My clutch is starting to slip, how long....

[robdog]

Well,At 88K my clutch is starting to slip a bit. Only in 3rd or 4th only, and not terribly either, but enough to make you feel it. I had my mechanic drain and refill fluid, it got a bit better but still there a bit. Any ideas of how long before it completely goes. I have a 700 mile one way road trip coming up in a week, is it safe to take it before the clutch is done???opinions. PS the trip will be 90 75 mph highway driving to SC from PA

[Mavrik]

Really hard to say. Depends on the road conditions... any nice long hills or anything? Personally I like having my car in working order before going on a trip. I'd play it safe and get it done before. Safes you from being stranded possibly sniffing in burnt clutch smoke.

[RIT]

I agree with Mav. Look at it this way. If you fix if before you leave, it will cost you $X, and if it fails on the road, it will cost you a tow truck, a couple of nights lodging, and you will pay $2*X for the job, because the mechanic will have you over the barrell. No reason to wait - it will not heal itself, and it will only get worse.

[djb383]

Get 'er done. In your post, are you saying changing the tranny oil made the slipping clutch a bit better?

[robdog]

Well, it didn't make it any worse, perhaps it was just in my head. I think I will heed everyones advice and get it done.Thanks for the opinions.

[goodvibe]

The wear won't be linear any more. Once they're obviously slipping, they go fast because of added friction and heat. Just do it.

[RePo]

If you replace it now, it will just needs the friction plate. If you wait and let 'er slip on a long trip, it'll score the flywheel and now we're just adding more expense. And Rit has it right- driving into a roadside repair is a worst case scenario. Take the high road- get 'er done.