Clutch problem?

[zslavins]

Hey, I appreciate any help with the diagnosis.

Manual transmission, had no problems with the gears so far. Went on a long drive over the weekend and on the way back through town, I noticed that the gears were getting harder to switch. The clutch tension hasnt changed, but when I change the gears, the gear box seems to be stiff and I cant seem to fully put the gear in, though it doesnt affect my driving or changing of the gears.. it more of a nuicance than anything.

So I was wondering if this is a clutch problem, or maybe I just lost liquid, or is there is something wrong with the gear box?

[AzTumbleweed]

I'm not sure what you are driving but on my Escort the clutch fluid comes from the brake master cylinder. Check it out.

[rhandwor]

You have a clutch master and a slave cylinder usually you need both. If you have to pull the transmission do a clutch also unless you can do it yourself.

[tripletdaddy]

Are you grinding gears when going in? and is it hard to pull out of gear? The clutch is not releasing and may be due to low hydraulic fluid. If you press in clutch pedal to brake but leave trans in gear, does it stall? If so, the clutch is not fully releasing. You can have a stiff shift stick without clutch problems, but that's a bigger problem than low on fluid, and one that a trans expert, not I, needs to handle.

[Davescort97]

One of the symptoms of hard shifting is low fluid level in the transmission. Check visually for leaks. If no leaks I would think it is all right. It's difficult to check for fluid level because the speedometer drive gear has to come out of the transmission. As has been said already, the problem could be the clutch. Check the brake fluid reservoir on the firewall for low fluid level. Since this supplies brake fluid to the brakes and then secondly to the clutch, If the brakes seem to be ok this is probably alright, too. If the level is below the marker put some DOT 3 brake fluid in the reservoir.

[Jacfourteen]

one other thing to check out is the shift linkage. I say this because you said that it is stiffer but doesn't affect shifting. Does it move freely if the car is off? I'm not sure if the linkage requires periodic lubing, but it's something to check into. Good luck!