I know this is probably a stupid question. But i was wondering when you should change the clutch. The only problems im having now is the throw out bearing. It is also a little jerky but that is probably my driving (strainded some ligaments and tendons in my knee). Anyone have any input for me? Thanks.

B

 

I drove mine 'til it died. Clutch pedal would go almost all the way to the floor with no resistance until the last couple inches of travel. It died soonafter, like within a week.

(Not a whole lot of help, but I'm a noob trying to get to 15 posts... )

 

How does the clutch perform if someone else drives the car, who knows how to drive a manual transmission? I know your injury affects you.

If you know the throw-out bearing is toast, then obviously the entire clutch job should be done at the same time, ie. pressure plate, TOB, clutch disc.

How do you know the probem is the throw-out bearing? Could it possibly have something to do with the master or slave cylinder?

 

My dad drove the car and said it was fine except for the throw out bearing. I know that master and slave cylinders have never been changed. In fact the whole clutch setup has never been changed (96.5k). So i know the time is comming to change it, but i am about to go on a trip which will put more than 2k on my car in a week and i dont want it to fail during the trip. So what is your suggestion? Since the only problem i am having is the TOB should i leave it and wait. Or should i shell the cash and get it changed?

B

 

Is your TO bearing just making noise? I drove my clutch until it slipped beyond driveability. When you say it's "bad", is it failing? Or as I said, just making noise?

 

If you know how to drive without riding the clutch, and you don't launch it, the clutch will go 200k easy. If you ever have the tranny removed for any work, be sure to get the clutch inspected.

Drivers who aren't good at staying out of the clutch or who hover the car on an uphill will wear it out in 10-20k.

Dave

 

Ok, what i want to know is how much labor is involved in changing the clutch? I'm pretty good at this stuff and so are some of my friends but messing with a trans. stand and unbolting the trans from the engine and all that stuff probly isnt something i'd want to get into. Good info in this thread even though i have a 5th gen with 82k miles- clutch works fine and feels fine but its just one of those things i worry about, since i can get them for 110-130 bucks so i'm guessing all the $$ is in the labor.

 

Mine is at 140k+, but when the wife drives it, I can hear/feel it starting to slip as she slips it a bit too much... so while I'm in this weekend replacing axles and other things I decided to do the clutch to. Ordered the 5th Gen clutch bits recommended in various posts for a bit more gripping power, with no negative drivability issues... my TOB has been making noise for a while now... my father's '97 Maxima didn't even make it past 100k on his original clutch... but then again he was letting my younger brother drive it to college in town (he's been racking up a lot of mileage on it and isn't very easy on the car either).

Cost me ~$200 in parts to do the 5th Gen Clutch Upgrade w/ TOB included (Disc & Plate were ~$170, TOB I don't remember, but it was like $20 or so I think...)

 

Just went driving/riding. No slipping TOB only making noise. Other drive noticed no slipping and said other than the TOB it was fine that i just want to keep an eye on it and make sure it doesnt go down hill fast

B

 

The best quick test to see if a clutch is on the way out is the following: Get going about 35-40mph, and then shift into 5th gear. While coasting along at that speed, floor it, and see if your RPMs jump. This situation puts a lot of stress on the clutch, and if the RPMs jump, its time for a new one. Other than your TOB going to crap, I wouldn't replace it if the car passes this test. Also, check and make sure your clutch master cylinder is full.

I have 139,000 miles on the original clutch in my car, and its still going strong, (And believe me it gets a workout) so depending on your driving style you might have awhile before the clutch reaches the end of its life.

 

I would change the TOB and if you decide to change it, might as well upgrade and get a clutch. I just got myself a stage 1 and a TOB from autozone so I can have peace of mind can't wait to put it

 

i noticed everytime i floored my car the rpms would shoot up, then drop down and slowly rise. thats when i figured it was time for a new one.

 

when it slips in any gear, for example, going in 4th gear at like 30mph, floor it, if the engine speed raises but the car goes no where, the clutch is slipping, also, if you have the transmission out for anything, that would be a good time to do it, since the parts are relatively cheap

 

I have heard people going WELL over 100k miles on their stock clutches. But a good figure i have heard is anywhere from 80k+ to replace the clutch. If short on cash, your better off replacing it when you know for SURE that its gone. If your like me, if its not performing the same way when it was new, you will want to replace it...

just my .02

 

My stock clutch made it all the way to 160k due to having an old guy driving it to 155k... one day around 160k I shifted to 5th around 35 mph and there was a little slip, so I decided to take it in instead of drive with it that way. The whole clutch kit - disc, throw-out & alignment bearings, and pressure plate - cost me about $150 on eBay. It then cost 6 hours of $65/hr. labor for my mechanic to get it in there for me. Not a very pleasant bill to look at more than once, so I would recommend doing it all if you are paying to have the transmission dropped and whatnot. I got a few other things at that time, including a stainless steel clutch line which cost $20 and was cheap to put in, so think of anything else you might want done.

 

I don't think I would want to drive for long on a bad TOB.
Maybe the Max one is better designed, but I had the TOB fail completely on my MG Midget while I was waiting to join traffic. You can guess what happened. The TOB failed and the car launched itself into the traffic flow... made a real mess of my car and someone elses. Ruined my day. And on another car, the TOB failed and I had to drive 120 miles with no clutch. It can be done but fun, it isn't.