Does the Outback clutch have to be heavy?

[RockyRoad]

Started driving a 2003 Outback with a (proverbial)10 tonne clutch pedal.
So heavy I got joint pain in my knee after a 40Km city drive. First
Outback I have driven.

Other car (old Subie GL wagon) has very nice light clutch. Got back in
it and almost put my foot through the floor!

Do Outbacks have stiff clutch pedals in general? How much adjustment is
available?

 

[Jim Stewart]

Started driving a 2003 Outback with a (proverbial)10 tonne clutch pedal.
So heavy I got joint pain in my knee after a 40Km city drive. First
Outback I have driven.

Other car (old Subie GL wagon) has very nice light clutch. Got back in
it and almost put my foot through the floor!

Do Outbacks have stiff clutch pedals in general? How much adjustment is
available?

You need to do what my wife did when her knee
started hurting - Buy a WRX auto and give the
Outback to your mate


Seriously, I don't think there's anything that
can be done. I looked at the springs and adjust-
ments and couldn't see any way to reduce the
pressure.

 

[c.visser7]

Hi,
My Subaru Legacy 2.5 ltr engine with manual transaxle (138.000 kilometers)
has the same problem: a very heavy/stiff clutch. My official dealer in
Holland told me that it was common on legacy's such as mine (it could even
get worse) .
It's due to polluted or old oil in the hydrolic clutch (when worn out).
Replacement or overhaul will be an expensive operation. More problems will
occur, because taking apart the driveline will give problems in other parts
of it. Their experience was to last untill real problems occurred.

Carel
The Netherlands.

 

[jabario]

Should buy automatic. No clutch problems

 

[ed]

You need to do what my wife did when her knee
started hurting - Buy a WRX auto and give the
Outback to your mate


Seriously, I don't think there's anything that
can be done. I looked at the springs and adjust-
ments and couldn't see any way to reduce the
pressure.

Some clutches seem to get stiff with age, but I also read that the snout
where the clutch release bearing is mounted in the tranny can rub aginst the
bearing, increasing the pressure. A company made a repair sleeve to put over
the snout, but apparently they are out of business. One dealer here told me
they just sand down any ridges on the snout, put a bit of grease and install
a new clutch. Also had a friend who installed an ACT performance clutch
after the original wore out, thinking it would last longer than a stock one,
and the pedal pressure was much stiffer.

Ed B.

 

[Jim Stewart]

Some clutches seem to get stiff with age, but I also read that the snout
where the clutch release bearing is mounted in the tranny can rub aginst the
bearing, increasing the pressure. A company made a repair sleeve to put over
the snout, but apparently they are out of business. One dealer here told me
they just sand down any ridges on the snout, put a bit of grease and install
a new clutch. Also had a friend who installed an ACT performance clutch
after the original wore out, thinking it would last longer than a stock one,
and the pedal pressure was much stiffer.

Yup. I remember a sad post a couple of years
ago. A guy bought a high performance clutch
package and was trying to sell it here because
his wife couldn't press the pedal down.

Mine was always hard and never got better or
worse.

 

[Mark IV]

Started driving a 2003 Outback with a (proverbial)10 tonne clutch
pedal. So heavy I got joint pain in my knee after a 40Km city drive.
First Outback I have driven.

Other car (old Subie GL wagon) has very nice light clutch. Got back in
it and almost put my foot through the floor!

Do Outbacks have stiff clutch pedals in general? How much adjustment
is available?

You're right, it is heavy. My girlfriend has an Outback and the clutch on
her car is much harder than on my Impreza. Wonder why that is? It's
basically the
same powertrain...

 

[RockyRoad]

You're right, it is heavy. My girlfriend has an Outback and the clutch on
her car is much harder than on my Impreza. Wonder why that is? It's
basically the
same powertrain...

I think I'm getting a bit more used to it after a few days (anything to
not buy an auto!)

 

[MattB]

I think I'm getting a bit more used to it after a few days (anything to
not buy an auto!)

My 04 Forester XT has a very stiff-feeling clutch and did right from the
start. It took a little getting used to but now I don't notice it. If I
drive our old '95 Kia Sportage now it feels incredibly mushy in comparison!

Matt

 

[Andy Leszczynski]

My 04 Forester XT has a very stiff-feeling clutch and did right from the
start.

I have driving 2002 Outback 4MT for 2.5 years. At the beginning could
stand it (especially in the traffic), but gradually the feeling has
vanished. Also started working out , what might be a factor too...

A.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Could be that your leg is getting stronger do to exercise?
Joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!