Is a heavy or stiffer clutch a sign of a clutch wear issue?

The GT has 96k miles now and after taking a break from driving her for a bit I feel like the pedal is really heavy. I know clutch life will be different from driver to driver but seems like 100k may be reasonable.

On an unrelated note I just replaced the front pads (and rotors) for the first time at 96k and they still had some miles left in them!

 

Bueller...anyone?

 

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=hydraulic+clutch+wear

 

Not exactly an answer but thanks I guess.

Seems like a fairly simply question but there really wasn't any answer to my specific question.

I haven't experienced any slipping or any burning smells but it just seems a lot stiffer than when new. Is that normal? I've heard that the clutch and brakes share the same fluid/master cylinder so if I bleed the brakes will that have an effect on clutch pedal feel?

 

LMAO!!! Nice

 

HAHAHAH awesome!

 

Sorry couldn't help myself

I had the same question about a month ago and through my google research it seems like common symptoms are a heavier pedal and the plates not fully engaging until the pedal is almost at the top of its range of motion (the latter being what I'm getting). But I've also read that hydraulic clutches just get heavier with age. And my car's always kind of had the high engagement zone. Depending on who you talk to, symptoms can be different. That's why I pointed you at google, so you could find a common theme instead of just taking one person's word for it.

 

No worries, it was funny.

I'm actually having the opposite problem regarding clutch engagement, it engages riht away. To clarify I'm not even sure if I have a problem it just seems so heavy lately however we just bought the wife a Fiat 500c and we garaged the Mustang for a week or so just to reduce the number of miles we were putting on her.

When I went back to the stang I just couldn't believe how heavy it was but I must have just gotten used to the really light and high engagement in comparison.

Seems to engage solidly, no slipping or burning smell and it engages very quickly right after bringing your foot off the floor. I guess I'm good for now.

Thanks!

 

I don't see a location, but this is an alternate theory that was very prevalent on the T-5's with an aluminum input shaft housing. The throwout bearing can be 'sticking / seizing / galling' to the aluminum housing that guides it. It's another one of those 'lubed for life' things that sometimes just doesn't quite work out that way. If you live in either a dusty or high corrosion area this could be a possibility. Unfortunately, the only way to find out is to pull the trans.

 

The more you use the clutch the heavier it will get as the springs have to retract and expand each time you push the clutch pedal in.

If it's getting really heavy then yes a new clutch will feel much lighter if you've got 90k on your old one.