1995 "Corolla" : clutch grabs too soon

I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
likely problem?

Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
speak to the mechanic.

On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
[color=blue]
>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>likely problem?
>
>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>speak to the mechanic.[/color]

Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
that.

Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
communicating the problem you're having. :-)

"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
news:fva3h2hb214ja1o6l8a38q030rt7508n6e@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>>likely problem?
>>
>>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>>speak to the mechanic.[/color]
>
> Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
> could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
> the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
> that.
>
> Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
> too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
> him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
> victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
> communicating the problem you're having. :-)
>[/color]

There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP should
check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to the
brake master cylinder.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 17:09:12 -0400, Stuart Krivis
<jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>[color=green]
>>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>>likely problem?
>>
>>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>>speak to the mechanic.[/color]
>
>Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
>could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
>the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
>that.
>
>Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
>too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
>him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
>victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
>communicating the problem you're having. :-)[/color]

I hate to break it to you but you don't know a damned thing about
Toyota clutches....

Your advice will make the OP look stupid.

Thanks for your input....


--

Scott in Florida

On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:45:50 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
>news:fva3h2hb214ja1o6l8a38q030rt7508n6e@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>>>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>>>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>>>likely problem?
>>>
>>>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>>>speak to the mechanic.[/color]
>>
>> Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
>> could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
>> the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
>> that.
>>
>> Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
>> too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
>> him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
>> victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
>> communicating the problem you're having. :-)
>>[/color]
>
>There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP should
>check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to the
>brake master cylinder.[/color]

I wasn't sure whether that year used a hydraulic clutch or not, thus I
covered both bases. :-)

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:35:30 GMT, Scott in Florida
<askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 17:09:12 -0400, Stuart Krivis
><jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>>>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>>>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>>>likely problem?
>>>
>>>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>>>speak to the mechanic.[/color]
>>
>>Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
>>could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
>>the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
>>that.
>>
>>Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
>>too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
>>him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
>>victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
>>communicating the problem you're having. :-)[/color]
>
>I hate to break it to you but you don't know a damned thing about
>Toyota clutches....
>
>Your advice will make the OP look stupid.
>
>Thanks for your input....[/color]

So tell us, oh Wise Scott from Florida, what is your diagnosis of the
problem?

What part of the clutch isn't disengaging soon enough do you disagree
with? Or maybe we should say it's engaging too soon? Would that make
you happier?

Does Toyota use Wonderclutches (TM) that are different from every
other diaphragm clutch used in millions of other cars? They don't have
pressure plates, throwout bearings, and don't engage with the
flywheel?

Or are you confusing it with the clutch purse you carry when you're
being a lesbian? :-)

Why would the OP telling their mechanic
[color=blue][color=green]
>>Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
>>too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
>>him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
>>victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
>>communicating the problem you're having. :-)[/color][/color]

make them look stupid?

I have a friend who's a mechanic and we've talked about how customers
know nothing, and service writers are worse, etc. All he wants to know
is a concise and accurate description of the symptoms of the problem.
He can then diagnose it. He does not at all want the customer to
diagnose the problem because it just wastes his time.

Oh, it's also possible that the clutch is badly worn, but the mechanic
can quickly figure that out if adjustment or adding fluid doesn't
solve the problem. I didn't see any point in the OP telling their
mechanic this because it isn't clear that this is the real problem.
You just tell the mechanic the symptoms and then (s)he does his or her
job.

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 08:25:01 -0400, Stuart Krivis
<jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:45:50 -0500, "Ray O"
><rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
>>news:fva3h2hb214ja1o6l8a38q030rt7508n6e@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>>> On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>>>
>>>>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>>>>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>>>>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>>>>likely problem?
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>>>>speak to the mechanic.
>>>
>>> Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
>>> could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
>>> the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
>>> that.
>>>
>>> Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
>>> too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
>>> him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
>>> victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
>>> communicating the problem you're having. :-)
>>>[/color]
>>
>>There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP should
>>check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to the
>>brake master cylinder.[/color]
>
>I wasn't sure whether that year used a hydraulic clutch or not, thus I
>covered both bases. :-)
>[/color]

Right....

You covered nothing...

Your knowledge is overwhelming....

NOT.....

