Clutch engages weird? Help

[lilcurt503]

When I push in the clutch it's not nice and smooth. It engages fast all the sudden, and then is hard to push in the rest of the way. Is the clutch spring worn out?

[Petros]

sounds like a worn clutch, near the end of its life. do you know how many miles are on it?

when the disk is worn thin the pressure plate does not disengage until it is near the end of its travel. the only other thing that can cause that is if the self adjusting device at the top of the clutch pedal lever (where the cable attaches), may not be functioning properly and not taking up the slack in the cable. Check it for proper operation, and if it is working, likely you need a new clutch.

One simple clutch test: in an empty parking lot or somewhere that you have open space in front of you, smash your heel onto the brake, put the clutch in and put in in first gear, rev the engine up with your right toe while keeping the brakes on hard, and than slowly let out the clutch pedal. It should stall the engine. If you can keep the engine running with the clutch out, it is shot.

DO NOT DO THIS TEST VERY OFTEN! it will wear out the clutch fast.

[keith]

Another quick test is to just set your parking brake, put it in 5th gear and let the clutch out slowly with just a little gas. If the engine doesn't die, then your clutch did. The cable itself could be sticking too.