Normal or Abnormal?
 

I've had my '04 WRX for less than a week and everything seems almost perfect. However, I have two concerns. First, it seems my clutch is fully engaging a bit high. By the time it engages, the clutch pedal is basically all the way up. Is this normal, especially with regard to the '04's? If not, is there a way for the dealer to adjust the clutch? I used to adjust my previous car's clutch myself, but I am not touching the WRX since it is under warranty. I test drove an '02 WRX a year or so ago, and I know the clutch engaged much lower. The '04's I tested prior to buying mine seemed to engage slightly lower as well. Second, and much less important, the parking brake doesn't engage unless it is all the way up and can't go any further. This really isn't a problem, but I'm wondering if this is normal also. Thanks in advance for any input you can provide. It is much appreciated.

I can't answer your orginial question, however I did test drive an 03 WRX today and when I parked it I was afraid to get out of the car because when I pulled up on the parking brake it was so easy that I didn't even feel like it was engaged. Of course I left the car in gear, but I was still wondering if the parking brake had engaged or not!

How do you like the seats in the 04 compared to the 02? I just test drove a used 03 today and I loved the seats. I decided for the money I'm better off getting the 2004, but when I was looking through the brochoure I noticed the seats in the 2004 look different? Are they just as supportive?

Thanks for the reply, Zoso. Most of the interior is changed in the '04's, including the seats as you said (not sure if they are similar to the '03 seats). I love the new seats. They are extremely supportive and look awesome. I can't comment on a comparison between the '02 and '04 seats because I only test drove an '02 once. I can't honestly remember how the seats were. With regard to the parking brake, mine goes up extremely easy as well. It only engages once the lever reaches the very top. That worries me. All in all, my advice is to go with the '04. You'll love it.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Zoso [/i]
[B]I can't answer your orginial question, however I did test drive an 03 WRX today and when I parked it I was afraid to get out of the car because when I pulled up on the parking brake it was so easy that I didn't even feel like it was engaged. Of course I left the car in gear, but I was still wondering if the parking brake had engaged or not!

How do you like the seats in the 04 compared to the 02? I just test drove a used 03 today and I loved the seats. I decided for the money I'm better off getting the 2004, but when I was looking through the brochoure I noticed the seats in the 2004 look different? Are they just as supportive? [/B][/QUOTE]

Clutch and Brake
 

On my 03 WRX the clutch engages about 2/3 of the way up from the floor. Pretty high up.

My parking brake really kicks in at about a 45 degree angle. Seems right on.

:-)
DannB

Re: Clutch and Brake
 

Thanks for the reply, Dan. Mine engages higher than that; more like 3/4 of the way up from the floor. By the time it grabs completely and I'm fully moving in first gear, the clutch pedal is at the very top. I guess this is normal though. I'll get used to it.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by DannyB [/i]
[B]On my 03 WRX the clutch engages about 2/3 of the way up from the floor. Pretty high up.[/B][/QUOTE]

For the clutch, you should check the clutch freeplay. It's hydraulic system, you can look up the instruction from the service manual.

For the emergency brake, it should be fully engaged after 6-7 clicks. Pull it up slowly and listen for how many clicks before you can't pull it anymore. It would require adjustment if it's out of the range.

I did both these things already, per the service manual. Clutch freeplay (if I am understanding correctly) should be about 1/2 an inch. The freeplay seems to be about right. I still wish the clutch engaged somewhat lower though. If what I've read is correct, you are unable to adjust a hydraulic clutch, so I guess there is nothing that can be done. My parking break engages after five clicks, so I am not concerned about that anymore. Thanks for the reply.

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by RRRKim [/i]
[B]For the clutch, you should check the clutch freeplay. It's hydraulic system, you can look up the instruction from the service manual.

For the emergency brake, it should be fully engaged after 6-7 clicks. Pull it up slowly and listen for how many clicks before you can't pull it anymore. It would require adjustment if it's out of the range. [/B][/QUOTE]

It's a pretty tight clutch. If you think the rex clutch has a short engagement, try driving an integra. The thing has about 2 inchees of actual engagement. Most performance orientated cars are like this. My friend who drives a jetta can hardly get my car rolling he stalls it so often. Whenever I drive his car I always burn his clutch up since it engages so slowly. Slow engagement = good for trucking around town, quick engagement = can be modulated more quickly and power applied more quickly while shifting gears.

Man, dont complain, drive my old 95 Impreza with a Cable clutch, its got about 3x the amount of movement of the WRX clutch and engages about 3/4's of the way up... Takes your whole leg to operate :p

As for the e-brake, yes you have to yank the crap out of that biatch to get it engaged. Dont feel bad about pulling it as hard as you can to engage it.

I drove a '93 SE-R for over four years. I am no stranger to cable driven clutches. :)

[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Kostamojen [/i]
[B]Man, dont complain, drive my old 95 Impreza with a Cable clutch, its got about 3x the amount of movement of the WRX clutch and engages about 3/4's of the way up... Takes your whole leg to operate :p

As for the e-brake, yes you have to yank the crap out of that biatch to get it engaged. Dont feel bad about pulling it as hard as you can to engage it. [/B][/QUOTE]