What Causes a Car Clutch to Become Hard to Press?

[JuliannaRose]

There are several main reasons why a car clutch becomes hard to press: 1. Clutch cable wear and aging: For cable-operated clutches, the usual cause of stiffness or inability to press is due to wear and aging of the clutch cable, leading to jamming. This requires replacement at a professional repair shop, as it's difficult to do at home. 2. Hydraulic fluid aging: For hydraulic clutches, the common causes of stiffness are aging hydraulic fluid, or rust and aging of the clutch master cylinder or slave cylinder. This is the most frequent issue. Another reason could be insufficient hydraulic fluid, preventing the clutch from resetting, which also makes it hard to press. 3. Obstruction at the pedal: Vehicles equipped with electronic clutches are rare in the market, and clutch jamming is relatively uncommon. The main cause here is an obstruction at the clutch pedal, which can be resolved by removing the obstruction. Regardless of the clutch type, if the clutch release bearing is rusted and seized, it can cause clutch jamming. It is recommended to seek repair at a professional 4S shop.