I have a 99 forester with a manual. it has 93000 miles on it and the clutch was done at 70000. It was done befor i owned the car so i cant verify the work. When i first got the car would shutter when cold becuase of the clutch. But not after being stuck once or twice and being a little rough on the clutch when i put it in gear for the first time it burns the clutct pretty bad because i can smell it. But then is fine. So do you think i glased the clutch and ruined it? It is nto slipping yet. So how much longer do you think it will go for and how bad is it to change the clutch on a forester. Any exspecially hard things to deal with. i ahve a shop and a lift to use. Thanks alot guys

bump

a clutch can take quite a beating and still work. Chattering is pretty normal when cold with these cars, but when it slips change it.

I've never done one of these, but I'd say easier than a Jeep, about the same as the average front wheel drive car, and harder than a front engine rear drive.

The "smell" is normal for this organic clutch. It may be enviromentially friendly, but it 'shutters' when cold or damp and has an 'odor' when hot. Kinda like organic natural people. (each are entitled to their own lifestyle).

But after driving a standard shift for over 35 yrs, I like the replacement non-organic clutch in my 02 Forester.

Just wish it wouldn't yell at me so much when I wake it up on cold mornings (Piston Slap).

No offense, but the clutch in your Forester stinks. You might as well live with it until it dies completely, because it isn't hurting anything else...but it's a nuisance, isn't it?

 

The clutches on these cars are a little harder to replace than the older Soobs, but not much. There's less engine room but it's better organized.

 

~Proud but peeved owner of a '99 Forester 5MT

others on the board have fitted the latest clutch and it actually works! When this one goes make sure you get the latest numbers that are out.

A search of the arcives here will get them for you, but they may be superceded by then with something even better.