[Charlie]

saturday my car wouldnt go into gear, but thanks to SETI i got it working after adjusting the clutch cable. but yesterday (5 days and 206 miles later) i'm having the same problem. I actually started the car in first, (clutch depressed) the bucked (into the curb :evil: )then stalled. so im assuming its the same deal, or maybe even a shot clutch.

so, is there any better way of adjusting the cable other than trial and error? i just turn it a little bit, then try putting it in gear, then again.... 90 Si btw

 

[akirarex]

I have seen it written in a manual that the bottom of the pedal should be x distance to the floor boards.... 2 inches or something like that, and you just adjust the cable until the engage/disengage point is at that height. Sorry I don't know the actual number, I just do it by feel myself. Your plastic nut on the clutch cable can sometimes jump threads and do what you describe. Also a shot clutch only makes it easier to change gears and it probably wouldn't buck if it was shot, it would slip.

 

[SETI20]

Adjusting the clutch is more of a "seat of the pants" ordeal on older cars.

It sounds to me like you're experiencing symptoms of the clutch starting to go out. No biggie... it's not the end of the world.

 

[Krix]

mine did that. i would have to adjust it a little bit every few months. then one day i was shifting to 3rd gear and the cable broke :? Got a new one still in the bag for $20 at a junkyard

 

[stick]

Sometimes the threading on the plastic adjustment end starts to wear and the clutch cable slips out of adjustment on it's own.

 

[Charlie]

well, i just drove it 120 something miles home only using the clutch like 5 times 8) so what if i ran like a dozen stop signs (well, rolling stops). anyway, monday morning i'll replace the cable, if that doesnt fix it then she'll be going to the mechanic for a clutch job

thanks guys! (especially you, SETI!!!)

 

[SETI20]

Hey I didn't tell you to run stop signs... I told you to rev-match the sucker! :lol:

 

[Charlie]

Hey I didn't tell you to run stop signs... I told you to rev-match the sucker! :lol:

lol, its hard to rev match when you're not moving!!

 

[red89si]

This secondary cable adjustment is something I need to do as well, this is the one on the tranny correct? And to answer another question, which way tightens it and which way loosens it??

 

[dohcrxl]

lefty loosy righty tighty

loosen til there's a half inch freeplay at the top of your clutch pedal's travel

 

[Paul]

a little off topic here but my the spring on my clutch pedal snapped off the other day when i was driving and scared the **** out of me but other than that it still works fine.. other than recently its ben kinda hard to get into first gear occasionaly

 

[akirarex]

When your tranny is worn a bit it may be harder to get into gears, don't try to get it into first when you are moving fast (above 5mph), and if it won't go into first immediately don't force it, just put the car in neutral, let the clutch out then push it back in and then shift into first.

 

[joshman]

When your tranny is worn a bit it may be harder to get into gears, don't try to get it into first when you are moving fast (above 5mph), and if it won't go into first immediately don't force it, just put the car in neutral, let the clutch out then push it back in and then shift into first.

My little brother has a problem with this. He just got a 300zx about a month ago and he is always trying to force that thing into first, way before the stop sign. It is brutal watching him try to drive that car.

 

[dohcya]

I only shift down into first gear when my car is completely stopped. If im comin to a stop I stay in second, push in clutch, slow to a stop, then shift into 1st completely. I've always been under the impression that there's no need to shift DOWN into first gear when moving like that. Dunno, guess you could match revs in the down shift but why do that heh....

 

[Charlie]

ok, so i gave up and paid a mechanic to do it. 400 bucks for a new clutch and resurfaced flywheel and labor. not that bad i guess.

so now i want to lower where the pedal starts to engage. so... which way do i turn the adjusting nut? its not gonna be crazy particular like it was before when the clutch was shot will it?

 

[dohcrxl]

Charlie, turning the adjusting knob isn't going to change where the clutch engages. It's only for adjusting freeplay. I've never fiddled around with it so I don't know if you can even make the adjustment you want on a cable type clutch. In fact I don't believe you can because the cable just simply hooks to the clutch pedal. I know that on most hydraulic type systems there is a way to adjust pedal height on the back/underside of the pedal assembly.

EDIT: What I mean about not being able to adjust where in the pedal travel the clutch engages is based on keeping the correct amount of freeplay. Of course if you turn the adjusting nut 20 turns counter clockwise the clutch will engage right at the bottom of the travel but that will leave you with a retarded(huge) amount of freeplay giving you a sloppy feel to the clutch.