curls

I was talking with my service advisor today, and told him my clutch pedal was clicking.

He asked: "Click, or creak?"

Conversation ensued, and this is the deal behind it:

1. There are TWO separate problems that people complain about, and they are very similar in sound/feel to the owner.

• Clutch CLICKING. Distinct, crisp CLICK sound at bottom of pedal travel. Also might experience a more subtle click at top of clutch pedal IF the pedal was fully depressed before returning to the top. The cause: Clutch switch. The clutch switch is used to ensure that the pedal is fully pressed in before starting the car. The top "click" is caused by the upper switch, which <I think> is used for the cruise control - sensing if you've pressed the clutch at all. NO TSB has been released yet, but they expect one eventually. They know of the problem and it does happen in some other models as well (RSX has had a few complaints about it, as has the EL (Canada) and a few TL's).
  .
  .
• Clutch CREAKING or SQUEAKING. More of a creak or muted squeak. The cause: inadequately lubricated linkage between the pedal and the clutch master cylinder. This is where the "replace master cylinder" treatment is applied, ALTHOUGH IS NOT FULLY NECESSARY. Just lubricating the linkage with appropriate grease should take care of the problem for a long time. I think the "replace master cylinder" was overkill from the service departments, as until recently, they didn't know the exact cause of the problem, so replacing everything that might squeak was the only feasible solution.

So, that's straight from the horse's mouth. Hopefully this will help some people diagnose their problem, and bring to everyones' attention that there are TWO SEPARATE PROBLEMS that might sound/feel almost the exact same to most people.

Cheers,
~Eric

knthornt

Great info. I am sure it will help a few people. good descriptions of the sounds too

xizor

Sounds correct to me, good explanation

97AcuraCL

the creak i have only makes a sound as i'm letting the clutch out, and I apply the accelerator.


from a dead stop...

depress clutch---no sounds
let clutch up slowly WHILE applying gass (to start in 1st) CLICK CLICK CLICK (coming from teh undercarrige of the car, NOT the actual pedal itself)
as clutch is all the way up and car is in motion, no sounds what-so-ever in any gear at all period.

dealer says its normal... i've driven 3 other 6spd TSXs that my friends own, mine is the only one that does it.... and so i'm SOL.

curls

If it is still under warranty, get them to take a drive with your car, and then with a few new TSX's... prove that its not normal.

They lubed my clutch switch and all linkages leading to the clutch master cylinder, and my CLICKING is gone. I never had a creak, so I can't tell what they'd diagnose that as, sorry.

~Eric

TSXDude

I have a distinct click when i apply the pedal, but i'm not too bothered about that. What get's me is the creaking/squeaking sound.

Since the weather is very humid the past month, The squeaking is become more noticeable, and it happens the exact way 97AcuraCL described above. I was wondering where in the linkage to lubricate, and what type of grease should i use?

curls

My service report just said "lubricated linkage from pedal to clutch master cylinder".

Your service department should do this for you. Not sure on the grease, but I'd bet money it's a thicker silicone-based grease that won't drip or leak down. Probably similar to the stuff they showed me for the door hinges and door keeps. Looks like opague silicone sealant but obviously won't solidify.

~Eric

TSXDude

Yea, i should bring it to the dealer to verify about my problems, but as I understand, the lubrication is a temporary/intermittent solution, so I was thinking of doing it myself every so often so i don't have to drive to the dealership just to get something lube....

I take that you don't have to disassemble the whole clutch assembly to apply the silicone grease?

fdl

Acura has also designed a new master cylinder, which is supposed to solve the problems of the old one. I had the enw one put in the last time I complained about the creaking, and so far so good.

TSXDude

fdl: Which dealer did you go to?

calgary_tsx

ive had the creaking problem forever, I had it looked at about a year ago and the dealer lubed the linkages and master cylinder area and it went away for about a month and then started again. I just drive it, doesnt really bother me but I hope there is no LT damage from not getting it continually lubed

dP-

I have the 'clicking' too. What is suprising is it looks like it's alot of Canadian's who are affected by this? How long did the fix take? I've scheduled an oil change this Saturday - hope they have enough time to lubricate all the linkages as well.

fdl

Acura 2000

curls

I'd be surprised if the lubricating took more than 15 minutes.

crisco

Curls,
which Dealership did you bring your car to? Camco or Casino? - I have the same clicking issue (very annoying) and want to go where they 'know' about the problem and what to do about it.

Also, have you had any other issues fixed (speaker buzzing, rattles etc.). I'd like to get some of these taken care of before the warranty expires....
thanks,
CK

curls

Camco. Talk with Sheldon if you can -- he's a great guy and very helpful - he has helped get me a few things covered under warranty even though my bumper to bumper was u 12,000km ago (bought the car used w/ 72,000 on the clock).

I'm going there right now, actually, to get my seat-sliding/shifting problem looked at...

My pasenger speaker buzzes SLIGHTLY, but I will eventually be swapping those speakers out anyhow, and will tackle the small job of doing the TSB myself (just need to find the proper felt/foam and it'll be simple from there).

Also had my condensation-in-headlight problem fixed outside of warranty (thanks Sheldon!), and had them re-lube all hinges on rear doors, as well as the inside-the-door hinges (can't recall the name, but whatever they did helped the doors close effortlessly now).

