Hello to all. I recently noticed that my 00 civic 5 speed was leaking brake fluid. It turned out to be a bad clutch slave cylinder, replaced it and all was fine, until I noticed that the play in the clutch was too short.... lemme explain
When I put it in 1st, as I disengage the clutch, it only has about 1/2 inch of window(correct comparison???) to grab the gear, if I give it too much gas or not enough, it jerks as if I had just pulled my foot off the clutch quickly. Same thing for 2-4th gears. I have to ease off the clutch very slowly or it will jerk. Before replacing the clutch cylinder I dont recall it being so...... "wound up tight" I had a good 1-1 1/2 inches to release and adjust with gas, now I have to be real careful or it will jerk, even make like a clunk noise. Tranny feels solid, and clutch feels stiff, in a good way.

Is this a common problem, easy fix? Can it simply be "unwound" or something to let me shift easier? Thanks

 

Rebleed the hydraulic system and also adjust the clutch pedal.

 

Yeah, sounds like you've got air in the lines. Classic symptoms.

 

How long have you owned the car?

To me it sounds like the clutch pedal was adjusted down to adapt to the loss of pedal pressure via the slave cylinder leak.

I would also suggest re bleeding the line and check for any other leaks then adjust the clutch pedal back. You should have about a half inch or so of "freeplay" right at the very top.

 

I just bought the car a month ago. Im not too good with mechanics so I will be taking this to the guy who installed the slave cylinder. Thanks, i will post results