An adjustable clutch can be reset when it wears, saving money and improving performance. Adjustment is done by resetting the play in the push rod of the slave cylinder or cable. Safety steps must be followed, and expert advice may be needed for better performance adjustments.
An adjustable clutch is a clutch system on a manual transmission car or truck that can be reset when it begins to wear, rather than simply replacing primary components such as the clutch plate. Not all vehicles with a standard transmission have an adjustable clutch, but aftermarket parts can usually be purchased to make it adjustable. Being able to adjust the clutch from factory settings or with retrofit can save you money on clutch maintenance over time and improve clutch performance.
Clutch adjustment is usually done by resetting the play in the push rod of the adjustable clutch slave cylinder or the adjustable clutch cable. There are many reasons to do this, other than extending the life of a moderately worn clutch assembly. The original setting on the clutch may be too tight initially, or the clutch pedal may feel soft and unresponsive even when operating within stated tolerances. Shifting can be stiff or unnecessarily slow depending on arm length and height in the driver’s seat.
The adjustable clutch cable or adjustable clutch lever can be reset by a layman with only general automotive knowledge. However, it’s best to get expert advice and guidance before making any changes to a transmission, as it is such a crucial component of a car’s drivetrain and the design can vary greatly from vehicle model to model. Since a clutch adjustment is relatively quick and free in terms of new parts, it is worth a try, however, before investing in a professional clutch overhaul.
Safety steps that must be followed when resetting an adjustable clutch include making sure the car is turned off and the transmission is set to neutral. Your owner’s manual may provide instructions for basic clutch adjustment which simply requires you to fully pull the clutch pedal back while the car is on level ground with the parking brake engaged. The self adjusting clutches will reset themselves with this procedure.
For the car enthusiast looking to adjust the clutch for better performance, the job becomes more complicated. You first need to find where the clutch cable runs from the pedal through the firewall behind the dash and to the transmission. Adjusting the clutch from here on may require guidance from an experienced transmission mechanic, as the clutch cable assembly operates with a small ratchet mechanism that affects the work done by pulling the clutch cable. Changes should be made incrementally, one-quarter of a quadrant at a time, or one-quarter circle of a turn, to gradually tighten or loosen the clutch pedal, as described in your owner’s manual.
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