97max5spd

I have '97 with about 85k on it. The factory clutch has gotten very hard to push lately. I took it to the dealer and they "lubed" the clutch for me, but it did nothing except make the car smell like WD-40 for two days. The clutch works great otherwise, no slipping or squealing. Any suggestions on how to fix this? This is killing my left knee.

Chunger

iTrader: (1)

If you have sufficient fluid in the CMC, it could mean your throw out bearing is failing...

You could try new fluid in the system if it's really dirty but I don't think it'll help much, though.

Nismo

iTrader: (18)

when parts are worn like the pressureplate,flywheel,clutch disc the pedal gets harder to push since theres more travel for the release bearing and the pressure plate fingers so thats why it seems harder to press.

NYCe MaXiMa

iTrader: (9)

i have the exact same problem
and it's been driving me absolutely crazy for months now.

my clutch grabs very well.. chirp 2nd no problem..
no whine..

but i get some squeal when depressing it.. and letting it out

and it does not engage smoothly.. kind of with pauses.. and very HARD!

my shifter is suffering from the same symptoms.. extremely hard to move. i'm literally fighting it to get into gear at times.. downshift is hard as hell..


i recently flushed my tranny fluid, put in redline synthetic, it aided the downshift problems a little bit, but really no difference..

i don't know what to do..
i don't want to just take a stab in the dark and replace things at random, when they may not even need to be replaced. that can get very costly, very fast..


i am really open for suggestions..

i am going nuts with this driving in rush hour in NYC daily..

NYCe MaXiMa

iTrader: (9)

anyone?

i'm going to be taking it to a mechanic who supposedly knows his **** as far as Manual transmissions go.


but I am still looking for some info on wtf is wrong with my car

if not the heavy clutch

then why is my damn shifter so notchy..

djshawnee

iTrader: (2)

mine is the same way... I drove my friend's 2001 corolla today, and his shifter and clutch were smooth as silk... i was impressed... and i want to know how to get my shifter/clutch like that

NYCe MaXiMa

iTrader: (9)

it may be night and day differnce since it's a corolla..

but i have driven other maximas and their clutch was way softer and shifter just popped right into gear witout any hassle..

i have to wrestle mine and it often doesn't even go into gear now.. my clutch squeaks and it's hard.