Clutch pedal

Hi everyone, quick question. A bit unsure about this.

I'm having trouble pulling away with my Jimny. The clutch pedal has a lot of travel from the firewall before it starts to audibly engage. It often makes me take minutes to get it right and sometimes I release a bit too fast to quickly get rid of the travel, but the engine stalls because I did it too fast.

So my question is, is it me or the Jimny?
Will I have to train myself to get used to the position the pedal starts to engage the clutch or can I adjust the pedal or something?

Also, what is the switch that gets pressed by the clutch pedal arm?

Any input appreciated.

Hi,
you can adjust the clutch cable. If you push down on the pedal (by hand) you should feel a point about 10mm down at which the pedal gets harder to press. That is the clutch plate engagement, the first 10mm is free play, but held up by a return spring, so you need to feel for this change.
You adjust it at the bell housing end of the cable. So try adjusting first.
I think the switch is to check you have the clutch press before 4x4 low can be engaged (not 100% sure).
 

Hi,

Okay so I checked the freeplay, about 10mm like you said. But then when I press the pedal further with my hand, it is hard to press, until it becomes easier to press again, which is when it is conpletely pressed down against the firewall.

The further out from the firewall before the clutch bites is an indication of clutch wear. Ultimately it will move all the way out and nothing will happen, although clutch slip will intervene first.

Roger

Your description matches how my clutch feels, as you say it gets easier towards the firewall. Is it consistent? Try it a few times to see if things change. As Roger said it's possible your clutch is past its best, how many miles do you think it's done?
​​​​​​I would say there is no "knack" to a Jimmy clutch, they just work or don't.

Oh no. It hasn't slipped yet. Haven't checked thoroughly yet, but it feels like the pedal travels almost halfway or a little less from the firewall before it bites.

Yes, ever since I bought it, it was like this, that is why I thought that maybe it has a knack to it, but wanted to hear from you guys that actually know the Jimny well. It has close to 170 000 km on the clock now, with no indication it has ever been changed.I'm the third owner, and judging about how extremely dirty and rusty looking the chassis and under carriage is suggests it has done some offroading a lot too. I did replace the leaking rear diff pinion seal, so is that an indication of wear on other parts?

I'll try it some more tomorrow and see what it does for what it's worth.

So as Roger says about clutch slip that would kick in at some point. So where abouts should I change gears? Currently I find 3000 rpm to be smooth for the engine when changing as it does'nt stutter or anything.

If that rpm works for you and your Jimmy then I would say that's perfect.
Its a personal thing, the Jimmy engine is very responsive over the entire rev range.
I tend to shift before 3000 as it suits my driving style, but I have shifted near the redline on hills with my caravan on the back. Jimmy is happy at both ends to be honest, short shifting or revving it hard, it makes no difference to the engine.
 

Torque is what causes a dying clutch to finally give up the ghost, so if you find out where max. torque is and stay away from it you will get the max life out of the clutch.

But the inevitable will catch you up. Try this. Try a rapid start with 4,000 rpm and before the clutch is fully engaged dip the pedal slightly. A good clutch will cope and grip, a well worn one will see the revs soar. Now back off the power and the clutch will struggle to cope. If it does this get it changed. All this assumes the clutch is correctly adjusted.

Roger

Are you new to driving manual? If so, get someone who knows how the clutch should feel and let them drive it.

His Jimny has done 170,000 km

l would say with some degree of certainty that the clutch at the end of its life and he needs a new one fitted.