What's wrong with my clutch?

[Ching-Hsing Yu]

Hi,

I have a 04 Impreza TS with ~66000 km on it. The clutch assembly was
replaced about several weeks ago due to the infamous clutch shudder.
Ever since the replacement, the clutch pedal will become very loose (a
very long free play), and the engagement point drops near the floor
after driving on the traffic for a while, particularly in a hot day.
This is not the same problem as the sticking cluctch, since the pedal
went all the way back, and I had no problem shifting the gear. What
could be the problem? The dealer has replace the master cylinder but
the problem persists. Please help.

Thank you in advance.

Ching-Hsing Yu

 

[hippo]

Check slave cylinder for leaks, then check if clutch needs bleeding, then
see if pedal free play / engagement height needs adjusting. What's anyone
else think?

 

[Edward Hayes]

Sounds like you nailed it hippo. First check for leaks, then bleed.

 

[Ching-Hsing Yu]

I am sorry. It is a 2002 Impreza TS not 2004.

 

[hippo]

Doesn't matter - hydraulic principles remain the same for anything -
brakes, suspension, steering - it's just the components change shape and
go in different places! If it leaks or it's got air in - you have a
problem. Cheers

 

[David R. Birch]

Check slave cylinder for leaks, then check if clutch needs bleeding,
then see if pedal free play / engagement height needs adjusting.
What's anyone else think?

I had to have my clutch in my '01 OBS rebuilt, and when the dealer was
done, I had to push the pedal all the way down to the floor to fully
disengage the clutch. The dealer said this was normal, but I don't think
so. Who's right? Where is the engagement adjustment?

David

 

[Rick Courtright]

done, I had to push the pedal all the way down to the floor to fully
disengage the clutch. The dealer said this was normal, but I don't think
so. Who's right? Where is the engagement adjustment?

Hi,

This is only a "general rule" since my Subie's old enough to have a
cable operated clutch, so it's not "Subie specific" but it applies to
the hydraulic clutches I've driven from other mfrs. Push the clutch
pedal gently in by hand. You should feel around 1/2" to 3/4" (~12-18 mm)
of free play before it starts to resist. Fire up the engine, put the
gearbox in 1st, and while idling (don't give it any gas) slowly let out
the clutch until you feel the engine start to lose speed and try to
stall. That should be around 1/4 or so of the way to full disengagement.
With a worn clutch it may be more. If it engages much before 1/4, you
may need some adjustment (you've got more freeplay than you should.)
There's probably an adjusting rod for the master cylinder at the back of
the clutch pedal ass'y. You may need to get a book to find where it is
and how to adjust it.

Good luck!

Rick

 

[Henry Paul]

What year is yours? I have a '96 Impreza and mine has a cable clutch.

 

[Rick Courtright]

What year is yours? I have a '96 Impreza and mine has a cable clutch.

Mine's "ancient," a '90!

Oh, yeah, I think I used the wrong term on the "1/4 test": shoulda said
"engagement," IOW, 1/4 up from the floorboard. Sorry!

Rick