Alright guys...I've got a little problem...the clutch isn't quite working the way it's supposed to. Here are my problems:

The clutch typically grabs ~2.5" from the floor, but recently the clutch has decided that occationally it wanted to engage ~0.5" from the floor making clutch engagement tricky at times. I have only noticed this when starting from a dead stop, it may be doing it in the higher gears, but I have not noticed it.

The clutch only does this once in a while...yesterday I went on a 400 mile road trip, this happened 3-4 times. I have not been able to reproduce the problem, and have not yet noticed a pattern to when it happens...anyone have an idea?

Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Austin

 

How many miles are on it? A broken spring could cause the clutch to engage sooner as it would narrow the space between the clutch and pressure plate/flywheel if it got stuck in between.

 

~25,000
8,000 of those with ~190whp

 

Broken spring is my guess. Does it some times not want to engage when u are in neutral at a stop and the pedal is pushed to the floor? If so I'd say 90% it's a broken spring. Also make sure you got enough clutch fluid and what not.

 

could be a leaky master or slave clutch cylinder. try holding the clutch in for long periods (20-30secs) does this seem to make the clutch grab lower? if so, it could be something to do within the clutch actuation system. have you tried bleeding the clutch fluid?

 

Clutch fluid replaced ~1000 miles ago with Honda brake fluid per Acura recommendations...I wasn't getting the clutch pedal feel that I was used to, it had become quite mushy, and with the replacement of the fluid the pedal feel was much better. I have inspected the fluid level everytime I check the oil, which is everytime I get gas and the fluid is the same as when I left it after flushing the old fluid out. The nipple on the slave cylinder is dry and does not have a residue from any leakage from there...

 

you might want to try bleeding it again to see if there is some air in there. also, by leaks, I don't mean external, but internal to the units themselves. same thing happens to my mazda truck clutch when the slave or mater wears out. If I leave the clutch in for long periods of time, the clutch will grab lower and lower till I "pump" it a few times. fluid is leaking past the internal seals and losing line pressure allowing the clutch to catch at a lower place in the travel.

does it make a difference in yours if you keep the clutch pedal in for long periods?

 

I have not noticed a difference.

 

wow, i have the exact same problem w/ my gsr clutch (90K miles)

i would go thru 1 week of hell w/ my clutch, then 1 week of joy, and another week of hell..

right now it's working smooth like butter, but who knows for how long...

i'm gonna ty holding it for long periods of time in order to see what's up...

 

DAMN! i have the same EXACT problem....but mine, i just installed new ACT HD clutch. but when i look at the pedal, the clutch master cylinder is leaking. we tried bleeding it and still happens.

TOnite, im ordering a new Clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder. Hopefully that will fix it. Im just scared to be if its my throw out bearing (the NSK that came with my clutch kit i heard is not good)

 

I have the same problem on my ACT Extreme. I think it's a broken spring too. Sooner than later I won't be able to get the car in gear anymore. I have heard that this is a common problem for Honda style clutches.

CB

 

is the spring you talking about is inside the tranny? do you have to take the tranny apart in order to replace it?

coz my clutch is practically brand new with 900 miles (ACT HD clutch kit)

 

Austin, Maybe that was the crunching feeling we felt before the fluid change? The Spring?

 

man, my clutch just died..

drove to work fine, then when i tried going out for lunch, my car wouldn't shift into 1st from neutral. so i tried starting the car in 1st already (which usually works), except this time the car just launch forward like i dumped the clutch

so while driving around in 1st, i still can't shift into 2nd, even i press the clutch all the way down, it feels like i didn't press on it at all (no neutral effect).

had to drive my car home in 2nd all the way (had to stall/turn off the car every tiem i had to stop, and restart in 2nd again)

is there any chance, any chance at all, that it could be fautly clutch master cylinder? mine has a plastic piece floating around when there shouldn't be...

just wanna know b4 i go out n buy a new clutch...and then find out it's only the MC


[Modified by whiteGSR, 2:07 PM 3/19/2002]

 

anybody ever figure out what this kinda problem is?

 

yes, clutch master cylinder

 

I have had two clutches fail with a broken spring, the second one just five days ago. More accurately, a bit of metal near the spring. The first one was at 27k miles and replaced under warranty, the second one was at 74k miles. I have the part so I can put up a picture of what broke if anyone is interested.

I replaced it with an Exedy, hoping it might last longer than the OE design. This seems like very short lifespan to me considering I don't treat the clutch badly. The dealer guys said 60-90k for Integras (not just ITR) was not unusual though.

 

[QUOTE]you might want to try bleeding it again to see if there is some air in there. [QUOTE]

also, check your fluid, if it is all black and murky, time for a fluid change. a friend (that shall remain nameless) stopped by one day with his itr and told me he needed me to install a clutch. turned out, the fluid was full of air and needed a change in the worst way. it looked like oil....after that, all fixed. unless you have some odd noises when you push the clutch in, chances are it is opnly fluid related. good luck.