It's very hard to shift to first and reverse, what is the problem?

[NSXER119]

Hi, everyone
when I started my car this morning, I found out that the clutch is very light and it is very hard to shift, especially in first and reverse gear. Even sometimes when I try to shift to third, it grind, but only happen once when I go to work today. I drove the car yesterday and the car was perfectly fine. Do anyone know what is the wrong with my car? I don't think it is the clutch because I tried pick up on uphill in second gear and the car is just fine.....the snap ring had been fixed about 20K miles ago, is there any possibility that it will break again? I opened the center consol couple weeks ago to eliminate some noise, and I cut the phone line, do you guys think that I have screwed up something?
Please help!!

 

[Autophile]

This sounds like what happened to me a few weeks ago.

Check the fluid level in your clutch reservoir. It is probably low. My reservoir looked completely empty when I checked it, after my clutch felt soft. Just add some DOT 3 brake fluid to the proper level, drive your car around a few minutes, exercising your clutch a dozen times or so, and check the fluid level again. Top the fluid off with more brake fluid if needed. The natural clutch feel and release height will return by doing this.

The problem is, the master and slave cylinders have seals that get old and leak slowly. If you can live with filling the level occasionally, then no problem. Otherwise have the cylinders checked and/or replaced.

 

[NSXER119]

Autophile
You are right. I just fill up the clutch reservoir and my car runjust fine now. Thank you very much

Coleman

 

[Autophile]

Happy to help!

 

[pok8rok8]

mine does the same thing...let me do that and get back to you....1st 3rd and reverse sucks...on mine also...

Mike

 

[NSXER119]

Mike,
Hope you car's fine after you refill the clutch fluid....please keep us update

Coleman