Cheers,
Eric

crisco

Thanks Curls,
I've been having mine serviced with Camco, I'll continue to do so...

calgary2800

Curls,

What is your advice for a clutch that has feedback when I rev it up high ( 4500 rmp and up)? I hear a " verp" sound and some kind of spinning sound. This only happens when I try to rev it high and have fun with the car. I have a Mazda6. This happens when I press the cluth and release it as well. The stupid dealers cant help me, cause they suck. Tried that route.

curls

I am by no means an expert, and can't help you with that sound, sorry.

TSXy6spd

My car just turned 6k miles and the clutch pedal has started a distinctly audible click which can also be felt under foot about half way through pedal release. There is no change in functionality but it is making me crazy. Lubrication is one thing, but this better not turn out to be a chronic issue. I was victom to the TL auto Tranny fiasco which was one reason I went to a manual. Man do I know how to pick 'em. Will see what the service department has to say tomorrow.

crisco

had mine lubed 3 weeks ago. Clicking hasn't resurfaced. We'll see I guess

dP-

Mine came back after the servicing...maybe a few weeks later. Anyone know where to lubricate to remedy the problem myself?

tony4311

Replacing the CMC is not overkill. They lubed mine about 5 times before giving up and replacing it.

Master47

I have the click while pressing the clutch inward, near the bottom of the travel, it then clicks again completely to the floor. Each time I hear it, I can feel it in my foot. It only happens when the clutch is let completely out first. Nothing is heard/felt while letting the clutch out. I'm thinking about putting some multi-purpose grease on some of the moving joints and where the switches make contact.

curls

That is exactly the same problem I was having when I took it in (aside from me also feeling it at the top of the travel as well). The silicone grease they used DID work for a while, but the noise and feeling has since come back (say 5000 km later).

I expect to get it remedied next time I'm in for service.

afici0nad0

good info on this thread.

i think my car has just began experiencing the creaky clutch.

i've had the clicking for a long time, and, according to this thread and in my mind, is nothing.

but, the creaking, it's much more prominent when i am driving, even with music on.

i'd rather take this job as a DIY. silicone grease, wd-40?...

HoRRo

How many clicks do you have on your car?

afici0nad0

5600km's

Arcticcl9

I had mine serviced once before for the creaking problem. The service department greased the linkage. The creaking was gone for a day, but came back after I drove home.. I will take it for service again before my warranty is over, to see if they will replace the clutch master cylinder

HoRRo

heh, I guess I drive a bit too much, 8100km and I got mine Sept.12 '05

Brandon24pdx

you know you guys with the 6MT can probably disconnect the "bottom" clutch switch and not have to push the clutch pedal in to start the car? Theres probably a wiring harness to unclip on the switch.

I did this on my old Eclipse GSX: its hard on the crank bearings to pump the clutch without oil pressure. Also neat to not have to push the clutch in to start the engine.

As far as the squeeking clutch throw...Again my old car did this too, especially when cold and damp. Extremely annoying but also harmless. Its not likely the master cylinder...probably the steel linkage is inadequatly greased. Its not easy to "grease" parts that are stuffed way up under the dash. Lets just say I lived with it.

crisco

Mine was greased in Sept. Hasn't resurfaced yet.

curls

Since mine was lubricated a few months ago, it hasnt resurfaced more than once, and that was on a VERY hot summer day.

IMO, it's mostly temperature-related. Since it's cooled off here in ottawa I havent heard the slightest click from the pedal, nor felt anything halfway significant through my shoe.

HoRRo

No clutch startup is ONLY good if you never put it into gear when parked. Otherwise, it would be a risky setup.

afici0nad0

i agree. i don't think it's necessary to replace parts to get rid of the noise.

i may just grease it myself or wd-40 it. whichever works best...

i also agree...it can be a pain in the ass to get to that area...

afici0nad0

i picked mine up during the first week of june 05.

i live pretty close to work, so...

but, it's a car. i'm not anal about km's, as long as i maintain it, it'll keep me happy...

afici0nad0

i think you're right...

the creaking, along with some specific rattles in my car, comes and goes depending on the weather. no big deal...

goddsmack

Okay good I'm not the only one experiencing this. I just started experiencing the squeaky clutch pedal and only 8000 miles on my '05. I just did a temporary silicone spray around the linkage and pushrod area, but when I have time I'm gonna take that panel off to use white grease caz as someone mentioned, it's a damn tight fit underneath there.

Oh by the way, I finally stalled my vehicle for the very first time since owning it. It was intentional though however as I was on a hill and let out the clutch slowly to see if I could still hear the squeak without really giving it a whole lot of gas (in fact pretty much none).

Master47

I finally got the nerve up to take my '05 6MT in for the clutch "click" problem as outlined on this thread. To my surprise, my dealership put forth their due diligence on the issue and actually called the Acura Tech line for recommendations after looking at it for the first time. The Tech line told the technician to replace the clutch MC. They also said there are 41 open cases in the US on this issue that have not been closed with the outcome of the MC fixing the problem, or not fixing the problem. Basically, none of the dealerships are closing the cases as successful, or unsuccessful for whatever reason.

The clutch pedal is now smooth as silk. It took 8000 miles for the first one to start clicking, so only time will tell.

joerockt

^^^Guess I better take mine in then. Im intermittently experiencing the same thing...