Anyone had this problem? I was driving the other night and after a while (engine nice and hot) the clutch pedal started not returning fully, no slippage but could feel vibration through the pedal so the release bearing was still under load. After a while it seemed ok again (I suspect when the engine had cooled down a bit).

Now I have a definite ticking/rumbling noise that disappears when the clutch pedal is depressed - classic knackered release bearing sympton.

Is this a common problem? The car is an M reg WRX import, still under warranty fortunately so I'll go back to the dealer and see what they say.

 

I'd be interested in hearing what the problem actually is. I have had the same experience as yourself in the past couple of months with my MY96(N reg)imported WRX. The kind of effect that one would get if the foot matt obstructed the return of the clutch pedal. When this happens, it tends to return to the 'biting' point as such, thereofore does not incur slippage. Does anyone have any advice to give on this matter.

 

Agree with hutton-d same prob with 30000mile sti iii,3 weeks for parts?

 

I find this very interesting. I had these same symptoms in my car a while back. The clutch would engage right at the floor and pop the rest of the way up with very little force. The feel would go back to normal if I pumped it about six times. But I believe our clutch designs are a little different (my car is a 2.5L N/A). I took it to the dealer and they replaced the pressure plate under warranty saying it was faulty. I think they used the word "collapsed". The car only had about 15K miles at the time, but they didn't replace the throw-out bearing. I may be paranoid, but I thought I felt the pedal doing it again the other night. If it goes bad again I don't think I'll replace it with a Subaru part. Two failed pressure plates (or possibly release bearings) in one year is a little rediculous.
Travis
In the USA waiting for a turbo

 

Forgot to mention if clutch pedal is let up too Quickly{i know you shouldnt}a hard "thunk" results due too return stop material being too hard,a white nylon material.Anyone know a remedy {apart from obvious}

 

I had the same problem with my MY93 for the month prior to installing a new clutch.

Im not saying your clutches are all knackered (it was dead obvious with mine) but putting a new kit (plate,bearing etc) cured it.

Hope this helps, regards

Richie.

 

I am currently going through the same problem on my MY93 WRX. It has been back to the supplying dealer 4 times now. First and second times they could'nt find anything wrong, then they replaced the slave cylinder and said it was fixed. I get the car 10 miles down the road same problem occurs. Then they have just changed the master cylinder, said its fixed now, guess what, it happens again, so now they belive it is something to do with the pedal itself.
If the car is driven slowly nothing goes wrong, it just seems to happen when accelerating hard.

Steve.

MY93 Silver WRX

 

Sounds the same as mine. After I changed the clutch, this was accentuated to the point where the car wasnt drivable until the clutch had been bled, worth a try (I expect youve already tried this Steve if they've changed the cylinder).


Richie

Another Silver MY93 WRX

 

i bought a 96P STI V3 last week and the same thing has happened to me twice now. i have taken it in (not to a scooby specialist mind) and he couldn't see anything wrong but said if it keeps doing it then to come back and he will strip the clutch down. when it happened to me the car was hot, i was going very slowly and had to put foot under the pedal and pull it back up, to which it sprang back. also you all know that the clutch pedal is quite firm, well on mine, for the first inch or so it is really easy before you hit the resistance, is this normal on yours or is it just me.

andy