Ever since I got my car the clutch has engaged VERY high. I realize that most AWD cars engage high (at least the ones I've driven), but it seems kinda rediculous. It literally engages at the VERY top of the stroke.

The clutch seems fine though, it doesn't slip, grabs well, and I can modulate it easily. It just seems strange that it is SO high...

Should I be concerned? I did a search and it seems that some have a higher engagement than others.

-Sean

 

That's normal for the Evo...

 

yeah i have to say the evo is not for beginning stick driver.. not to assume that you are... but the high engagement of the clutch is how most race clutches work...

 

its normal, and also part of the reason why "newbies" think there clutch is gone so early

 

I just wanted to see what other owners had to say about it.

My WRX engaged pretty damn high, but it had an AWFUL clutch (friggin early 02 production). The closest thing I can compare the Evo's engagement to is an Audi (except the Evo actually has positive pedal feel, unlike the Audi's pillow soft clutch).

I'm not really concerned, since the clutch works well, just more curious.

Now I just have to get used to feeling so much of the engine through the clutch pedal. The number of vibrations/sounds this car makes is nuts. I kinda like it though, it's really "raw"

Thanks for your input people!

-S

 

Yup...the Evo is definitely a car you have to DRIVE, not just ride along in...

 

You can adjust the clutch engagement point under the dash. The rod that is attached to the clutch pedal and goes into the firewall can be adjusted. I'm not sure why everyone thinks it should engage high. If it engages too high, the the clutch probably has some preload on it when you are not on the pedal. Any pressure on the pressure plate while you are driving will cause the clutch to not be fully engaged. This will lead to wear on the clutch. Instead of the clutch putting 2200lbs of force on the flywheel, it might only be putting 2000lbs of pressure because of the preload (#s are just an example). It's the same principle of you riding around with your foot on the clutch pedal. It's not good. I prefer mine to engage lower

 

Thanks for the tip...however, if the clutch engages lower, will it still fully disengage when the clutch pedal is depressed? Even though the clutch FULLY engages high, it STARTS to grab quite a bit lower...I want to know that I'm fully disengaging the clutch during shifts, for obvious reasons...

 

You can adjust the rod lower but the engagement will still be on high side. all your doing is moving the pedal closer to the floorboard. Adjusting it to much will cause the clutch not to fully dis-engage and result in a miss-shift or grind the gears.

Evo owners know that the clutch engagement is on the high side. we just got to learn how to drive it that way.

 

No, the rod I'm talking about has nothing to do with pedal travel. It moves the rod in and out of the master cylinder. I will say this, though, to clarify my thinking. I have done this on multiple Eclipses, not on an Evo. The Evo has the exact same set-up as a 2G Eclipse, as far as how the rod is adjusted. I just got my Evo, and it engages where I want it to, so I haven't touched mine yet. I have read on this board, though, about other people adjusting the one on their Evo.

As to it fully disengaging, you will have to play with it until you get it how you want it. Sure, you can adjust it so that it won't disengage at all. Of course, you don't want that. I like mine to engage closer to the floor.

 

I know you can do this adjustment on 1st & 2nd gen's ( most of my friends owns one ) But the Evo is different. On Eclipses/Laser's..ect.., when you adj the rod the pedal stays where its at and rod pushes or pulls in or out of the master ( depends which way your adjusting) to where you want it to engage.
On the Evo, since you haven't touched yours, the pedal moves as you adj the rod . Try it just so you know what I'm talking about .

 

I've adjusted mine and engagement is real close to the floor...When the clutch is out it fully disengages as well..

 

Okay, I will try it. But as WannaRace said, I know others have adjusted theirs this way and it works.

 

Hmmm. lemme check mine too. Cause last time I tried adjusting it, the pedal moved with it.

 

Is the free play on the clutch or something different. Please post pictures if possible. Inside or outside car?