I am on the stock clutch with 50k miles on the car. It's now grinding when I shift into 5th. This is definitely the clutch right?

Would like to replace the clutch this summer. I have a mildly modded daily driver and I don't have plans for a turbo. Recommendations on the appropriate clutch to buy would be helpful. Want something better than stock that is reliable and will catch faster.

if it's grinding then it's more likely something tranny or hydraulic related. that basically means the clutch is either not disengaging or the syncros are worn out. does your pedal feel different or is there a drop in the clutch fluid? this would indicate a leak in the lines/cylinders.

Originally posted by MCubed45
if it's grinding then it's more likely something tranny or hydraulic related. that basically means the clutch is either not disengaging or the syncros are worn out. does your pedal feel different or is there a drop in the clutch fluid? this would indicate a leak in the lines/cylinders.

The pedal does not feel any different and my clutch fluid level has remained at max.

When I'm driving in 4th gear, I can prevent the grinding shift by slowly and carefully shifting into 5th. But if I try to shift quickly, it feels like the shifter is scraping/grinding against something.

What could be the cause of this? I assumed it is the clutch because it's my first manual car and there was that learning period of imperfect driving.

Originally posted by MattitudeV1
What could be the cause of this? I assumed it is the clutch because it's my first manual car and there was that learning period of imperfect driving.

That will next to never kill a clutch, unless it was already on its way out.

I'd say you have a syncro problem, or your shifter calbes are hitting something.

If shifts fine into 5th when I'm not driving, if that helps narrow it down.

Is there anything else I can do before having a mechanic look at it? I do have the factory manual.

Try changing the fuild. Search around, that's been discussed in depth a few times. Use dealer-only fluid.

I tried bleeding the clutch, but there was no change. There is no adjustment right?

If I change the tranny fluid and there's no metal in it, would this indicate that it's not a synchro problem?