I've just purchased a clean 87 gl wagon 4wd with 142k miles on the clock. $500 new: front half shafts, alt, tires, stereo, timing belts, etc... The clutch is pretty stiff- I figured for the price I could deal with a few problems... could it be the clutch cable or a dry spline? The thing runs pretty well, has some oil leak issues. Only had an 83' 4wd wagon with a M/T. 89 gl 2wd and 91 legacy were both a/t's. Any insight would be healpful.

thanks

well my 84 has a real stiff clutch even after replacing the cluch, pressure plate and all that good stuff. i have lubed up the cable to get me by but its stiff again. your problem could be a bad pressure plate..or clutch cable from my experiece. though im kinda new to the subaru mechanical stuff.

Clutch cable could be coming apart inside the sheath or is just dry. A dry pivot on the clutch pedal can cause the same issue. I have not experienced a sticky/stiff clutch if the release fork was dry.

Could be either the cable as descibed above, or the springs (fingers?) on the pressure plate are worn..either could cause a stiff pedal. I've had it both ways:rolleyes: .

For $20 and 30 minutes, I'd start with the cable. This is one part I always go through the dealer for. Later, Tim

my 86 wagon had a stiff cluth from day one(bought used) then we acually had the clutch fork crack and had to tear it down to replace, used fork ten dollars. The cable is new the pressure plate checked out fine, flywheel fine, all checked out fine reassembled and there it was a stiff clutch just like before, so I'm thinking that the fork I have isn't giving the best leverage ratio or something like that. Been driving for over a year now without further problems besides a stong left leg. My 2cents and experience