, but operating temperatures. It just exacerbates it.

 

[f1yen]

I recall reading how to see if your clutch is going bad, think it was back in my E30 days.

While stopped, pull parking brake, Put in 3rd/4th gear, and throttle with releasing clutch, the clutch should have enough meat on it to stall the car. If it continues to drive as the car is stopped... bad clutch/pressureplate etc.

I wonder if when you push the clutch in all the way, it takes more time, and has time for your intermediate shaft to slow down more (transmission) and less work on the synchros? is this what you mean?

 

[njaremka]

if you are not pushing the pedal to the floor, its going to be hard to shift. you need to disengage the pressure plate completely when you shift, otherwise there will still be some power running through to the gearbox.