August 4, 200421 yr The clutch cable seems to have become uncooperative. Perhaps water got into the cable housing? I stopped driving the car because I had to put the clutch all the way to the floor to get it to shift. What should I do next?
August 4, 200421 yr Sounds like it's time to tighten the cable up. This is on of two things - normal clutch adjustment, or a sign that your cable is fraying, and starting to "stretch". If that is the case, then it could break at some point in the future and leave you stranded. I would carry a spare cable (get one from the dealer - others are not as high quality), and also adjust the one you have. In my experience, when the cable starts to "stretch" it's usually accomanied by an increase in force needed to push the pedal. GD
August 5, 200421 yr Author Thanks for the info! The clutch cable problem seemed to coincide with the engine being detailed. Water definitely got into the cable housing. I can't do it myself, so I guess this is a call for my local Subaru Dealer.
August 5, 200421 yr ya know clutch cables are fairly inexpensive and easy to chage. This was my problem, cable fray and rust inside the sleeve "SNAP" it did go. new cable made the car feel like a new one.
August 5, 200421 yr Author I don't know about it being easy. I see the cable disappear into the bottom of the engine compartment.
August 5, 200421 yr The cable is easy to replace - takes about 20 minutes. I have a write up on it comming soon.... GD
August 5, 200421 yr ditto it ducks under brake booster then into firewall held by clip, then clip on pedal assmbly slide pin out push cable through wall disconnect at clutch fork walla!!!
August 5, 200421 yr Not exactly - being an 81, it will have the older (and easier) system on the pedal side, with a metal clamp and a bolt. GD
August 5, 200421 yr I think it took me like an hour to do the cable on my 87, maybe a little more. thats from unlocking the drivers door to walking off and throwing away the old cable. The hardest part was definitely on the pedal end.
August 5, 200421 yr Once again - your 87 pedal end is completely different than the 81. I personally feel the 80-82 is the easiest of the three styles I have dealt with. 20 minutes for me would probably be an hour or more for someone who has never done one tho - I could see that. But even at an hour, you have still saved a considerable amount over going to the dealer. GD
August 5, 200421 yr Author Assuming I start on the pedal side, how do I fish it through the firewall? Am I getting the cable and the housing when I order the part, and who do I order the part from?
August 5, 200421 yr Ok - I can see that my tech write-up, which isn't quite done, is needed here..... I'll upload what I have.... just a sec. GD
August 5, 200421 yr The cable is a single peice unit - housing and cable are all one part. Fishing it though the firewall..... well you don't really. You don't fish it that is. You just stick it though. The hole is large and easily accessible - don't worry about that. Here's my tech page on it.... still needs a couple pics, but it's pretty much done: http://home.comcast.net/~cropperr/clutch.html GD
August 8, 200421 yr Author Wow, thanks for sharing. I'm not sure that I now feel confident doing it myself, I envision myself getting stuck at some point and not being able to go forward.
August 8, 200421 yr You mean stuck under the dash? Hehe - yeah that's a possibility. I was stuck for several days once.... luckily I had someone to bring me food and water (J/K). I really need a shop midget for stuff like this.... "hey - run on up that down pipe and check the bearings in the turbo would ya?" LOL GD
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now