Thread: Stretched Clutch Cable? Pedal Returns slower

So as of a few weeks ago I've started to notice the clutch pedal is a bit slow on fully returning after being pressed in.

The clutch is engaging fully and seems to be disengaging fully between shifts but the pedal takes a second to pop back the final half inch of pedal play. The engagement point is the same and only seems to affect performance in the sense that the pedal doesnt spring back as quickly it used to.

All that to ask if this sounds like the clutch cable needs to be replaced. The clutch has under 20k on it and only gets DD action (no power shifting, no burnouts, launch RPMs are around 1.2 - 1.5k) and I always rev match on downshifts so I can't imagine the clutch is going out.

Any thoughts? As far as I am aware the cable has never been replaced.

Was it a OEM cable?

The pedal is not sticking to the floor? It is returning and then stopping before reaching full return, and then slowly finishing the return?

Exactly. It doesn't stick to the floor, it returns, disengages, then kinda *pops* the last half inch. I just worry its the start of something.

I'm pretty confident in saying it's a OEM cable but I do have a b14 LSD tranny in it. Not sure if that matters or not.

This is a long shot, but is the pedal return spring broken or catching on anything? Is there anything causing the pedal to bind?

It's also possible the clutch cable just needs to be adjusted (lengthened more than likely?) some.

What the hell is a clutch cable? lol j/k

If its just wanting to stick just before the fully returned spot all that is is the cable slightly stretched and just need to tighten it up. If your out of adjustment on the cable you can put some washers between the cable and bracket on the trans to give you more.

As for the pedal, it should have very little free space where the cable isnt tight. You dont want it to be tight completely as that will put unnecessary wear on your throwout bearing. so you need to leave just a tiny bit of slack but the pedal should return all the way to the top.

It does sound like a stretched cable. Just this last week when I got my white nx on the road the cable had stretched while it was setting. I could get out of the car and be standing in front of the car before it popped back up.

Replaced the cable and not only is it returning as it should but butter smooth when pressing it.

two questions:

first, if I adjust the clutch cable does that change my engagement point on the pedal?

Second, IIRC someone was saying B13 SR20 cables are becoming harder to find? Thoughts on where to get one?

Thanks guys for everything.

it will change the engagement point as far as the pedal height is concerned which is nothing to really be concerned about. You really dont even notice.

They are not getting harder to find. Greg V at Gspec.com has them for cheap and they are oem nissan units. Best place to get them hands down.