How would I know If A New Clutch is needed?

Question

1989 Ford Probe Turbo 5 speed, 144,000 k
GT 2.2
I have a problem when i get i the car and try to put it in Gear iI have a Very Hard time putting it in 1st gear..
after i tangle w/it. I can get into 1st then I wld get stuck in 2nd into 3rd.
I had mech look at it and he sd maybe Motor Mount, Tranny Mount. Then sd No its the Clutch. I would need the Whole Clutch Kit... $$$$$ :(

Is there a way tht I can find out.. after reading some of the posts here... Thank you all very good info..

How can I tell if I truly need a Clutch Kit or do i need to check the cyclinders,flywheel etc...
Plz help me if you could..
Have a another similar under "Problem getting my car into gear".

I would Greatly Appreciate it.

Answer 1

Ford sucks.

Answer 2

Hi. This guy is so full of it, I can smell it from here. This sounds like an air leak in the hydraulic clutch system. Simple test. Check the clutch cylinder reservoir, it should be behind and just to the right of the brake cylinder. if it is low, you have a leak. fill it with proper fluid. get in and pump your clutch all the way dawn, then all the way up several times quickly. see if you notice a change in pressure or spot where it "grabs". if there is a difference, start the car and pump the clutch again, then try placing in gear. if you can easily, have the system checked for leaks and bled. A mechanical clutch linkage can not cause this problem unless it was purposefully done, as the natural wear of the clutch would cause the pedal to release the clutch higher over time, verses lower. if you just barely lift the clutch and the car is off, then it is definitely an adjustment or air problem. flywheel has NOTHING to do with this whatsoever.

Answer 3

I'm not sure if you have a mechanical or hydraulic clutch mechanism. If it's mechanical, there an adjustment directly on the rod which pushes the clutch fork into the throw-out bearing inside the clutch. If you increase the effective length of this rod it will give you a higher clutch petal. It will fully release the pressure plate during shifts allowing the transmission to shift easier.
If it has a hydraulic clutch mechanism be sure the reservoir is full of fluid and the clutch cylinder is not leaking.
Generally speaking when clutches go "south"- (bad) you'll feel it slipping while in any gear. The motor will increase RPM's but the ground speed of the car won't keep up or match the rpm of the motor.

Answer 4

Hi, you should find another mechanic if the guy says that you need motor mount he is just trying to rob you. Lets get started with a simple diagnostic. Is the clutch pedal very soft and you have to push it alway at the bottom. If so its the clutch. I have not have problems like this come up in a long time but there could be a chance that you damage the gear box if the above scenario is not the case. Answer this question....when was the last time you went in for a manual transmission fluid replacement. Technically it should be done about every 20k. So this could be the problem also. Lets say you do need the clutch and you are going to keep the car I would advise you on one simple step. Normally the mechanic would just remove it send it to a machine shop and redo the teeth of the clutch. I would recomend you get online to AUTOZONE or PEPBOYS some kind of online store and order a clutch kit. Should be no more then 300. But first go to a trusted mechanic to diagnose properly and ask for the price of labor to put in the clutch kit. Well I think I said enough, email me with other questions if you want. Good luck

Answer 5

Start the car, put the gear in second. With clutch down, rev the engine to 2000 rpm. Then dump the clutch. If clutch is gripping well, then it will stall the engine. If it is not, then your clutch will slip and engine would still run. I would replace the engine mount and transmission mount just to be sure that the problem us caused by the clutch assembly.
Clutch kit isn't too expensive, but labor involved in intensive.

Answer 6

The pressure plate must be disengaged to put the car in gear easily. The pressure plate squeezes the clutch against the flywheel. Different types of linkage are used to release this pressure. Some are manual & some are part manual & part hydraulic. There are several different things that could be wrong, but the clutch is not the problem. Find a mechanic you trust.

Answer 7

The first signs that your clutch is going bad is you will have a hard time going into 1st and reverse. If you need a clutch yes you should get a clutch kit, it comes with a new pressure plate, disk, throw out bearing and pilot bushing. Along with all that you should machine the fly wheel or replace it. For the best results don't short cut on your clutch.

Answer 8

There is a chance you may need to have the clutch adjusted. You can do this on some cars, you adjust the mechanism so the clutch engages higher up on the pedal travel. It sounds like your clutch is not fully disengaging and needs to be adjusted. Ask a Fords dealer if there is a clutch adjustment for your model of car. It may be that you have a hydraulic slave unit for your clutch and it may need fluid, ask the dealer that as well. Good luck !

Answer 9

cylinders and flywheel have nothing to do with this problem
start it up,put in first gear,put right heal on brake right toe on gas push brake down tight apply gas with toe so motor is racing about 2 grand let clutch peddle out keeping pressure on brake the entire time...does car try to drive away or does it try to stall if it stalls clutch is fine if it doesn't stall you should be smelling clutch stink by now ...that's telling you that the clutch is slipping replace it..if it dint slip try taking the shifter
move the shift from 4th to 3rd then to first if it gos right in ..its normal ford wear in the shifter ...that's how you will have to get it in first..take it to ford have them look at it and give you a written estimate...then take it to anybody that you want

Answer 10

ive got a hyundai and had the same thing happen to me and it turned out to be the master clutch cylinder that was the problem only cost hundred dollars or so to fix.

if its the clutch that is worn you'll have trouble taking off in 1st gear but if you are like i was and once you're in a gear you can drive fine then you might have the same problem i did.

Answer 11

It might just need to be readjusted. My clutch was being naughty and I took it in and they just did a few adjustments and then it worked fine. Take it in for and estimate first, if you take it to the same place you always have your car worked on, don't let them try you a fee for looking at it. Because if you plan on getting it fixed no matter what then they shouldn't charge you a fee to tell you what's wrong.