Driving without the clutch *UPDATED* - New problem :(

[KingDustin]

Hello again!

While swapping the transmission on my current 96 Legacy I decided to do the clutch as well, since the tranny was out. When I took my old clutch out it turns out that it actually has some life left in it. I recently came across a deal I couldn't pass up on Craigslist, a 95 Legacy wagon, in immaculate condition, only problem was the dead clutch. :cool:

A friend and I went down to take a look at it and we were both very impressed, it looked like it just came out of the showroom! The engine ran great and we didn't see any fluid leaks. The owner let us test drive it, started in 2nd to get it going, around the block and overall it ran great. We ending up picking it up for the very fair price of $700. We left it at the guys house, as it is about an hour away from our hometown and we were hoping to pick it up this weekend if we could track down a trailer. Turns out my trailer guy might actually be using his trailer this weekend so my friend brought up the idea of driving it back, without the clutch.

I know it's possible but my question is how hard is it actually? And how hard is it on the transmission, synchros, etc? Luckily there aren't many stops, just hop on the interstate and if we could get into 5th it should be a pretty easy drive. Would you recommend it or try to find another trailer and just tow it back? Pros and Cons of each?

[kimokalihi]

Its not that hard if you're good with a manual. The hard part is taking off.

[98legacygt22]

Shut the car off when you come to a stop and just start it in gear, might be a little on hill starts but I did it once and my trans is still fine.

[Dead91silvia]

Driving without a clutch is easy really... Basiclly you just need to do really good RPM matching. Every now and then I'll play around and do it with what ever stick shift I'm driving...

Examples:
-Clutch cable broke in my 1970 Volvo 142. Drove it home 4 blocks.
-Got my 94 Toyota truck with a broke clutch fork. Took it for a test drive after I trailered it home without a clutch.
-Drove my 83 Celica for over 50 miles when a blew out my master cylinder at the race track.
-drove my 80 datsun pickup 6 miles with a bleed out master cylinder.
-Clutch exploded in my 67 Chevy with a 2000 lb load helping a friend move. Was bound up. Drove 25 miles like that with a 400hp and a truck 4 speed.
-Slave cylinder blew on my 84 Toyota 4x4 when wheeling. Drove 60 miles home....

It's easy, you just need to make sure your shift points are good. You can even down shift pretty easy as well. Like I said, I do this for fun sometimes or to kinda show off.. :lol: I sometimes try it with random cars like my customers Lexus IS300. Works well even in that.

Big this is to make sure the sycros are lined u proper with the RPM. :smt023

[kimokalihi]

My friends step dad does daily in all his cars. Hardly uses the clutch except for taking off.

[KingDustin]

Hmm....I am still hoping to get the trailer but I'm glad to know it is possible without causing too much extra damage. I might have to practice a little tonight in my car and see how I feel about doing it.

[kimokalihi]

You won't cause any damage if you don't force it in when it grinds. Its all about timing the throttle.

[pleaidestar]

I had to do that with my prelude, I drove it about fifteen miles rev-matching. Its not hard...when your in gear and about to shift down or up just bump the throttle a bit and you can feel the stick want to pull itself into gear. Push the stick toward the gate you want and bum the throttle and you got it. If you know anyone that drives an eighteen wheeler ask them about it too those guys don't push the clutch in until they are either taking off or backing up into a loading dock.

[ctbrighton]

have your friend give you a bump-start at every light or stop sign. Can't imagine theres that many in wyoming.

[Dead91silvia]

You dont even need to do that, just start it in gear.

[KingDustin]

Good news, I did get a truck and trailer and got it back home! :grin:

We took it apart and the clutch fork was toast, cracked through the side. The clutch itself looked fine but just to be safe I went ahead and threw in my Exedy OEM replacement clutch and flywheel I was going to use on my other leggy. It drove fine for awhile, my friend drove it back into town from my parents shop and it shifted great, everything felt awesome.

We got back to my apartment and my gf went to drive it (it's going to be her leggy) and she said it felt weird. We thought it was just the new clutch so my friend went to drive it again and all 4 brakes seemed to be locked up. It was stuck in the middle of the road, we couldn't get it to move at all. I remembered reading something about the hill holder function on some subies, so I am thinking this might be the cause but I'm not sure. We didn't get a chance to look at it much last night, it was about 15 degrees and we didn't have enough light but I did end up getting it moved, I loosened the lower nuts on the clutch cable, what I think was the hill holder portion, and turned off the car and pumped the brakes. I started it again and it seemed fine but to be safe we parked it for the night until we can take a better look at it.

Any ideas on what could be the issue? I work four tens so the soonest I'll be able to look at it during the day will be Friday so I just wanted to see if there were any other things I should look for?

[KingDustin]

Update - Got a chance to look at it last week, it was def the hill holder. I tried adjusting it but it got stuck again so I just removed it completely, car is running like a champ now. :cool:

[98legacygt22]

Update - Got a chance to look at it last week, it was def the hill holder. I tried adjusting it but it got stuck again so I just removed it completely, car is running like a champ now. :cool:

and this was a 2nd gen legacy? I didn't know they had a hill holder function

[KingDustin]

Yep. I've had it on all of my subies besides my 02 wrx and auto legacy turbo wagon ha.