Clutch concern!!
 

ok so i have had my 2002.5 protege es for 2 weeks now and since the test drive and everything i felt as if the clutch was not how it should be, seems to me the friction point is clear towards the top and that kind of bothers me any other manual i have had it was either towards the bottom or middle and the one time i had one go out it was about to the top, so my question is first of all, are they a hydrolic clutch and if so where is the fluid for it? second, is there anyway to adjust this? it just concerns me a little to much for a brand new car! and also does anyone else with a manual trans. have this issue/concern?

thanks:)

The Protege clutch is pretty normal for low $ economy cars in that respect. I have driven ALOT of stick cars (used to be a valet in Portland a few years back myself) and it's quite normal. Cars with stronger clutches will usually engage lower. Yes, the clutch is hydraulic, the fluid is in the engine bay to the outside of the brake master cyldiner, and no, the pedals usually aren't adjustable. As long as the clutch isn't slipping it's fine. Took a little to get used to my clutch, as my other car (Miata) has a strong aftermarket clutch which engages on the floor in comparison.

that is pretty normal, but i know what you mean, i like the clutch to engage low myself. there may be an adjustment on the rod that connects the pedal to the clutch m/c up under the dash.

thanks guys for the insight on this;) i feel a little better about it now!!

Yeah I too was not very thrilled with where the clutch grabbed when I picked up my car. I asked the service manager at the dealer about it and he said it wasn't adjustable but low and behold I just got the service manual for the car and there is a section for pedal adjustment. It is a hydraulic system so there is nothing under the hood to tinker with but there is an adjustment at the top of the pedal to change pedal height and travel. I'll try to play with mine in the next few days and let you know how much of a difference it makes.

YES you can adjust the pedal/engagement point.....If you will get a flashlight and lay on your back in the floor and look up...you will see the rod that attaches to the clutch pedal....there is a lock nut on it...loosten the lock nut and turn the rod to shorten it to LOWER the pedal...or lengthen it to RAISE the pedals engagment point...then test it...when you get it where you want it...tighten the lock nut.

IF I remember correctly...it takes either a 10 or 11 mm wrench.

If you adjust the pedal to be lower does that mean it won't return to the same spot? IE: parallel with brake pedal or will it return to a lower point?

the pedal is spring loaded and will still come all the way out....just like before.

thank you so much for your info!! ill try that probably this weekend and see what i think about it then let ya know how it worked for me!!!