clutch info

Does any one know how to diagnose when it is the right time to replace a clutch

If it's slipping when your trying to accelerate at a decent rate.

does where the peddle engage have any thing to do with it. because it is pretty much at the top and the peddle is pretty essay to push down witch leads me to believe that there would not be to much presser on the flywheel.
i guess it slips but it is the only standard car that i have spent allot of time driving so im not sure if it is the way it is supposed to be or if i need a new clutch

I have a 96 Escort with a 5 speed and I have to push my clutch all the way to the floor to change the gears...I think my clutch is slipping. I was told once that if you put your car in 4th gear and try to take off and it does....your clutch is going out. Maybe it's the other way around....can anyone clarify this for me??? Thanks.

taking off in 4th depends more on yoour gearing then clutch

My clutch grabs about 1" from the top, but it just grabs all the way. The stock clutch I had before, which was like new, grabbed at the same point. I think it's how the cable is, and how the clutch pedal cam is...which the escort has a pretty mild one. Plus, like on Honda's, they have a return spring on the pedal, so it makes it feel harder. Do this test.....take off in first gear very mildly, let the engine slowly go up to 2k rpm, and then floor it. If you hear the engine rev up, but don't take off, probably spinning tires, then your clutch is definitely bad.

The pedal travel should have noting to do with when the clutch needs to be replaced, it only needs to be replaced when it startes to slip, if you don't like the way it is as far as pedal travel then you could always get the cable adjusted, i knew mine needed replacing when the engine would rev up while crusing on the highway at constant 115 kph

ya i heard about that 4th gear thing 2 but i also thought that it would be the gearing more then the clutch
u know what i think im going to do
bring it to a mechanic some times thats the best thing

Put it in first, let the clutch out and get the car to go just idling. Floor it, all the way to the floor if it slips good chance you need a new clutch.