Possible clutch wear?

[Romanov]

So lately (last two days) I feel like my engagement Point on my clutch has changed or moved up a little (I have to travel the petal higher to hit the engagement point) , maybe a half centimeter. To the point it's been noticeable, I have to almost have the clutch petal all the way out to hit the engagement Point.

Note this is my first manual car and I don't ride the car hard, I have good technique (from the feedback from my father and uncles). But I've just becoming worried that my clutch is going out. I'm at 9.5k miles.

[Packofcrows]

Hey buddy, whats up?

The FR-S has a odd clutch pedal. I noticed the same. I tested the BRZ, same as well. Stock clutch, you should press all the way down before engaging. It's not a big issue on 2-6th gears but downshifting or from a stop, 1st gear is where you notice it the most. I'm not sure if it might be a Subaru issue, or norm, but it is my first manual vehicle where the clutch is picky.

Just press it down all the way, check your fluid for your car, and you should be fine. If you do notice a leak/odd behavior, then go take it to mechanic or dealer.

I've put 4-6k miles already, and I'm used to it now.

My problem is going from full stop to first. I stall or jerk a lot, especially when I have loud music and cant hear the engine. Normal behavior on a stock FR-S.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Romanov

So lately (last two days) I feel like my engagement Point on my clutch has changed or moved up a little (I have to travel the petal higher to hit the engagement point) , maybe a half centimeter. To the point it's been noticeable, I have to almost have the clutch petal all the way out to hit the engagement Point.

Note this is my first manual car and I don't ride the car hard, I have good technique (from the feedback from my father and uncles). But I've just becoming worried that my clutch is going out. I'm at 9.5k miles.

I doubt that the clutch is wore out after only 10K miles of normal use.

Clutches do wear and springs in the pressure plate will weaken a bit over time, which may be what you're feeling.

I'd suggest you check the clutch fluid level.

If the difference in engagement point bugs you, you could adjust the clutch.

Another possibility is that the clutch system needs bleeding.

As long as you have "free play" at the top and bottom ..... the clutch won't hurt itself .....


humfrz

[Romanov]

Originally Posted by humfrz

I doubt that the clutch is wore out after only 10K miles of normal use.
Clutches do wear and springs in the pressure plate will weaken a bit over time, which may be what you're feeling.
I'd suggest you check the clutch fluid level.
If the difference in engagement point bugs you, you could adjust the clutch.
Another possibility is that the clutch system needs bleeding.
As long as you have "free play" at the top and bottom ..... the clutch won't hurt itself .....
humfrz

Thanks for you response, I checked my clutch fluid level and it looks close to max. It just felt like a sudden difference for the travel of the pedal, kind of freaked me out (paranoid about burning my clutch). There is still some free play at the top and bottom still, but now that it is so high i might need to do that clutch adjustment.

Originally Posted by Packofcrows

Hey buddy, whats up?
The FR-S has a odd clutch pedal. I noticed the same. I tested the BRZ, same as well. Stock clutch, you should press all the way down before engaging. It's not a big issue on 2-6th gears but downshifting or from a stop, 1st gear is where you notice it the most. I'm not sure if it might be a Subaru issue, or norm, but it is my first manual vehicle where the clutch is picky.
Just press it down all the way, check your fluid for your car, and you should be fine. If you do notice a leak/odd behavior, then go take it to mechanic or dealer.
I've put 4-6k miles already, and I'm used to it now.
My problem is going from full stop to first. I stall or jerk a lot, especially when I have loud music and cant hear the engine. Normal behavior on a stock FR-S.

Hello!, thank you for your response. I try to always push in my clutch all the way when engaging 2-6th. It makes my shift time slower but less chance of me wearing on my clutch. I'd say i'm fairly proficient at driving manual, just paranoid about wearing my clutch down. I can start smoothly, but normally i try to take my foot off the clutch petal as fast as possible (but not to the point where i'm dropping it at every start)

[SamGam]

To check your clutch wear get cruising at about 40mph then shift to 6th and give it full throttle. If your rpm needle zips to redline and you aren't moving any faster, your clutch is wearing. Otherwise maybe the cable linked to the clutch is stretched/worn, not sure about this option maybe someone can chime in.

[fika84]

Originally Posted by SamGam

To check your clutch wear get cruising at about 40mph then shift to 6th and give it full throttle. If your rpm needle zips to redline and you aren't moving any faster, your clutch is wearing. Otherwise maybe the cable linked to the clutch is stretched/worn, not sure about this option maybe someone can chime in.

We don't have a cable linked to the clutch. It's all hydraulic.

[SamGam]

Good to know for future troubleshooting.