Clutch Issues
07-07-2017, 01:00 AM
#1
Registered
Thread Starter
Clutch Issues
Here's the story.
I'm driving along in 3rd gear about 30mph stop sign ahead slow down go to 2nd when I hear a grinding sound, I have the clutch all the way down so I'm like wtf. I leave it in neutral keep on costing till I get to the stop sign. Then I try to switch to 1st. Literaly impposible I sit their for 5min pressing down the clutch tryna push the damn thing into 1st gear. Finally works and I go into a sub division park and try and find out what's up.
When the car is off I can switch gears
When the car is on I cannot even if I press down on the clutch peddle
If I turn the car off switch to 1st them turn it on I can drive the car but I can not switch gears.
This means transmission is prolly fine but something with the clutch is bad. The clutch weather the peddle is being pushed or not will not disengage which prevents me from switch gears.
What's the problem why is this happening?
Is this something wrong with the clutch? Or the system that moves it?
What happens when you damage a clutch? Should u still be able to engage and disengage it? Aren't damage clutches just loose their grip?
So instead is this an issue with the hydraulics? Such as the slave and master cylinder?
the mechanic told me to replace the clutch but he doesn't actually go under to check the status of the clutch and a 2004 rx8 clutch aint cheap.
The issue arose very suddenly. I was driving fine one 2nd and the next bam it was fucked.
One of my friends recommended me to check the brake fluid which I'm going to do tomorrow.
If that isn't the solution how easy is it to check the master/slave cylinder and or replace em? Could it be something else? Or do I really need to replace the clutch?
Thanks
2004 rx8
82k milles
I'm driving along in 3rd gear about 30mph stop sign ahead slow down go to 2nd when I hear a grinding sound, I have the clutch all the way down so I'm like wtf. I leave it in neutral keep on costing till I get to the stop sign. Then I try to switch to 1st. Literaly impposible I sit their for 5min pressing down the clutch tryna push the damn thing into 1st gear. Finally works and I go into a sub division park and try and find out what's up.
When the car is off I can switch gears
When the car is on I cannot even if I press down on the clutch peddle
If I turn the car off switch to 1st them turn it on I can drive the car but I can not switch gears.
This means transmission is prolly fine but something with the clutch is bad. The clutch weather the peddle is being pushed or not will not disengage which prevents me from switch gears.
What's the problem why is this happening?
Is this something wrong with the clutch? Or the system that moves it?
What happens when you damage a clutch? Should u still be able to engage and disengage it? Aren't damage clutches just loose their grip?
So instead is this an issue with the hydraulics? Such as the slave and master cylinder?
the mechanic told me to replace the clutch but he doesn't actually go under to check the status of the clutch and a 2004 rx8 clutch aint cheap.
The issue arose very suddenly. I was driving fine one 2nd and the next bam it was fucked.
One of my friends recommended me to check the brake fluid which I'm going to do tomorrow.
If that isn't the solution how easy is it to check the master/slave cylinder and or replace em? Could it be something else? Or do I really need to replace the clutch?
Thanks
2004 rx8
82k milles
07-07-2017, 06:11 AM
#4
When you push the clutch with the car on, does the sound of the transmission change? These cars make a distinctive rattling sound when the clutch is engaged in neutral (some people think it's a problem... it's not). If that sound doesn't go away when you press the pedal, the clutch isn't disengaging at all and your hydraulics are shot. If it does go away, then it's not disengaging enough, which points to partial failure of hydraulics or adjustment problem.
To me hydraulics would be the first step, your mechanic should be able to check them easily.
It doesn't sound like typical clutch failure. But if your throwout bearing fell apart, then that would do it, and suddenly, like you describe. You *can* replace just the bearing, but you have to take off the clutch to do it, so it might be worth replacing the whole thing. There is no way to examine the clutch without removing it, so don't expect him to be able to diagnose it without some work.
By all means check the brake fluid level, it's in a reservoir just in front of the driver under the hood.
To me hydraulics would be the first step, your mechanic should be able to check them easily.
It doesn't sound like typical clutch failure. But if your throwout bearing fell apart, then that would do it, and suddenly, like you describe. You *can* replace just the bearing, but you have to take off the clutch to do it, so it might be worth replacing the whole thing. There is no way to examine the clutch without removing it, so don't expect him to be able to diagnose it without some work.
By all means check the brake fluid level, it's in a reservoir just in front of the driver under the hood.