Hey Forum,

Bought my hummer the last week of April with roughly 57,000 miles. I have put roughly 1500 miles on it since then. I went off roading for the first time the other day and had a blast. Then I let my buddy drive it. He brought a worry to mind and I thought I'd run it past you guys.

He mentioned that the clutch had a lot of travel and didn't engage until this last 2"s of pedal travel. He said it seemed like the clutch was going out. So I'm kinda freaking out. This is the way it has been from day one. In fact I have always been amazed as to how smooth everything is. I was thinking that was just the way it was supposed to be but I have not driven a manual transmission vehicle in 10 years. That was in an '89 Ford Festiva.

So my question is simply this. Does this sound normal or should I take it to the local Stealership? I have noticed no slipping or anything negative otherwise.

Thanks in advance.

 

I have the 5 speed as well, but mine feels like it catches about halfway. Seems normal to me though. I've never checked, nor do I know much about the mechanics of cars, but is there a reservoir for a clutch just like the breaks? maybe the fluid is low

a problem I've had: is it difficult for you to shift into 1st or reverse sometimes when at a stop? as if you have to roll into gear?

 

That was in an '89 Ford Festiva.


I used to have an 89 Festiva, talk about a fun car to drive!

I have had this worry in my vehicles before, and I really think that the clutch is just supposed to be that way, especially if you have had no problems. I had a ranger that was the same way and I insisted that the dealer take a look at the clutch and he told me to take it to the ford dealership and if it needed replaced he would pay for it, guess what, It lasted me another 100,000 miles until a deer took out my truck. Clutches are getting better all the time and I would bet that yours is fine.

 

Put it in 5th at about 40 and just stand on the gas. If the engine rpm speed increase matches the vehicle speed increase, then I wouldn't worry about the clutch itself. Check the hydraulic fluid for the clutch (small cylinder to the right and below the brake master). If it is low, add fluid and try to determine if you see any leaks. Don't forget to look in the cab at the firewall where the pedal linkage actuates the master cylinder piston. If the fluid is dirty looking, expect that you may need to replace the master and/or slave cylinders for the clutch hydraulics in the near future. If neither of these apply, there should be an adjustment on the linkage at the pedal that will change when the engagement occurs. Provided it is set up in a normal configuration, lengthening the adjustment will make the engagement occur higher on the pedal travel and shortening it will make it happen lower.

Hope this helps. Realize that I didn't give much in the way of specifics as I have never had to fool with the clutch on my H3 other than checking the fluid levels when I bought it. However, most hydraulic clutch systems work on the same basic principles and I have plenty of experience with that.

 

Ok guys thanks alot for the input. I'll be checking these things out. I can tell you that i have never once had any problem getting it into any gear. My fear was really that i think everything is to smooth. but hey could be clutch technology has come a long way. BTW the Festiva has been the absolute funnest car I've ever had until the H3.