--

Scott in Florida

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 08:48:17 -0400, Stuart Krivis
<jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote:
[color=blue][color=green]
>>I hate to break it to you but you don't know a damned thing about
>>Toyota clutches....
>>
>>Your advice will make the OP look stupid.
>>
>>Thanks for your input....[/color]
>
>So tell us, oh Wise Scott from Florida, what is your diagnosis of the
>problem?[/color]

What I do is not answer a question if I don't know a damned thing
about the OPs question.

You should do the same.


--

Scott in Florida

"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
news:t215h2ttf4h813kl57pt3lj39ifdqlgnjc@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:45:50 -0500, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>
>>"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
>>news:fva3h2hb214ja1o6l8a38q030rt7508n6e@4ax.com...[color=darkred]
>>> On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>>>
>>>>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>>>>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>>>>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>>>>likely problem?
>>>>
>>>>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>>>>speak to the mechanic.
>>>
>>> Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
>>> could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
>>> the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
>>> that.
>>>
>>> Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
>>> too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
>>> him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
>>> victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
>>> communicating the problem you're having. :-)
>>>[/color]
>>
>>There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP should
>>check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to the
>>brake master cylinder.[/color]
>
> I wasn't sure whether that year used a hydraulic clutch or not, thus I
> covered both bases. :-)
>[/color]

AFAIK, Toyota has used hydraulic clutches exclusively at least back to 1978.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 12:52:19 GMT, Scott in Florida
<askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 08:25:01 -0400, Stuart Krivis
><jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>On Wed, 20 Sep 2006 16:45:50 -0500, "Ray O"
>><rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>
>>>"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
>>>news:fva3h2hb214ja1o6l8a38q030rt7508n6e@4ax.com...
>>>> On 20 Sep 2006 13:53:40 -0700, [email]n.torrey.pines@gmail.com[/email] wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>I noticed lately, that the clutch in my '95 Prizm grabs too soon, i.e.
>>>>>when the pedal is almost completely depressed. Shifting isn't as easy
>>>>>as a few weeks ago: sometimes the gear even gets stuck. What's the most
>>>>>likely problem?
>>>>>
>>>>>Thanks for you help. I don't want to look like an easy victim when I
>>>>>speak to the mechanic.
>>>>
>>>> Your clutch isn't disengaging enough when you depress the pedal. It
>>>> could be as simple as needing an adjustment or some fluid, although
>>>> the fact that it changed suddenly suggests it may be more serious than
>>>> that.
>>>>
>>>> Telling your mechanic what you said above about the clutch grabbing
>>>> too soon and that shifting is harder than a few weeks ago should tell
>>>> him what he needs to know and I don't think you'll look like an easy
>>>> victim. I think you'll actually look pretty observant and good at
>>>> communicating the problem you're having. :-)
>>>>
>>>
>>>There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP should
>>>check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to the
>>>brake master cylinder.[/color]
>>
>>I wasn't sure whether that year used a hydraulic clutch or not, thus I
>>covered both bases. :-)
>>[/color]
>
>Right....
>
>You covered nothing...
>
>Your knowledge is overwhelming....
>
>NOT.....[/color]

Enlighten us, O Wise One.

You haven't added anything of substance to this discussion so far, but
that's par for the course for you.

LOL LOL LOL ROFLMAO

I win.

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:15:29 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue][color=green][color=darkred]
>>>There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP should
>>>check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to the
>>>brake master cylinder.[/color]
>>
>> I wasn't sure whether that year used a hydraulic clutch or not, thus I
>> covered both bases. :-)
>>[/color]
>
>AFAIK, Toyota has used hydraulic clutches exclusively at least back to 1978.[/color]

Ok, my experience doesn't go back nearly that far.

I do think it was a very good idea. It makes easy to make a RHD or LHD
car, and it's superior to cables or linkages.

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:12:53 -0400, Stuart Krivis
<jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote:
[color=blue]
>Enlighten us, O Wise One.
>
>You haven't added anything of substance to this discussion so far, but
>that's par for the course for you.
>[/color]


Nah....you just demonstrated what an ass you are.

I didn't add anything to this discussion, because I don't know.

You showed you didn't know a damned thing about the subject and made
an ass of yourself.


