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New clutch catches very low

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Old May 17, 2013 | 06:29 PM
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Default New clutch catches very low

hi guys jus got a new clutch installed by a shop today. When i picked it up and drove off i notice it doesnt catch unless i depress the clutch all the way to the floor or like 1 inch b4 the floor.

Before it was halfway and i can shift already. I had to move the seat up so i can depress the clutch all the way. Which makes it uncomfortable to drive.

any thoughts on whats wrong or is it normal??
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Old May 17, 2013 | 10:38 PM
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You should always be depressing the clutch all the way down when shifting IMO.

Also as you drive more, and more (especially the harder) the catch point will come further up, or you can adjust it. Completely normal.
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Old May 17, 2013 | 11:39 PM
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If you can't depress the clutch all the way, you were sitting too far from the wheel anyways.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 06:05 AM
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I always find myself not pressing the clutch all the way down. When i notice, i only push about half way down and all is fine, but when it was new i had to push it all the way to the floor for a couple days. Like the above says it will change over time. Only put one clutch in so don't know a time frame at all.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 11:44 AM
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You can adjust the master cylinder rod to change that.
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Old May 18, 2013 | 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Emski
If you can't depress the clutch all the way, you were sitting too far from the wheel anyways.
i have long arms for my body so if i sit too close i feel like those old people sitting 2inches from the wheel with there arms bent. When the catch was in the middle it felt perfect
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Old May 18, 2013 | 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by bmyles
You can adjust the master cylinder rod to change that.
how long do you think that would take? I left my car overnight at the shop and dont really wanna do that again
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Old May 19, 2013 | 11:49 AM
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There is a How-To on here. Not hard at all.
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Old May 19, 2013 | 01:37 PM
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Get the RJM clutch adjustment kit.
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Old May 19, 2013 | 07:21 PM
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Originally Posted by dcains
Get the RJM clutch adjustment kit.
+1 I love mine!!!!
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Old May 20, 2013 | 05:44 AM
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Adjusting the clutch to engage halfway through the travel is a risky thing to do. If you ever push the clutch rod all the way in there is a chance of damaging the master or slave cylinder since it already would be at full travel with the pedal halfway down.

On top of that with the short travel (only half) you have a chance of not allowing the pressure plate to fully clamp down on the clutch disk and burn the clutch up. Just adjust the clutch the way it's supposed to be and drive it that way or you'll destroy the clutch fast.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 03:29 PM
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Always push the clutch pedal in to the floor when you change gears. You will lower the life expectancy of the clutch if you do not. This is clutch driving 101.
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Old May 20, 2013 | 03:33 PM
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Originally Posted by 818dbz
i have long arms for my body so if i sit too close i feel like those old people sitting 2inches from the wheel with there arms bent. When the catch was in the middle it felt perfect
Unless you are built like a gorilla, chances are you need a little less gansta lean in your seat so you can push the pedal to the floor
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Old May 21, 2013 | 05:53 PM
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ya, I have really short legs and long arms and I don't have any issues being "too close". I'm 5'9" with 27" leg length and a total armspan of 6'2".

So with only 27" length pants I have pretty short legs and I don't feel too close to the wheel.
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Old May 21, 2013 | 06:34 PM
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Originally Posted by binder
ya, I have really short legs and long arms and I don't have any issues being "too close". I'm 5'9" with 27" leg length and a total armspan of 6'2".

So with only 27" length pants I have pretty short legs and I don't feel too close to the wheel.
Is this you http://media4.s-nbcnews.com/j/msnbc/...p.grid-4x2.jpg
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Old May 21, 2013 | 06:47 PM
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Old May 22, 2013 | 10:51 AM
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Originally Posted by bmyles
yep, easier to reach through the cage bars and grab bananas with these long arms!
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Old May 22, 2013 | 05:41 PM
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so op is built like a chimp?
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Old May 27, 2013 | 08:04 AM
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There is some bad info given here, The clutch should be fully released by half pedal, Nobody pushes the clutch all the way to the floor during normal driving.

If your clutch is starting to engage right off the floor this is VERY bad for the transmission syncros.

Aftermarket clutches do not always release as well as the stock lighter clutch kits and will require adjusting the master cylinder rod at the pedal.

A new clutch will release low for a little while and should rise as the clutch breaks in and the clutch disk itself flattens out. This is somewhat what the break in time is for.

A new clutch should be adjusted to release as good as possible when new then readjusted once it is broken in completely. You will not damage the clutch, master cyl or slave by adjusting the pedal correctly, There is plenty of stroke in the master and slave cylinder to do this. You just don't want to adjust the master rod too tight and you must retain a little free play in the clevis pin when the pedal is in the full up position.

In all reality the higher the release point the easier it is on the trans as you will be getting as much clutch release as possible when shifting and will improve/ease fast shifts and also save your trans synchros from premature wear.
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Old May 27, 2013 | 08:32 AM
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Originally Posted by CuztompartZ
Nobody pushes the clutch all the way to the floor during normal driving.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+to+drive+a+manual

Saying Nobody does something, and saying Everyone shouldn't do something is two different things.

Last edited by Calidank223; May 27, 2013 at 08:40 AM.
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