WRX Stiff Clutch (does OEM offer a replacement setup requiring less pedal pressure?)
#1
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dale City, VA
Posts: 12
Car Info: Silver 05 Wagon
WRX Stiff Clutch (does OEM offer a replacement setup requiring less pedal pressure?)
HI,
I used to own a 2002 WRX 5-speed Wagon and later traded it in for a 2005 RS Wagon (auto). One of the reasons for trading it in was that clutch was very stiff and after a few years gave my left knee a lot of pain, plus sitting in stop and go traffic was no fun and smoked up the clutch a bit. Did Subaru ever improve the clutch action so it wouldn't so stiff? I wouldn't mind buying another WRX since you can only find them as 5-speeds plus they are more fun to drive.
Thanks, Jim
I used to own a 2002 WRX 5-speed Wagon and later traded it in for a 2005 RS Wagon (auto). One of the reasons for trading it in was that clutch was very stiff and after a few years gave my left knee a lot of pain, plus sitting in stop and go traffic was no fun and smoked up the clutch a bit. Did Subaru ever improve the clutch action so it wouldn't so stiff? I wouldn't mind buying another WRX since you can only find them as 5-speeds plus they are more fun to drive.
Thanks, Jim
#3
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dale City, VA
Posts: 12
Car Info: Silver 05 Wagon
My clutch was pretty stiff and wasn't bad generally speaking until I had to drive 10 mile each way in stop and go traffic in DC. You need to give the clutch strong push and it would give your knee a workout. The dealer later said that other customers complained and Subaru was going to lighten the clutch to make it smoother. Not too sure about the truth on that. Anyhow, my wifes neck got stiff from the shifting.
#4
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sacramento CA
Posts: 10,029
Car Info: 02 Impreza WRX sedan
The '02 WRX clutch might seem like it requires a lot of pedal pressure to operate, but it's not out of line with a vehicle with that sort of engine torque output. A WRX is always going to have a stiffer clutch than say an old Honda Civic or a Nissan Sentra, but my old Dodge turbo car (2.2 liter) had a stiffer clutch action than a WRX, and my old Camaro had a really hard clutch pedal using an aftermarket Borg & Beck-style clutch. I don't know if Subaru ever came up with a solution to the complaints, but you could always look into the aftermarket replacements and ask the vendors/manufacturers how the pedal pressure compares with OEM. Stay away from race-style clutches - stick with factory type diaphragm clutches. There are multiple disc clutches offered for some vehicles that require far less pedal pressure but they are usually advertised as race-only and are very costly. These utilize two or more clutch discs for increased frictional surface area to handle increased engine torque, rather than relying on additional spring tension built into the clutch pressure plate.
#5
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Car Info: Evo X GSR, F250 Powerstroke Diesel
Yea I hear you about the stiff clutch problem. I have to sit in traffic too and it really makes my knee ache sometimes. it would be nice to have a nice aftermarket clutch that had ok pedal pressure.
#6
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 136
Car Info: Subaru WRX Impreza
I think all Subaru's have stiff clutchs'. When my friends test drove my wrx when I first got it they said it was stiff as hell. I don't even notice it anymore now, although, it does suck driving in traffic with a stiff clutch.
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