clutch hard to press! (5spd)

[coaxial]

Since some hard driving and multiple water crossings on the weekend my clutch is intermittently harder to press than usual. Often now it is no longer smooth at the fritction point but tougher to press in that spot. Hard to explain, it basically is some rough feedback as you press sometimes, but other times it is normal and smooth.

Is this a sign of the clutch wearing out, cable needing lube, or worse?

I am told the clutch can be "tightened" to give it a bit more service life before replacement, should I do this or have a mechanic take a look?

Thanks in advance!

[BadgeStar]

I would guess that as you say you have done some 'water crossings' you've probably got water into the clutch cable which has washed out some of the grease (lube) and making it stiff to operate.

Barry.

[Erebus]

I don't have a manual, but I seem to remember reading that the clutch is hydraulic, not cable operated, and that it shares the fluid with the brakes. In which case maybe you got water in the fluid? If this is true, since it is a common reservoir with the brakes, might be worth replacing the fluid, since water in the brake fluid is really really bad.

Hopefully I'm wrong and you just snagged the clutch cable!

[coaxial]

interesting.. could using my brakes while all my wheels were underwater cause this

I'll take a look at the fluid in the reservoir anyways...

[Erebus]

interesting.. could using my brakes while all my wheels were underwater cause this?

Shouldn't, since the brake lines (and the clutch for that matter), are sealed and only the reservoir on the dash has any opening.

But hey, theory and fact are strangers too often.

[jrman]

A major long shot here, but have to post since this is similar to something I experienced with my 1985 Ford Diesel - the firewall developed a crack in it - so there was some flex in the firewall as I pushed in the clutch - giving it a "tougher" feeling, and making gear changes more difficult. I ended up having a plate welded in behind to beef up the firewall. Again - understand this is a long shot - and would suggest your problem is more likely related to recent driving activity, but thought I would throw it out there for consideration....anything is possible.

[BadgeStar]

I don't have a manual, but I seem to remember reading that the clutch is hydraulic, not cable operated ....!

I just checked the wife's Delica (which is a manual 'box) and you're quite correct! The clutch IS hydraulic so you can ignore what I said about the cable! I must have been getting mixed up with one of my old vehicles.

Barry.