Miata Mailing List: October 1998, Message #204

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Get your car rolling about 15 MPH and put the car in 4th gear.  Let the
clutch out quickly and watch your tach.  If the needle drops down and
settles somewhere pretty quickly then the clutch is most likely in good
shape.  On the other hand, if the needle takes it's sweet time settling and
you can rev the engine with the clutch engaged (4th gear @ 15 MPH) then your
clutch is probably on the way out.  I believe you can also tell by noticing
where in the pedal travel the clutch engages.  If it is engaging way up in
the travel then it might also be worn.  Hope it's not though!

Nathan Ramsey
-----Original Message-----
From: Bjm66mx5@aol.com <Bjm66mx5@aol.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <miata@realbig.com>
Date: Thursday, October 01, 1998 6:17 PM
Subject: clutch worn?


>Is there any little, simple test I can perform to tell if I need a new
clutch?
>I'm pretty sure I do because when I drop it at somewhat higher rpms it
takes a
>couple seconds to get moving.  Also when I do a high rpm 1-2 shift there is
a
>definite delay of power in second gear.  It sounds almost as if the engine
is
>winding up but not really going anywhere.  The clutch also seems to be
>engaging at a higher point in the pedal travel.  I believe it is the
original
>clutch.  (1991, 47K)  Any help and suggestions would be helpful including a
>good relatively inexpensive aftermarket heavier-duty replacement.  Thanks.
>
>  Brian
>  91 White
>
>