How to tell if clutch is going out?

[elvis240sx]

This is just a general question. I own a sohc 240sx. I had the master cylinder replaced about 6 months ago, because it became hard to put the car into gear. This solved the problem very well. Since then, I havent had any clutch problem until now. The car easily goes into gear, but when shifting, the car seems to lurch and jump. It seems as though the clutch doesnt grab as well, or slips at first. Am i correct in thinking that this is the problem? Just to make sure that I am being clear, Ill restate the problem. When moving along and shifting, the car seems to stutter, or jump while letting the clutch out. When first taking off, it seems uneven. Sometimes is takes right off, other times it seems to sputter, or be jumpy. After 1 or 2 seconds of letting out the clutch, it goes right back to normal, so i am ruling out a fuel problem. It doesnt hesitate really, it just is jumpy and stutters. Thanks for any help.

[quiksilvia]

does it feel like ur not engaging the clutch all the way?

[elvis240sx]

this is a stupid question, but what is engaging? Would that be letting the clutch pedal out after shifting? How exactly does the clutch work? I asume that when i let the pedal out, one part of it pushes up against another part, and they then spin together to allow the power transfer? If this is the case, then it seems as though they first slip past each other, then finally grab on. I'm not very knowledgable on transmissions.

[quiksilvia]

if the slip as u say, then yes its going out. mine does that when it gets hot, but the sr goes in tomorrow so i didnt worry about it

[pball]

Well, it is slipping, but it's not gone to a fully burned clutch yet. I'm actually sitting here with my 95 240 on jackstands waiting for my mechanic buddy to help me put in a new clutch, so I've had a good rundown on how a clutch destroys itself. I'm guessing the clutch is original, on an sohc that would make it at least 10 years old. The pressure plate is worn, which means you have less clamping force and more slip. The disc is probably glazed a little, which explains the "sputter" and "jumping" - the clutch is grabbing intermittently, making the car bounce along as it slips-holds-slips-holds. To check this, get up to ~2500-3000 revs in 2nd or 3rd and then FLOOR it, if your clutch is going, there should be a significant slip up to around 5500 revs before the speed catches up. If that's the case - REPLACE THE CLUTCH ASAP. I drove around like that for a few months, I'm stuck at my parents house doing this clutch job because on Sunday, the car finally decided to just not move when i put in in gear. Stitch in time and all that...