--

Scott in Florida

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 17:47:55 GMT, Scott in Florida
<askifyouwant@mindspring.net> wrote:
[color=blue]
>On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 13:12:53 -0400, Stuart Krivis
><jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote:
>[color=green]
>>Enlighten us, O Wise One.
>>
>>You haven't added anything of substance to this discussion so far, but
>>that's par for the course for you.
>>[/color]
>
>
>Nah....you just demonstrated what an ass you are.
>
>I didn't add anything to this discussion, because I don't know.
>
>You showed you didn't know a damned thing about the subject and made
>an ass of yourself.[/color]

If you don't know, how can you judge what I said?

Oh, wait, you operate from a lack of valid information all the time,
as evidenced by your posts on politics. :-)

"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
news:vej5h21bdn64lkdrthai5gl8huad75dpne@4ax.com...[color=blue]
> On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:15:29 -0500, "Ray O"
> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>[color=green][color=darkred]
>>>>There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP
>>>>should
>>>>check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to
>>>>the
>>>>brake master cylinder.
>>>
>>> I wasn't sure whether that year used a hydraulic clutch or not, thus I
>>> covered both bases. :-)
>>>[/color]
>>
>>AFAIK, Toyota has used hydraulic clutches exclusively at least back to
>>1978.[/color]
>
> Ok, my experience doesn't go back nearly that far.[/color]

Yup, I'm old. When I started tinkering with cars, they had points and
condensers, front drum brakes were common, power brakes and power steering
were not standard on all cars, front doors had vent windows, seat belts did
not include shoulder belts, rear defoggers, FM radios, and headrests were
optional. Radial tires, stereo radios and 8-track tape players were the
wave of the future. 2-speed automatics were common, all head lights were
round.

Through the 1978 model year, no Toyota sold in the U.S., had an MSRP over
$9,999. The 1979 1/2 Supra and Cressida were the first Toyotas that, when
loaded with accessories, cost over $10,000, requiring a modification of the
Monroney Label so that the $ sign was not obscured. The Supra and Cressida
were also the first Toyotas sold in the U.S. with EFI.
--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

--

Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)

On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 14:01:31 -0500, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
[color=blue]
>
>"Stuart Krivis" <jd@mongo.krivis.com> wrote in message
>news:vej5h21bdn64lkdrthai5gl8huad75dpne@4ax.com...[color=green]
>> On Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:15:29 -0500, "Ray O"
>> <rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>>>>There is no adjustment to a hydraulically actuated clutch. The OP
>>>>>should
>>>>>check the fluid level in the clutch master cylinder, which is next to
>>>>>the
>>>>>brake master cylinder.
>>>>
>>>> I wasn't sure whether that year used a hydraulic clutch or not, thus I
>>>> covered both bases. :-)
>>>>
>>>
>>>AFAIK, Toyota has used hydraulic clutches exclusively at least back to
>>>1978.[/color]
>>
>> Ok, my experience doesn't go back nearly that far.[/color]
>
>Yup, I'm old. When I started tinkering with cars, they had points and
>condensers, front drum brakes were common, power brakes and power steering
>were not standard on all cars, front doors had vent windows, seat belts did
>not include shoulder belts, rear defoggers, FM radios, and headrests were
>optional. Radial tires, stereo radios and 8-track tape players were the
>wave of the future. 2-speed automatics were common, all head lights were
>round.[/color]

I'm well-acquainted with a lot of that. I learned to drive on a '72
Mercury Monterey (in '76), we also had a '61 Ford Fairlane for 20
years, and I owned a '67 Chevy C-60 for a while too.

I think the Monterey had front disks and that was a big woo-hoo! item.
:-) I think it may have also had shoulder belts in the front driver
and passenger, although not the middle position or back seat.

The Fairlane and C-60 had power nothing (hehe), the Fairlane had three
on the tree, and both had vent windows (those were great!). I'm not
sure that seatbelts were even standard on the Fairlane, although ours
had them. The C-60 had a 390 bigblock, a 5-speed Spicer tranny and a
split rear axle. It was actually fun to drive.

FM radio? I didn't have one in a car until 1980. The Fairlane had a
tube AM radio. :-)

I remember the Powerglides, although I never drove anything with one.
A friend who built a small dragster used one I think.

I still have a use for round headlights. There used to be an
organization for the blind that sold these troublelights they made. It
was a round headlight, a rubber toilet plunger (just the rubber part),
and a handlegrip for a bicycle, plus the wire, plug and stuff. (The
headlight was inside the plunger and the grip stuck off the back where
the wooden handle of the plunger would normally be.) I still use it
occasionally.