Background info – 96 GSR sedan with 87K miles. Here’s the problem. I was having some grinding issues (2nd to third mostly), so I changed the tranny fluid which helped a little. So yesterday as I’m playing with the car to find rpm shift points that wouldn’t induce the grinding, my clutch pedal went dead. While in first, I noticed I was having trouble taking it out of gear even though I had the clutch pedal all the way down. On the third run (1st gear- 5500 rpm) shifter would not come out of gear and the pedal died. Get to side of the road and was able to put it in neutral. I’d push on the clutch pedal but had no resistance and couldn’t get it into any gear. I turn the car off, waited a few seconds and restarted it. The pedal was back and I was able to drive it home. So do you guys think it is the hydraulics or a clutch issue (throwout bearing?). I plan to bleed the hydraulic clutch (oh yeah, there is no leaks, fluid level is fine) and see if there are any bubbles. But I’m still confused as to why the pedal went dead and then came back after I restarted the car. I also noticed that when I push the clutch pedal a little bit to get rid of the free play, I feel some vibrations in the pedal (that’s why I’m thinking of throw-out bearing). Sorry so long, but wanted to give as much details as possible.
TIA.

PS - forgot to mention that there is clutch chatter in 1st gear when starting from a stop

 

exact same problem i had... hell, i had to check the user name to make sure that it wasn't me that post this...

Here's my experience. Same story. Bought new clutch.(act hdss w/ prolite) Let some dude install it.

His opinion about what happen was that something broke off the pressure plate and got in the way of the clutch.

Here's how my car is doing.
-The vibrations in the pedal is somewhat still there.
-The shifts are super smoother. Goes in easily.
-Just install it last friday, still breaking it in.

Conclusion, I'm not satisfy. It might just be me, but I still feel like there is something wrong. I'm going to change the tranny fluid once i get around to it. I'll keep u posted.

All in all, get a new clutch.

 

I bled the hydraulic clutch yesterday and didn't see any bubbles. Did some 1st gear runs and the problem didn't reappear, so I was little pleased. But the clutch chatter and vibration in the clutch pedal are still there.

Toukna, thanks for the reply. New clutch huh? I was prepared for that so I'm not surprised. Kinda disappointing since the clutch doesn't slip and is fine otherwise (I'm not hard on clutches, I got 220,000 miles out of my first clutch in my CRX). An independent Honda place wants $800 (new clutch, pressure plate, throw-out bearing, pilot bearing, resurface the flywheel).

 

Sounds to me like you have a leak somewhere. How is your clutch fluid level? When you say your clutch is dead are you talking about it going to the floor with no resistance and it sticks to the floor? Look under you dash and see if the clutch master cylinder is leaking at the seal or onto the carpet. I bet you have a leak there. It could be the fingers on the Pressure plate not allowing you to fully disengage the clutch. Your symptoms are not symptoms or a damper spring that had fallen out and wedged between the flywheel and pressure plate. You said it will start working again after you waited a few seconds, it is definitely a leak somewhere. Good luck

 

Hi Cartuner

Clutch fluid level has been fine. I've looked at all the fittings and under the dash as well and haven't seen anything. I wish it was that; I'm looking to replace the clutch now. My friend says a good upgrade is to use the Type-R clutch.

 

Just broke in the clutch. The vibration is still there. It happens when i depress the clutch. Anyone know what is wrong?

anyways, back on topic.
Or u can just get a type-r tranny
or u could get the clutch setup.

 

Posting an update.

I replaced the clutch with an Exedy Organic clutch (From ProStreetonline - have to support the sponsors , plus it was a great price ) The clutch was certainly the problem. A piece had broken off the clutch plate, so it looks like only half the plate was disengaging from the flywheel. Luckily, it didn't damage the flywheel considering the size of it. Here's some pics:

Clutch plate and broken piece

Close-up of broken piece

Damaged Springs

Pressure Plate


So shifts are again smooth, but I now have to get used to the stiffer clutch pedal of the Exedy.

 

is it normal for a tranny to shift if its out a vehicle? Like you can push the shaft in and out the shift linkage connected to?
Engine B18b

Also, my pressure is low on the pedal of a 1994 Honda civic HB, fluid is high, so does this mean i need a new master cylinder or slave cylinder?

 

blast from the past... I do not know. sorry. but i had played around with a tranny outside the engine before... don't really know if i'm shifting or anything... just moving the movable parts around. lol. Try flushing your clutch... there could be air bubbles in the system. If that doesn't help. report back.