Clutch pedal has a step?

Question

The vehicle is a 1993 Lancer Evo

idk how to explain this but my clutch pedal sorta has 2 positions? When I press it with little force it stops and I can engage gears. It's a little tough though and a little grindy (especially reverse). Now if I press it with little force and it stops and THEN I apply more force it goes all the way in and all gears engage perfectly with very little force required.

Here's a demonstration: https://youtu.be/HX51kO6NxJM

In the video you can hear the car shaking and my seat belt buckle squeaking (lol) while in gear (00:03). But when I press the pedal with a lot of force applied it doesn't do that in gear (00:08) Also at 00:42 you can see me press the pedal forcefully all the way in and put it in gear, then let out the pedal to the "step" point and the engine barely drops RPM. In comparison when I press the pedal in with little force and try let it out a little bit the engine drops RPM significantly and the car starts shaking again (00:37)

All this is done while car is parked and parking brake applied

I hope it's not a bearing or fork issue. Maybe low fluid or air in system?

Answer 1

My first thought on this is that they’re may be an air bubble in the hydraulic system. The first movement may be air being compressed, then the final movement is the clutch being released.

I would pump fresh fluid through the system and try to remove any air.

Answer 2

After your second video (the YouTube short), if the squeak you're talking about is very audible when the car is off, then that is either the pivot on the clutch fork (what engages the throwout bearing) or it's pressure plate as it is being articulated. Depending on how many miles are on this clutch, I'd suggest it's the latter.

If you take a look at the second video and not the position of the clutch fork end within the area it can traverse (there is a rubber grommet over it to keep the dirt out), you'll notice it is very close to the "disengaged" side of things. ("Disengaged" meaning the to the side where the clutch disengages and allows the engine to spin free.) To me, this should be a lot closer to center of the hole or even closer to the other side. This indicates to me there is probably friction disk material wear. I think that is why you are getting further clutch pedal travel before the throwout bearing makes contact with the clutch fingers.

Bottom line is, I think your clutch is about worn out and needs replacement. If this is a newer clutch, then I'm probably all out in the breeze.