Clutch adjustment

[rml605]

I've been better with my car, but I still botch too many. My clutch point seems like it's WAY too low. I understand there's plenty of low points, but my clutch is also very short so I really have no choice other than be perfect timing or else i'll feel the shift badly. How does one go about this? Is it a pricey job? Bad idea to do so?

[MFan]

What do you mean by way low? Does it catch at the clutch stop? or about an inch off from the stop? Most people like the low catch point and has gone out of their way to make it that way. You want to do the opposite? I actually adjusted my clutch stop such that my clutch catches within about 1.5 inch off of the clutch stop. To me, it's the high catch point that's difficult to drive smooth.

[rml605]

What do you mean by way low? Does it catch at the clutch stop? or about an inch off from the stop? Most people like the low catch point and has gone out of their way to make it that way. You want to do the opposite? I actually adjusted my clutch stop such that my clutch catches within about 1.5 inch off of the clutch stop. To me, it's the high catch point that's difficult to drive smooth.

No, I hate high clutches.

It's just my clutch is short as is and then has a low point like literally a half inch off floor.

[MFan]

With a catch point half an inch off from the floor is actually really good and ideal. I wished I can make my car catch like that. It would make rev match much easier. Not sure why you would want to raise it. I guessed everyone's style is different. Sorry that I can't be much help with adjustments.

[bk7794]

I remember this RSX I sat in had an engagement point really low.

[theholycow]

Most people like the low catch point and has gone out of their way to make it that way.

From what I've read most people do NOT like the low catch point, although I think I would.

[daleadbull]

Most people like the low catch point and has gone out of their way to make it that way.

From what I've read most people do NOT like the low catch point, although I think I would.

The only disadvantage I can think of to a really low catch point would be that it would be easier to release the clutch too quick causing a jerky shift. But if you can train yourself to release slower through that 1st inch then let go normally, I think you should be fine.

I think my clutch catches about 1/3 of the way up, I guess that's kinda high. This makes launching a little harder I think.

[bk7794]

Most people like the low catch point and has gone out of their way to make it that way.

From what I've read most people do NOT like the low catch point, although I think I would.

The only disadvantage I can think of to a really low catch point would be that it would be easier to release the clutch too quick causing a jerky shift. But if you can train yourself to release slower through that 1st inch then let go normally, I think you should be fine.

I think my clutch catches about 1/3 of the way up, I guess that's kinda high. This makes launching a little harder I think.

Another disadvantage is that if you screw up you could grind a gear too.

[rml605]

You guys are right with the disadvantages. I've encountered all of them.

It's good on hills as you'll get moving quicker and launches, but it can be frustrating on normal shifts. I keep flying forward I believe, which means I think im releasing to fast. It's tough with this clutch point because you MUST have your timing down perfect. You don't get on fast enough and you'll jerk, if you get on too quickly you'll burn your clutch. There's really no margin for error with this small clutch. My former boss who use to be a professional race car driver and is a master at stick, told me before he'll test drive my car and help me so I think i'll go through with that.

[daleadbull]

You guys are right with the disadvantages. I've encountered all of them.

It's good on hills as you'll get moving quicker and launches, but it can be frustrating on normal shifts. I keep flying forward I believe, which means I think im releasing to fast. It's tough with this clutch point because you MUST have your timing down perfect. You don't get on fast enough and you'll jerk, if you get on too quickly you'll burn your clutch. There's really no margin for error with this small clutch. My former boss who use to be a professional race car driver and is a master at stick, told me before he'll test drive my car and help me so I think i'll go through with that.

That's a good idea, get an outside opinion.

And I can imagine what you're saying about it being difficult to smooth out shifts during normal shifting. Those of us with higher engaging clutches can get away with releasing the clutch in one smooth motion, but you might have to do the 2 step. Release smoothly to engagement point and make sure to be be slow through the zone then let out smoothly.

[rml605]

You guys are right with the disadvantages. I've encountered all of them.

It's good on hills as you'll get moving quicker and launches, but it can be frustrating on normal shifts. I keep flying forward I believe, which means I think im releasing to fast. It's tough with this clutch point because you MUST have your timing down perfect. You don't get on fast enough and you'll jerk, if you get on too quickly you'll burn your clutch. There's really no margin for error with this small clutch. My former boss who use to be a professional race car driver and is a master at stick, told me before he'll test drive my car and help me so I think i'll go through with that.

That's a good idea, get an outside opinion.

And I can imagine what you're saying about it being difficult to smooth out shifts during normal shifting. Those of us with higher engaging clutches can get away with releasing the clutch in one smooth motion, but you might have to do the 2 step. Release smoothly to engagement point and make sure to be be slow through the zone then let out smoothly.

If I tru and smooth it and release slowly, I just end up burning clutch.

I think it's a matter of just perfect timing and getting on gas quickly.

[ClutchFork]

I've been better with my car, but I still botch too many. My clutch point seems like it's WAY too low. I understand there's plenty of low points, but my clutch is also very short so I really have no choice other than be perfect timing or else i'll feel the shift badly. How does one go about this? Is it a pricey job? Bad idea to do so?

What kind of car? Does it have an adjustment to the clutch? Did you replace any clutch components recently? Did they turn the flywheel in the process?

I just had all new parts and hydraulics. My engagement is about 1 inch off the floor but sometimes seems to begin only half inch off. It drives fine though. It was on the floor until I also replaced the clutch master cylinder which was going bad.

My clutch changeout and pedal height issues are described here:
http://www.standardshift.com/forum/view ... =5&t=19067

[Rope-Pusher]

Dog intended that the engagement point be 35 mm off the downstop, as measured at the center of the pedal pad

[Bill B]

Probably showing my age here, but I remember adjusting the clutch on my dad's old 4 speed 78 Chevette that later became mine. I should have kept the Maverick and bypassed the Chevette. It has some type of C-clip that held the clutch cable in place. You simply took the c-clip off and tightened or loosened the clutch cable. The clutch in that car was crap, but easy to adjust. I remember it also had a sealed air filter and you had to buy the whole metal casing and all when you wanted to replace the air filter.

[Rope-Pusher]

Probably showing my age here, but I remember adjusting the clutch on my dad's old 4 speed 78 Chevette that later became mine. I should have kept the Maverick and bypassed the Chevette. It has some type of C-clip that held the clutch cable in place. You simply took the c-clip off and tightened or loosened the clutch cable. The clutch in that car was crap, but easy to adjust. I remember it also had a sealed air filter and you had to buy the whole metal casing and all when you wanted to replace the air filter.

I adjusted my younger brother's Shove-it clutch.

My Vega had a similar, sealed air filter,....until I pried-open the seam, scraped-out the element and threw-in an element from a 2bbl 307 V8.