DIY - Easy clutch grab adjustment (~10 mins)

[JonnyRocket]

Koji,

I made a quick DIY video because so many people asked. It's my first video, so be kind!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScZFQ0j5beY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScZFQ0j5beY[/ame]


Hope this helps everyone, this is a great mod!! Feel free to embed this in the OP if it's good enough.

[jsiem11]

Just did it myself in about 15 minutes. Didn't even see the video but I'm sure its as good as the instructions. Matched the clutch distance with the brake pedal and it feels like an actual sports car rather than some DD with crazy handling. Props to the OP.

[MI FR-S]

A few notes on performing this:

If you don't have a suitably small 12mm wrench you should go buy one. Trying to get a small adjustable one to work is more trouble than it is worth!

You will need a light source. I was surprised how far up behind the steering I ended up.

It's helpful if someone can hold the light for you.

It's helpful if someone is there to pull you out in case your arms get stuck in a position where you can't push yourself back out.

It's possible for the proceedure to become hilarious.

[gmookher]

less adjustment is more...

[FrsSwag]

I gotta try this

[Ninjin]

I tried this clutch adjustment yesterday, and ended up setting the clutch almost level with the brake pedal. It feels much better now, more like a sports car clutch should.

However, I'm getting a creaking sound from the clutch now when the pedal comes back up. Not all of the time, but enough to worry me. I think I may have accidentally knocked some of the lubricating grease off of the clutch master cylinder push rod when I was fumbling around trying to get it to turn. This is totally my fault because instead of laying down in the "correct" position to do this I was trying to play it cool since I was outside and my neighbors could see me. And judge me. In the end I gained nothing, since I had to assume the position and sacrifice my back and dignity to get the job done, and now my clutch rod might be under-lubricated.

I called a local Subaru dealership with the part number from the service manual (SILICONE GREASE G-40M 004404003), and the surly gentleman on the phone informed me that there were only five units of this grease in the whole country, they were on the other side of the country and would take at least 10 days to arrive and that it would cost $30. He then told me I shouldn't need it at all on a new car. When I tried to explain that I had adjusted the clutch, I could tell he didn't understand why I would do such a thing and the tone in his voice when he expressed his opinion made it clear he thought I was some sort of deviant.

So now I'm stuck with some questions.

1. Do you all think the creaking/squeaking noise is from a lack of lubrication on the clutch push rod, or could it be something else? It does sound like it's coming from the push rod (i.e. nearer the accelerator pedal than the clutch pedal).

2. Should I order this rare and valuable grease from a Subaru dealership (obviously not the one I called, they're rude and judgmental), or should I try to get it from another source? Searching for G-40M grease, I have found some sources online, including ebay. It's apparently quite popular for lubricating arcade joysticks.

or

3. Should I just go to Autozone and get whatever they have there because grease is grease and I'm being way too neurotic?

Thanks for the input, I'm looking forward to your advice and ridicule!

[moK]

Did anyone have any trouble loosening the 12mm nut? The nut doesn't seem to want to budge for me.

[smokeyFRS]

Originally Posted by moK

Did anyone have any trouble loosening the 12mm nut? The nut doesn't seem to want to budge for me.

Here's a video from youtube and some pics/instructions for you.

http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/how...ssan-370z.html

[moK]

Thanks, I finally got it loose after a few more tries and the clutch feels way better now

[Pake1]

Hardly a car guy and gave this a shot.

HUGE HUGE HUGE difference. Shifting feel more natural, doesn't feel like i'm burning out the clutch, way more fun to drive the car. Put my clutch probably 1mm above the brake pedal.


Noobie mistake
- Nearly rounded out the 12mm nut turning it the wrong way.



In that case, if there isn't enough torque on the nut and the clutch goes back to where it is, I can just remove the nut, take the rod out of the saddle, and then replace it correct?

[wytcpl]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, and new to tinkering with cars too, but the wisdom and knowledge you guys impart in here gave me the confidence to try! I've adjusted my clutch slightly so that the friction point is earlier, making my shifts so much easier.

I have one question, now that I have adjusted the bolt, the nut is now out of reach, hidden behind the black bracket, and thus I haven't been able to re-tighten it properly. When I depress the clutch, I can't reach the nut with the wrench. Is there a risk of the clutch continuing to change level if the nut isn't re-tightened?

Cheers,
Vic

[Tt3Sheppard]

Originally Posted by wytcpl

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum, and new to tinkering with cars too, but the wisdom and knowledge you guys impart in here gave me the confidence to try! I've adjusted my clutch slightly so that the friction point is earlier, making my shifts so much easier.

I have one question, now that I have adjusted the bolt, the nut is now out of reach, hidden behind the black bracket, and thus I haven't been able to re-tighten it properly. When I depress the clutch, I can't reach the nut with the wrench. Is there a risk of the clutch continuing to change level if the nut isn't re-tightened?

Cheers,
Vic

You need to tighten this back otherwise it will adjust itself back to whatever setting it wants.

[zenoran]

Originally Posted by DaveyG

After a few weeks my clutch feels just like it did before the adjustment, but the height of the pedal is where I set it. Any ideas what the problem could be?

Same thing here. Thought I was losing it. I'm about to 69 my car again and readjust. My nut was tight though I don't get it.

[EBMCS03]

Originally Posted by zenoran

Same thing here. Thought I was losing it. I'm about to 69 my car again and readjust. My nut was tight though I don't get it.

Wait so what does that mean? that the catch point is now as high as it was before the mod? yet the clutch pedal is lower than stock (still at where you adjusted it)?