Clutch Problems

On the 89 Honda Civic SI, when you depress the clutch pedal, it does not release. If I push down on the release shaft on the tranny, it then is ok, but won't release on it's own. Is this a sign of pressure plate? Have a manual and have the tranny out now, and the release shaft is hard as heck to move. Is this normal?

no, that bearing should move freely...they do go bad especially if the clutch is used hard, or improperly adjusted...if your gonna replace everything, which you should if you have the tranny out anyhow....get an entire clutch kit with a new pilot bearing

When you say release shaft, do you mean the arm the is on the outside of the tranny? If so then it sounds like your clutch cable snapped.

Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I didn't describe it well enough. The clutch cable is ok. When the tranny was in the car, my wife would push the pedal. The release arm on the side of the tranner that works the throw out bearing would go up. However, when she let go, it did not return to the down position, it stayed up, and the cable slacked. I took the tranny out. On the garage floor, I can not move the release arm (again, on side of tranny) without banging it with a hammer. The release arm moves the throw out bearing into the pressure plate. I didn't know if the spring force in the pressure plate is what pushes this back, but didn't think so. The release arm is hard to move in both directions. Could "crud" get into the shaft that holds the throwout bearing and cause this binding action? Just curious as to how free this arm should move?
Thanks for the help.

hmm, how old is the pressure plate? i would take it all apart and lube the crap outta it...

yes, the pressure plate is what provides the return pressure for the clutch pedal, although some people feel it necessary to add a spring under the dash to add more tension to depress the pedal.

Your best bet at this point, there is a grease fitting inside the transaxle bellhousing, on the release fork that actuates the throwout bearing, grease the hell out of it with some good grease, and work it back and forth as much as you can, until it eases up... worst case, you'll have to take that assy. apart and replace the sleeve that goes through the bellhousing. it's not difficult, just two bolts and some light pounding.

+1 to changing clutch components

Now is the best time, since you already have it out, and it's obviously having problems.

thanks for the input. I will give it a try tomorrow. Really, I didn't notice a grease fittting. That sure would help!! Keep you posted.....

pretty sure I remember seeing one in there, although it may have been for the throwout bearing I was using... don't remember clearly, been about 1.5 years since I've had my hands anywhere near a honda... b/c of the loss of license, I haven't had a way to get anywhere to work on a car.. I'd kill to go to a junkyard with some basic tools... lol

there definately isn't a grease fitting in there. Check the input shaft the bearing rides on and make sure it doesn't have any wear, or scratches on it. Can you move the arm freely if you remove the throwout bearing?

No the throw out bearing is off of the shaft. I can't move the arm without hitting it back and force with a hammer. also, no grease fitting, wish there was one, I would have it fixed by now. I have sprayed degreaser in there, and also penetrating fluid. Still really hard to move???

can you see if anythings bent?

If lubing everything doesn't work, and there is no obvious reason for it binding the only real option is to replace everything. Strange it all happened all of a sudden like that. The only time I've seen, or heard of that happening is when the bearing goes. Like greenblur says, something must be bent

eh, sorry about the grease fitting thing, i just checked myself, and the one that I seen is on the throwout bearing itself... anyway, to remove that assembly only should be 2-4 bolts (13mm or 14mm) and a lil tapping with an appropriately sized mallet. :)

eh, sorry about the grease fitting thing, i just checked myself, and the one that I seen is on the throwout bearing itself... anyway, to remove that assembly only should be 2-4 bolts (13mm or 14mm) and a lil tapping with an appropriately sized mallet. :)