Clutch cable problems

So recently, my clutch cable has been giving me trouble. The pedal will set semi high and will engage fine it seems. The trouble is that I literally have to jerk the shifter into 1st and 2nd. is there a certain way to make sure that the cable is installed right? I'm not Mr Goodwrench but I'm sure I have it set in right and tight enough. Also, when slowing down and shifting back into 2nd when turning, the car jerks a bit.

Also another problem is that when I'm am coming to a stop or basically slowing down and I have it both in neutral and the clutch engaged, it dies every now and then. I can start the car back up fine. It's only when I'm in neutral and the clutch is in. It also idles low and a bit rough when it happens. I was thinking that's either the distributor or the idle isn't set high enough.

For w/e it's worth, this is a 91 CRX with a dohc ZC swap. The distributor is from a 89-91 Integra and the clutch cable was for a 91 crx.


Also, how far in does the metal end need to go into the holding bracket right above the tranny?



Thanks for any advice and I can be contacted on AIM at draybook if anyone has any quick ideas.


Here's a pic of the end I'm talking about, where it connects to the adjuster knob and the tranny.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/draybook/100_3175.jpg

I can't be sure just from the pic but that cable looks like it has never been adjusted...none of the adjustment threads are showing so the reason you have to jerk the car into gear is because the clutch is barely making contact with the flywheel...rule of thumb is that the clutch should engage about an inch off the floor. Just turn the adjustment nut clockwise til the clutch engages properly and you don't have to hammer the shifter into gear

Yeah, by the looks of it that clutch cable looks pretty loose. It should have some slack on the cable part.

If it's loose that could be the issue. My clutch had maybe 3/4-1" of play and it was tight. Never had a problem. I'd always prefer a tight clutch to a loose and sloppy clutch even though people will say that it's better to have 1-2" of play in the clutch pedal.

Problem solved. I bought a cable for an 89 Integra and whoosh, slack gone and it runs fine.

Problem solved. I bought a cable for an 89 Integra and whoosh, slack gone and it runs fine.

I hope you didnt buy an aftermarket cable, I've only heard bad things about those. Are you sure you didn't try adjusting your original one? Maybe it had lost its tension anyways.

I hope you didnt buy an aftermarket cable, I've only heard bad things about those. Are you sure you didn't try adjusting your original one? Maybe it had lost its tension anyways.


Bought the new cable from Advance Auto, new from their warehouse.

Ant yeah, the original AND the new crx cables were both adjusted as far as they could be.

Ant yeah, the original AND the new crx cables were both adjusted as far as they could be.

in the wrong direction from the looks of it in that picture

Double post..... busted

Well, you can either tighten it or loosen it, so I went with tighten.

Well, you can either tighten it or loosen it, so I went with tighten.