1998 Forester Clutch Issues

[uhh-ohh]

Hi

I've searched and seen the postings about the '98 Forester clutch
problems. Not sure if I fall into that group.

I purchased the vehicle from the original owner when it had 28K miles
on it, and I'm now at 65K. It's always had the clutch chatter problem,
especially from a cold start or when I let the clutch out too slowly.
Honestly I thought it was just characteristic of this car, or that it
was the way I was driving.

Normally there isn't much traffic where I live but lately they've been
doing road work so there's a lot of stop/go/stop/go driving. After a
little while of this, the clutch doesn't seem to have any tension until
it's about 1/2-way depressed, and it feels very loose/spongy. Once I
leave it overnight the tension returns.

I called the Subaru dealership and they claim that there is no upgraded
clutch part for my VIN that would be offered for free installation.

Help?

Thanks,
uhh.ohh

 

[uhh-ohh]

I must add one more issue to this. The shift is very, very loose. Don't
know if this is related, but whatever the case, it has to be fixed. If
I'm in gear, it feels so loose that it seems like it could be neutral.
Lots of play, maybe 8 or 9 inches in each direction.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I must add one more issue to this. The shift is very, very loose. Don't
know if this is related, but whatever the case, it has to be fixed. If
I'm in gear, it feels so loose that it seems like it could be neutral.
Lots of play, maybe 8 or 9 inches in each direction.

Just because the dealership says there's no upgrade/TSB whatever doesn't
mean;

A. you couldn't get after market discs/flywheels

B. there isn't something worn or broken

have a reputable mechanic inspect it.


Carl

 

[mulder]

Hi

I've searched and seen the postings about the '98 Forester clutch
problems. Not sure if I fall into that group.

I purchased the vehicle from the original owner when it had 28K miles
on it, and I'm now at 65K. It's always had the clutch chatter problem,
especially from a cold start or when I let the clutch out too slowly.
Honestly I thought it was just characteristic of this car, or that it
was the way I was driving.

Normally there isn't much traffic where I live but lately they've been
doing road work so there's a lot of stop/go/stop/go driving. After a
little while of this, the clutch doesn't seem to have any tension until
it's about 1/2-way depressed, and it feels very loose/spongy. Once I
leave it overnight the tension returns.

I called the Subaru dealership and they claim that there is no upgraded
clutch part for my VIN that would be offered for free installation.

Help?

Thanks,
uhh.ohh

The problem you are describing with the pedal sounds like a bad
hydraulic cylinder. The first thing to try is bleeding the hydraulic
system, it's possible there is just some air in it. Unless you know
for a fact that the fluid has been changed recently, it should be
flushed by repeated bleeding until all the old fluid is out and has
been replaced by new clean fluid. If the pedal feels normal after
bleeding/flushing then you may have just had old contaminated fluid
and/or air in the system, but if the problem remains the next step is
to replace BOTH the master and slave cylinders and bleed the system
again. That should take care of it.
The chatter is a separate issue and will probably require a new
clutch, pressure plate, TO bearing and possibly flywheel to correct.
Depending on the condition of the flywheel it may be possible to have
it resurfaced instead of replacing it outright, but you can't tell
until everything is apart for inspection. If the flywheel has cracks
in the clutch contact area or shows discoloration (blueing) from
overheating it must be replaced.

 

[mulder]

I must add one more issue to this. The shift is very, very loose. Don't
know if this is related, but whatever the case, it has to be fixed. If
I'm in gear, it feels so loose that it seems like it could be neutral.
Lots of play, maybe 8 or 9 inches in each direction.

This again is a separate issue from your clutch related problems, most
likely worn out bushings in the shifter linkage. Although, if it
really has 8-9 inches of play and you are not exaggerating, there may
be something else wrong. Part of the shifter mechanism may have become
detached inside or under the car.

 

[uhh-ohh]

Thanks very much for your assistance in all these issues. I have a good
idea of what I have to do now. You guys are great!