Clutch slipping?

[max]

I have 93 mazda mx-3 with 127K miles on it. I keep up with maintenance and its in great running shape.
I’ve been noticing that when I shift there seems to be like a delay/jerk between gears before clutch fully engages. I’m not sure if its clutch that’s starting to slip of just the way I shift?

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[Bill]

Perhaps maybe you should let someone else drive your car to see it acts the same as it does when you drive or let a driveline tech. drive it.

[Lorrin Barth]

It is simple to tell. After you let out the clutch, if the tach goes up but the speedometer does not, the clutch is slipping.

I was road tripping visiting family during the 4th of July holiday and when passing a car on the interstate in 5th gear I felt something. I punched it again while watching the tachometer. The pointer jumped up momentarily. When I got home I started ordering clutch parts.

[Duncan]

The quick and dirty test to tell if a clutch is past it’s best is to put the car in first gear with the handbrake on, then with the engine at a brisk idle (around 1500 rpm – YMMV) slowly bring the clutch pedal up.
The car should hunker down when the pedal is half engaged and stall out when the clutch is fully engaged.
If it sort of fades out, the clutch is thin, but will need doing soon. If it doesn’t stall at all, the clutch is already slipping, and if the car moves forwards down the road, your clutch is probably OK, but you should adjust your handbrake

[Author]

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