Clutch woes

[whitey]

I bought an '04 EX 6MT coupe with 70,000 miles, and my clutch pedal makes strange noises. I have run a search and come up with a few threads, but none of them seem to be exact matches.

When I push the clutch down, it clicks two or three times, and when I let it back out, it clicks two or three times again. When I'm in a parking garage, I can hear what can only be described as a "creeking" noise, like a rusty spring, coming from the engine bay when I depress/unpress the clutch. Also, I notice my clutch pedal feels abnormally heavy (hard to press down). Since I read that others find this to be a light-weight clutch, I'm wondering what the situation calls for?

I understand there is a TSB to reposition the clutch slave cylindar, so I suppose this is a possibility, but if that is the simple fix I'm looking for, will it also make the pedal feel "lighter"?

THanks DA!

DK

[stevencrosbie]

My TL was doing this as well (22k miles). I needed a new clutch master cylinder. I think a few others have had the same issue with their 6MT.

Can you feel the "clicks" when you press in the clutch?

[whitey]

Yes, that is when I feel the clicks...when I press in the clutch and also when I let the clutch out. How much should I expect to pay Honda to fix this problem? Also, did your clutch have feel heavier, or is this a different issue all together? I read something about a heavy spring on the '03/'04 that is upgradeable to a lighter spring from the later years?

I'm out of warranty, so what are my chances of getting this covered under TSB?

[whitey]

I know there are more people on here than this...Anybody?

[RTexasF]

My five speed has been doing it for some time but zero change in clutch feel or pedal pressure.

[stevencrosbie]

I do not know of the cost for this replacement as mine was under warranty...

Maybe someone else has done this out of their pocket?

[Trip]

Both my 03 and 06 5MTs had the creaking, clicking clutch. The 03 was addressed a couple of times. The 06 was once and it started to come back right before I traded it in.

There were a couple of TSBs for it. One involved lubing or replacing an O-ring and the second TSB was to reposition the clutch master cylinder. Not sure exactly how they worked but it did quell the noise for a few months at a time but as AFAIK, there wasn't a permanent fix.

Talk to your service dept. Since there are TSBs and its a known problem, they might be willing to at least split the costs with you.

[whitey]

Alright thanks for the replies. I'll just call my service department and see what they say. Because it's not a detrimental problem, I may just learn to live with it and not care. The clutch is heavy, but it's not too heavy, and I'm already used to the way the car drives so it's not a big deal. Plus, if it's not a permanent fix, it's pretty much pointless to blow $XXX.XX out of pocket. Thanks again!

[jbuffethed]

Had the same prob with my '03 5MT

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/showthread.php?t=869

Made an appt and Honda replaced the Clutch master cylinder at no charge. No probs since.

[radmobile]

Originally Posted by RTexasF

My five speed has been doing it for some time but zero change in clutch feel or pedal pressure.

+1. Just noticed it on my 05 I-4 MT a few months ago (the clicks) but no change in the clutch feel whatsoever. I've learned to live with it.

[whitey]

So for all of you experienced manual transmission drivers, would you say that the pedal pressure is on par with previous manual automobiles you have owned, or would you say this pedal feels heavier?

[ivuj11]

I had the clutch master cylinder replaced 2 years ago, i had no problems for about 1.5 years and then it started coming back. So about 3 months ago i took it to the dealership again and they replaced the clutch master cylinder again. Not even 2 months later the creak/click click sound came back. I have an appointment for this thursday AGAIN. Both of the previous times it was fixed for free once under my certified warranty and the other time HONDA honored it again. I dunno whats going to happen this time but since it hasnt been 12 months or 12000 miles I am covered under their workmanship warranty. There is no way I can get used to the sound. It also feels rough when you push the clutch in and is never consistent. Not to mention the akwardness when someone is riding with you and you hear creaks every couple of seconds. I dont know why this is so hard to fix. It looks to me as if theyre putting in the same faulty master cylinders. I want to get rid of this problem once and for all.

[MatmanVT]

I had the same problem. Dealer was able to fix by lubing a linkage in the clutch assembly. Unfortunatly, it came back about a year later and the tech is no longer with the dealership and they can't seem to fix, but it did work for about a year!

[Fredsvt]

My '04 6 speed has always felt the same, about average effort and the clutch pedal makes no odd noises or click feels.

If you're hearing noises under the hood, the release fork could be creaking, the grease may have dried out on the pivot. There is no way to lube that pivot without pulling the trans.

If anyone can point me to the bulletin for the repositioned slave, I'd appreciate it. Never seen that one.

[whitey]

That very well could be the problem ^^

If that is indeed what has occured, should I expect it to negatively effect the life of my transmission, or is it purely a nuisance? I will ignore it so long as I won't be putting myself further in debt in the future.