I think i'm having the same problem... my car sometimes takes a little bit more effort to get into second. I'm going to get a weighted shift knob soon, that DID improve the shifting some, and I'm also going to see if this fix helps too. I'd suggest teh greddy counter weighted knob for people having this problem.... I borrowed a friend's, and it felt much smoother.

 

Man... We need to invent Bullsh|t filters. We'd be set

Amen to that.

 

100% Agreed. You described it perfectly.

This is the only thing I really am annoyed by with my 03 EVO. I'm trying this tommorrow, and hopefully will have some good news to reply back with tommorrow.

 

Well, I raised the engagement point a 1/4" or so during lunch. My initial impression is that it didn't make a difference.

 

I wish I would have seen this post a few weeks ago. I took my '04' in for the 25k service and asked the service writer if the clutch could be adjusted since it seemed to be dragging. I like to short shift a lot and it was hard to go from 1st to 2nd unless I shifted around 3500 rpm. Also there was a slight grind most of the time going from 2nd to 3rd. Well the service guy stated that the clutch couldn't be adjusted. He did suggest that I could pay to get the tranny fluid replaced with BG syncroshift and that maybe I needed a new clutch. Since I said I really wasn't happy with the stock clutch, he said they could replace it with an upgraded disk and it wouldn't screw up my warrantee. Unfortunately I agreed and paid to replace the clutch. The new clutch is a lot stiffer and shudders a lot when going slow, especially in reverse. Not only that, but when I let off the gas and decelerate, it makes a whole lot more noise. If I was racing it would not be a problem, but this is a daily driver and it is annoying. I don't know if I could sell it like it is now either. The BG syncroshift seemed to help though, and the shifter is definitely smoother but not perfect. I don't understand why the clutch engages at the very top of the release, yet has to be pushed all the way to the floor for a clean shift.

 

I just did it. Did maybe 2 full rotations.

Felt a little better, but not earth shattering. Probably worth doing however.

 

Don't go too far with the adjustment. The clutch will not fully engage. The clutch will not hold as well and the throwout bearing will wear out quickly.

 

Good point. Any idea on how to tell how far is too far? Anyone have measuring tape to see how far it is stock? That way I can maybe move it a little closer but still far enough away to get the better feel.

 

I would say don't go more than 3 full turns.

The guy above made a very good point( which I forgot to mention).
Thanks for pointing that out.

Turning to much will have negative results.

 

O.K. I'm sorry for calling you an *** talker. Now, did you read the part about what happens when the clutch does not fully disengage????? No amount of shift style change will cure that, other than letting the revs fall way down in the range.

Just stop and think for a second, how many cars are built each week. Don't you think it is possible that at least a few will have /require different adjustment on the clutch pedal given that every car is a little bit different?

This may not cure all probelms, and I'm sure in many cases the driver is at fault. However in both my case the guy who started this thread, the pedal height adjustment cured the problem. So if this is a driver issue or q weighted shift knob issue please explain how the pedal adjustment could solve the problem in our cases????

 

i did it yesterday, one turn did the job.

 

There has to be some free play in the pedal so that the piston in the master cylinder can move far enough back to allow the hydraulic line to see the clutch reservior. One symptom of not enough free play is that the clutch engagement point will vary as the hydraulic fluid heats up during normal driving.

 

glad it worked out for you 300evo.

I am not stating this will cure all the symptoms, it's just another way to try to cure the problem.

 

I tried doing it yesterday... but I didn't have the right size wrench. I tried one of those adjustable open wrenches, but it was too bulky to fit in the space. Yup, I'm mechanically challenged

 

You need a 12mm open wrench and a small plier.