How do I know when my clutch needs to be replaced?

[psteng19]

I don't think it's time yet, but what are the early warning symptoms?

1995 Nissan Sentra GXE with 126,000 miles on the original clutch.

 

[RgrPark]

when your clutch starts slipping.

 

[psteng19]

Originally posted by: RgrPark
when your clutch starts slipping.

How exactly does a slipping clutch feel?
Is there a good way to test it?

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: RgrPark
when your clutch starts slipping.

Or when you have to push the clutch pedal more than half-way down to shift

 

[Twista]

Originally posted by: RgrPark
when your clutch starts slipping.

 

[Templeton]

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: RgrPark
when your clutch starts slipping.

Or when you have to push the clutch pedal more than half-way down to shift

Really depends on the car... Can adjust the clutch pedal on mine to compensate for wear in the clutch system, not necessarily due to a worn clutch.

You'll know you need a new clutch when you press on the gas and the rpms climb without the cars speed increasing proportonally.

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: Templeton

Originally posted by: Zim Hosein

Originally posted by: RgrPark
when your clutch starts slipping.

Or when you have to push the clutch pedal more than half-way down to shift

Really depends on the car... Can adjust the clutch pedal on mine to compensate for wear in the clutch system, not necessarily due to a worn clutch.

You'll know you need a new clutch when you press on the gas and the rpms climb without the cars speed increasing proportonally.

it feels like a poor man's turbo
:laugh:

 

[Evadman]

Your clutch is slipping when you press ont he gas, adn the engine RPM goes up without the car increasing in speed. All you have to do is get in a higher gear (3rd or so) at about 2000 rpm. Then stomp on it. You will instantly know if your clutch is slipping.

If the friction point moved on pedal play, that is normal on a cable actuated clutch. I am unsure as to if you have a cable or hydralic. (Cable is my GUESS). There is an adjustment nut on either the trans or the pedal (usually trans) that is adjusted to move the friction point.

 

[gsaldivar]

A trail of metal shavings leading to your parking space is usually a good sign.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Your clutch is slipping when you press ont he gas, adn the engine RPM goes up without the car increasing in speed. All you have to do is get in a higher gear (3rd or so) at about 2000 rpm. Then stomp on it. You will instantly know if your clutch is slipping.

If the friction point moved on pedal play, that is normal on a cable actuated clutch. I am unsure as to if you have a cable or hydralic. (Cable is my GUESS). There is an adjustment nut on either the trans or the pedal (usually trans) that is adjusted to move the friction point.

I'm 99% sure it's hydraulic on the 95 Sentra.

 

[bmacd]

it might feel like a false neutral or like the gear hasn't engaged all the way, yet the RPMs are climbing and you're barely moving.

-=bmacd=-

 

[Thegonagle]

BTW, the quick test is to put it in 5th gear and then attempt to accelerate from a standstill. The engine should stall almost immediately as the pedal is released, no matter how much gas you're giving it. If it doesn't stall quickly, then replacement time is drawing near.

 

[psteng19]

Well, it's not slipping for sure.
Pulls hard in every gear, including 5th.

What brings me to my asking of the question is because the position where the clutch engages has shifted.
Let me try to explain.
Let's call the point with the clutch pedal fully to the floor "disengaged" (from the engine).
I used to have to let the clutch up maybe 6-8 inches away from the disengaged position in order for the engine to connect to the tranny.

The past few days, the engaged position has become much less.
I only have to let the clutch up maybe 2-4 inches for it to become engaged with the engine.

What does that mean?

 

[Spencer278]

When you can't drive any more.

 

[MrScott81]

126k miles is a lot for the original clutch

 

[Leejai]

you know you have to change it when you're fully off the clutch, gassing all the way, but not moving anywhere....(and the car's still running)...

this happened to my friend who bought some cheap clutch and pressure plate..

 

[cronos]

Originally posted by: Leejai
you know you have to change it when you're fully off the clutch, gassing all the way, but not moving anywhere....(and the car's still running)...

this happened to my friend who bought some cheap clutch and pressure plate..

yup. sometimes it feels like it's stuck to the bottom although you have released it.