I'm just curious. What happens when finally a clutch wears out? And what are the symptoms of a almost worn out clutch?

When you press on the gas the RPMs will shoot up like it isn't in gear. That is the main thing...clutch slipping.

As mattocs says, the RPMs go up, but sometimes it can be quite subtle at first.

 

The car may drive normally, and the clutch may not appear to slip at low throttle positions. But if you accelerate under load, either driving up a hill, or with slight brake pressure, the clutch may slip and the RPMs go up.

 

This shouldn't happen on a properly adjusted clutch. So if it does, it tells you that the clutch is wearing out. And there really isn't any alternative except to replace it.

prolly been stated somewhere on the board before, but to save me the trouble of searching thru every single one in an effort to find my question, how hard is it for someone who doesnt know too much about cars to replace? what tools, how much money for a new clutch, and how long would it take? thanks, skeet

IS THAT STRONGBAD AS YOUR AVATAR?

There's way more than just a clutch slipping.

 

If the pressure plate gives out, the release point on the pedal will get closer and closer to the floor, to the point where you could put all your weight on the clutch pedal and still not be able to shift because the clutch is constantly engaged. It will get worse and worse until the plate gives out entirely and the pedal stays on the floor. Believe it or not, this can all happen within 10 miles!

 

I speak from experience on this

 

Oh and colorado, as a friend (FL peeps gotta stick together ), you probably oughta edit your post so the print is smaller and definitely turn off the caps lock. Mods and admins of the board don't like that, they'll tell you soon enough if you don't change it.

I said it like that because I was overly excited to see that someone else is a strogbad fan. Not many people know of his existance. I know it sounds stupid but if you saw it you would understand.

 

Sorry for the caps and large letters. Sometimes you just have to.

IS THAT STRONGBAD AS YOUR AVATAR?

why, yes it is. I'm amazed at how many people even know what Homestar Runner is.

It's not really an instant thing. Youll just notice it slipping more and more when you try to take off or switch gears and drop the clutch. Eventually it gets so bad that it slips so much it never fully enguages. Then you just sit there burning up your clutch and over heating your stuff.

 

One sure way to tell is when you switch gears form 1st to 2nd at a pretty high RPM. If you notice the RPMs still going up but you arent really accelerating any more

why, yes it is. I'm amazed at how many people even know what Homestar Runner is.

 

Its as big as like South Park or something...at least it seems to be around here.

i noticed a little while ago that whenever i would push in the clutch a grinding sound would appear. now that noise has gotten a lot more so, and now occurs while just driving along. does this have to do with the clutch, and what is causing the noise?

"A grinding sound when you depress the clutch pedal"?

 

This could be the clutch throw-out bearing wearing out.

 

If so, it will need changing soon. Get a clutch kit and do the whole clutch at the same time, bearing, clutch-plate and release spring. I've done this on other cars, but not yet on my Subie. Maybe others have some advice....

This up coming holiday...it's going to be a real Labor Dabor. I am going to sit on the cooler by the stick and have a hamburger and then make fun of people as they walk by. I am most certainly not checking e-mail though.

"A grinding sound when you depress the clutch pedal"?

 

This could be the clutch throw-out bearing wearing out.

 

If so, it will need changing soon. Get a clutch kit and do the whole clutch at the same time, bearing, clutch-plate and release spring. I've done this on other cars, but not yet on my Subie. Maybe others have some advice....

 

How much do they run for, and do they fit universally on all cars, or do i get one specific to my model? i know that doing it myself would be tons cheaper, but considering i dont have the tools/space and possibly time (if it takes a while), then id rather have a shop do it. how much would that cost? thanks, skeet

 

p.s.: should i choose to do it myself (which i would want), what would it take for a kid with no experiences with clutch replacement before?