Clutch wearing out?

[bjmills]

Not a DIY... but a technical question...

I *think* my clutch is nearing the end of its life (after 122,000km) because the engagement point seems a lot higher than it used to. Is this an expected symptom? What can I expect in the future? My guess is more and more slippage. I should still be able to shift gears, I think... but will the slippage get worse to the point where I'm no longer moving?

I'd appreciate hearing your failure stories...

Brad

 

[NSXGMS]

122km is well within the normal range of life expectancy for an OEM NSX clutch.

I've had several clutches go and I can't say I ever noticed the engagement point change.

When it starts to slip it will get worse rapidly. You'll be able to shift gears fine but when you try to accelerate the clutch discs will just spin on the friction material and not transfer the torque to the drivetrain. It's like your accelerating in neutral--the engine will rev but the car won't move.

A slipping clutch can be very dangerous on a hill. You need more torque to keep the car moving uphill. The more torque, however, the more slippage--possibly causing you to roll backwards in gear and accelerator down.

As long as there's no slippage you should be OK. The instant you notice slippage (you'll notice it at first under hard acceleration) you've got about 100 miles or so left before it gets almost undriveable.

 

[rbirling]

I don't recommend it, but just FYI -- I drove mine daily for about 6 months or more (don't exactly remember) after I noticed the clutch starting to slip. I'm just a procrastinator, but I was amazed it never completely gave out.

 

[Sulley]

Mine started to slip in 2nd during hard acceleration. Progressively worsened.

 

[bjmills]

Thanks for the responses folks. I'm definitely not slipping much (if at all) right now. Although I have been noticing a "low spot" when I am accelerating hard, somewhere between 3k and 4k rpm. The power seems to fall away for a second. Possible slippage??

 

[Arshad]

Brad: That's exactly how mine was too, and I decided to not worry about it too much because it didn't seem too bad. It stayed like that for a little bit, and then it progressively started getting worse and worse. The thing is that once it starts going where you notice it from a normal launch, it will go downhill REALLY fast. Even though I knew it was slipping a bit, I decided to drive it one day and I ended up having to flatbed the car to the dealership because it died completely -- zero engagement. Not fun.

 

[NSXGMS]

Although I have been noticing a "low spot" when I am accelerating hard, somewhere between 3k and 4k rpm. The power seems to fall away for a second. Possible slippage??

Yes, very likely early stage slippage. As soon as it's more noticeable, take it to the mechanic. It will get worse every day after it first becomes noticeable. You'll feel it best in 1st or 2nd gear when you really get on it like when you enter an onramp.

After 4 or 5 days it can be undriveable (see Arshad). Get it serviced ASAP. I recommend the OEM clutch or the RPS.

G

 

[bjmills]

Sounds good - I was thinking of staying OEM myself. I'll get the parts all lined up so when it's time it'll just be a matter of arranging a shop to do it...

 

[95 CRUZER]

A new clutch will engage when the pedal comes off the floor board. As the clutch wares the engagement point will rise, that is to say the engagement point will be at the top not the bottom. So if the clutch engages when the pedal is at the top or end of it's travel, it's time to start thinking about replacing the clutch, pres.plate, & t.o. bearing.

 

[sjones]

A new clutch will engage when the pedal comes off the floor board. As the clutch wares the engagement point will rise, that is to say the engagement point will be at the top not the bottom. So if the clutch engages when the pedal is at the top or end of it's travel, it's time to start thinking about replacing the clutch, pres.plate, & t.o. bearing.

Are you absolutely sure about this? When my 91 nsx had its new clutch put on, it was doing just that. Engaging from the midway point and up versus closer to the floorboard. If this is true, then I needed a new clutch the day after a new one was put on.

 

[nis350]

A new clutch will engage when the pedal comes off the floor board. As the clutch wares the engagement point will rise, that is to say the engagement point will be at the top not the bottom. So if the clutch engages when the pedal is at the top or end of it's travel, it's time to start thinking about replacing the clutch, pres.plate, & t.o. bearing.

Not sure about the engage point. I read many posts indicated that the engage point for our cars is fairly high.

 

[95 CRUZER]

Thats the way it was explaned to me by an acura tech. Also the way my clutch acted when it way nearing it's demise. R.I.P. old clutch.
New unit seems to engage about a third of the way off the floor.

 

[splitz]

Crap. Mine is engaging high too. Guess I need to start saving some pennies for a new clutch :frown:

 

[nsxtasy]

A new clutch will engage when the pedal comes off the floor board.

Absolutely not true.

The symptom of a clutch wearing out is when it starts to slip. Not when the pedal engages high, which is normal on the NSX, even when the clutch is new.

 

[splitz]

The symptom of a clutch wearing out is when it starts to slip. Not when the pedal engages high, which is normal on the NSX, even when the clutch is new.

I dont have any slipping, so I really hope that's the case!

 

[Chinonsx02]

what about when im in first and try to put it into neutral sometimes its hard to shift from first to second and sometimes nuetral.