How to know if clutch is good?

[Erin]

So I got this 1995 Corolla with 5 speed manual. I know how to drive a stick but still a novice.
Since I have had bad luck with transmissions before, I tend to worry. Anyways let me describe some things and see what you all think –

My biggest concern is that when pressing and releasing the pedal, the clutch doesn’t engage until almost the top of the pedal travel. Maybe like the last 15%.

Somethings I did to “test” the clutch –
When in 3rd, 4th, or 5th gear, a couple times I would floor the throttle. The engine is only a 1.8 liter so not much power but it never revved out of control. The RPM and speed went up respective to each other (depending on what gear). Except Today getting on the highway it seemed to rev faster than it was picking up road speed, I am not sure if maybe I accidentally pressed the clutch or whatever. Can a failing clutch “sometimes” slip? I have not noticed this happen before.

In a parking lot I tried to take off in 4th gear from a standstill. Even slowly letting out the clutch and giving some gas, it stalled the car. I read somewhere this test should be done at high revs but I am not one to tempt fate.

So also for a novice like me, how can I know if the clutch is OK if I have nothing really to compare it to for feel?

Topic

[Duncan]

From the description the clutch sounds not in it’s first flush of youth, but still servicable.It’s not juddering which is a good sign. Often clutches on their last legs can judder when driving away from rest.
Bite point should normally be about half to 3/4 up, but if you check the workshop manual there should be a specification for pedal position.
(Note I’m not familiar with this car, but I’ve driven manuals since I got my licence) If there is a manual adjustment, try adjusting it, or if it has a cable that’s auto adjusted check that the adjuster is behaving itself
Failing clutches will show up typically under load (so slipping at highway speeds, or going up hill)
I test them by putting the vehicle into first gear with the handbrake on then releasing the clutch slowly with the engine at a fast idle – like you’d use to drive off. If the car dips down, and almost stalls – it’s still got life in it
My 10p worth. At least changing a clutch in a Toyota if needed isa lot quicker and lighter than doing it in something like a landrover – Them boxes are heavy to shift

[Nicholas Clark]

LRDisco gave a lot of good info. Just make sure you’re not riding the clutch. You will kill your clutch in short order that way. My truck engages high on the pedal, too. And it engages quick. But putting it in 4th and hammering it at highway speed is a good measure. Just make sure you’re in the powerband on your motor. I imagine that’s around 4500RPM if my old Toyota was anything to go by. You’ll know when it’s slipping. Good thing about manuals is that they usually give an indication when they are going bad, and it’s usually just the clutch. Hope this helps!

[Erin]

It slipped a couple more times the other day. Not a good feeling.
Anyways I investigated a bit and there was pretty much NO freeplay in the clutch pedal. I adjusted that by loosening a nut under the dash (had to take the lower dash apart to get to the nut) and backing off some sensor for the cruise switch.
It doesn’t seem to have problems now.

It is weird though cause with the clutch, it seems to grab well (yeah it might slip if I tried hard enough, not sure that 1.8 engine could handle 4,500 RPM) but yes the clutch does grab high and grab quick.

I had some service records from the old owner (which I called the shop to verify a few things) and the clutch was replaced 13,000 miles ago. I am thinking that there is no way a clutch could go bad in that short a time unless someone really abused it.

I do not ride the clutch. I do not sit there holding it down with the trans in first while waiting for a green light.

[Author]

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