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Hi everyone! I spent most of the afternoon trying to find the answer and I couldnt so I figured I'd ask here. When do I need to replace my clutch? I have 167k on the car and I think it's the original clutch. It's a 04 ex. Thanks!

 
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Umm, when it goes bad . There is really no magic number, but it will start to slip more at the end of its life. I am at 184k with the original. I was thinking of buying a clutch this year and replacing it, only because things generally don't fail in your driveway. I don't want to be somewhere away from home when it does and to save money I was going to do it myself.

You can check how much it is slipping by placing it in 3rd gear when going slow (under 20), then pushing the gas to the floor. If your engine rpm's increase faster then the rate the car is accelerating, then it's slipping.

 
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or you could do when by you get into a situation that you need remove engine or transmission, you just change it for the safety of mind.

 
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I will try that. I was thinking about putting in a stage 2. I can get a quality one for like $340.

Edit: tried it, no slip.

 
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The life of a clutch depends entirely upon the driver.


I've seen clutches roasted in 30 seconds, and I've seen other clutches outlast the cars they were in.

Big trucks can go a million miles on a clutch.

 
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So generally clutch replacement, under normal conditions, it would only be necessary to replace or upgrade if you tore it up or you have noticeably modified the engine?

 
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You forgot "or wore it out".


There's plenty of reasons to replace a clutch.

It's a lot of work/expense to just do it for the hell of it. IMO

 
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Yes I did. I was going to follow the diy on it. There is really nothing wrong with my clutch, it is just a bit soft as compared to other cars I have driven. Ie my brothers 92 prelude, my friends neon, and my other friends mustang. There is really no desirable point of engagement. I stalled my brothers car the first time I drove it because the point of engagement was so low as compared to mine. Is this normal for our cars?

 
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Every car could be similar, yet vastly different.
I'd never jump in a car and expect its clutch to be exactly like the last car with a clutch. Gotta learn and adjust your habits for each car.
I can drive just about anything, my learning curve is about 5 feet.

I really prefer soft engagement of a factory clutch, I hate pucks and rice clutches. They have no 'give', they feel like an on/off switch, makes it tough to drive it smoothly.

Drive a couple other cars identical to yours, with stock clutches.




Low engagement height could be due to air, or pushrod adjustment. Or other stuff.

(Assuming all other variables are correctly adjusted and bled) When these clutches wear out, typically the engagement point gets higher and higher until it slips.

 
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don't go stage 2. stock is good enough. stage 1 is already quite stiff. there's not enough power in the D17A2 to justify a stronger clutch

 
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Do you think a flush would be a good idea? The fluid in the reservoir looks pretty murky.

 
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Absolutely.
It uses brake fluid, and brake fluid should be replaced (flushed) every 3 years.

 
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Did the breaks not to long ago and I have left over fluid so that works. Just need a buddy to help. What do you think about this diy?
http://www.ephatch.com/forum/showthr...rod-adjustment

 
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Don't adjust if it isn't necessary. 99% never ever need to be touched.

You really can't adjust for engagement height, that's completely wrong.
You can only adjust for clearance between the pushrod and master.

Bury the rod too deep and it will cause problems. Adjust too loose and you may never get a decent engagement height.

Look up in a shop manual the correct way to check the clearance before you mess with it.

 
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How do I adjust the engagement height then? Mine engages like an inch before I let off all the way. That was why I originally asked, I thought that meant my clutch would need replacing soon.

 
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But I surely thought you had said "There is really nothing wrong with my clutch"

So you are saying your clutch engages when the pedal is high then?

If that's the case and this is a very recent change, it's probably wearing out.
(OTOH if it has been the same height all along and you are comparing to other cars, there may not be anything wrong.)

Hydraulic clutch systems are self adjusting over the lifespan of the clutch, up to a point.... When the pedal height changes, there's usually either something wrong with the hydraulics or the pressure plate is nearing or at the limit of its clamping range (disc worn out).

Low height means near the floor.
High means near the top of the upward pedal travel, just about where you remove your foot completely from the pedal.

 
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Yes, i did say there was nothing wrong, there is no slip. At least from the test of driving in third under 20mph. I guess I didn't mention the pedal part. As for the feel when I first bought the car, I don't remember. I was not as in tune to things as I am now.