My clutch is starting to feel "rubbery" and takes more effort to push down when I 'm auto-xing. Once I come back to the pits it gets back to normal after a few pumps or after a minute or two. It only happens when I redline 1st before shifting to 2nd or after a launch from 3K RPM. I 'm thinking either the clutch is on its way out or maybe I need to replace the clutch fluid? The car only has 28k mi. on it but it's been auto-x raced for almost 3 yrs. with some semi-hard launches.
Now the clutch has its own M/C and separate fluid correct (isn't the same as brake fluid?)? I wonder if this could be a clutch m/c problem? The clutch seems to be fine when on the street. It's only when I race that the clutch gets "hard" so I was thinking maybe the fluid gets too hot and needs replacement.. Any thoughts or advice are appreciated.

 

anyone?

 

It's probably the clutch. The clutch fluid is not exposed to any heat.

Is your clutch a stock clutch? All Honda clutches have clips that clamp on to the diaphram and pressure ring. Sometimes on lauches they tweek and the rub on the cover of the plate and make squealing noises. This may be the reason why your pedal is rubbery because the clips are rubbing on the cover. I post pictures of what the clips look like. If I forget remind me.

 

thanks Rocket. I have the original OEM clutch. So are you saying this "rubbing" is normal? It doesn't happen all the time. I usually notice it right after I come back from an (auto-x) run into the pits. A minute or so later or if depress the clutch 3-4 times, it goes away and the clutch feels pretty normal. You said it might be the clutch. Do you mean the clutch disc is just worn out? Will an ACT clutch last longer than 30k mi. and endure more and harder launches? I 'm just looking for longevity.. The car only has an extra 12whp (152.0) from bolt ons and I thought the OEM clutch should last longer than this since I only launch at around 2500-3K PRMs when I auto-x and at the street I take it easy and don't drag race.
Then again I see new WRX's, Z28s, transams (2yr old ones) and many other cars going through clutches a lot sooner than me with less mileage and they only auto-x, so I don't feel too bad. Maybe I can finish the season with this clutch and worry about it in the fall or next spring..

 

No problem.

It's the clips on the pressure plate. It sounds like tweaked clips on the pressure plate since you said all it takes is a couple drepressions of the clutch pedal to clear the problem.

I'll post a pic for you. I just have to get the pic off of my laptop computer.

 

The arrow points to the clip which can sometimes rub on the pressure plate cover.

 

thanks Rocket! Nice detailed pic. Is this bad or "normal"? Does it mean my clutch could be ok and I can drive with the clip like this for a while before a more serious problem surfaces?

 

You should be okay but it is a sign that you need a clutch that is "clippless". Action, ACT, and some HondaClutches(Herson) are clipless.