Testing clutch drag

[Vyse]

Hi guys,

I am trying to figure out if my clutch is dragging. Ive bleed the clutch system quite a few times. Even when the car is warmed up the gears still feel notchy, not all the time but sometimes. Whats strange is that its can feel notchy changing out of gears also.

Does anyone have a proper test for seeing if I have clutch drag?

Thanks

[227bhp]

Disengage clutch fully whilst in gear by pushing the pedal, push car on smooth level surface.
Does it move easily or rock backwards and forwards on its tyres?
You know the rest surely....

Edited by 227bhp on Tuesday 7th March 09:41

[CrutyRammers]

Jack driven wheels off the ground, run it in gear with the clutch pedal down, see if the wheels turn. BUT....

I had similar on my kit car - gears hard (sometimes impossible) to engage. Turned out that I needed a larger (errr...or smaller, I forget) master cylinder, as the clutch wasn't disengaging properly. However, even testing as I've described, there appeared to be no noticeable drag, not enough to turn the wheels anyway. But it obviously doesn't take much to stop the gears going in easily.

[voicey]

CrutyRammers said:

Jack driven wheels off the ground, run it in gear with the clutch pedal down, see if the wheels turn. BUT....

I had similar on my kit car - gears hard (sometimes impossible) to engage. Turned out that I needed a larger (errr...or smaller, I forget) master cylinder, as the clutch wasn't disengaging properly. However, even testing as I've described, there appeared to be no noticeable drag, not enough to turn the wheels anyway. But it obviously doesn't take much to stop the gears going in easily.

Rev the engine up - if it's only just skimming the flywheel a faster engine speed could be enough to get the wheels turning.

[Little Pete]

Select reverse gear. If the clutch is dragging it will 'crunch' into gear.

[Mr2Mike]

Little Pete said:

Select reverse gear. If the clutch is dragging it will 'crunch' into gear.

Assuming no synchromesh on reverse...

If gear engage and diengage smoothly without the engine running, but feel stiff/notchy with engine running and clutch pressed in then it's a fair bet the clutch is dragging. Some clutches tend to drag more as they wear, and well before they get to the point of slipping.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 8th March 17:18

[Vyse]

After trying the tests in this thread, I assume my clutch is ok.

I did a 3 point turn, started in 1st gear, braked then went straight into reverse and it felt smooth.

[PositronicRay]

Vyse said:

After trying the tests in this thread, I assume my clutch is ok.

I did a 3 point turn, started in 1st gear, braked then went straight into reverse and it felt smooth.

It would probably be worth checking/changing your gearbox oil.

[Vyse]

Thats been changed also. Must have changed it 3 times in 2 years, trying different brands. It has the oem stuff inside again.

[Little Pete]

What vehicle is this OP?

[Vyse]

Its a Honda Civic.

[PaulKemp]

If it's a cable operated clutch as opposed to a direct rod linkage then it can be dirty or sticking cables or the nylon bushes

[M32Guy]

Civics are known to have notchy gears, particularly on the type r's. The synchro rings wear out

[Vyse]

Thing with my Type R is that it is low mileage and am the 4th owner. Am wondering if the previous owners drove it like they stole it.

[Mr2Mike]

M32Guy said:

Civics are known to have notchy gears, particularly on the type r's. The synchro rings wear out

They do if you continue to drive it hard with a worn clutch which causes drag. Mine has 130k on it and the gearbox is perfect.

[Vyse]

Is your box smooth first thing in the morning, am talking about the first 5 mins? No notchy feeling at all?

Mr2Mike said:

They do if you continue to drive it hard with a worn clutch which causes drag. Mine has 130k on it and the gearbox is perfect.

[Mr2Mike]

Vyse said:

Is your box smooth first thing in the morning, am talking about the first 5 mins? No notchy feeling at all?

It's fine from cold, no notchiness at all. I changed at around 90k and the previous owner was an older guy who looked after it pretty well. I also filled the box with the proper Honda mtf fluid rather than 75W90 which many garages seem to use.

I don't bang it through the gears either, even though it spends plenty of time near the red end of the tacho.

[Nicholas032]

I have a 98 civic sounds similar it shifts fine when cold but gets harder to put in gear as it gets warmer, replaced MTF with penzoil synchromesh bo difference bled and replaced all brake fluid in clutch master (the old stuff was dark dark almost greenish) still very hard to put in 1st grinds in reverse and occasionally between gears only when the car is hot. Any ideas

[Sardonicus]

What year is this Civic and what model?

[Mr2Mike]

Nicholas032 said:

I have a 98 civic sounds similar it shifts fine when cold but gets harder to put in gear as it gets warmer, replaced MTF with penzoil synchromesh bo difference bled and replaced all brake fluid in clutch master (the old stuff was dark dark almost greenish) still very hard to put in 1st grinds in reverse and occasionally between gears only when the car is hot. Any ideas

Probably just a worn clutch. Stiff gear selection when hot was the reason I changed the clutch on my Type R, it never showed any signs of slipping.

On the plus side a clutch change it's a fairly easy job on the older Civics, certainly compared to the EP3 which required the whole subframe to be dropped.