I cant shift into any gear? - Honda Prelude Forum

Unvrs421 · 12-27-2012, 02:53 PM

So yesterday I came home to grab something out of my living room. I parked my car and ran inside. I came back out 5 minutes later and started my car only to find that i could not shift into any gear(5spd). Earlier I had gotten stuck in some snow and ice, so i had spun the wheels a bit, but i never hit any pavement when I did this, therefore I didn't worry about it. Now my clutch had been slipping here and there earlier in the month but it wasn't bad, and the clutch probably only has about 65,000 miles on it. Ive never replaced the slave or master cylinder on the car and its a 99. All of this has led me to believe that either the slave or the master is the culprit, so i purchased both last night (I have yet to do the install). I come home today and start my car (it was 33 degrees outside if that matters (I wasn't sure if the cold dot3 fluid vs the hot dot3 fluid in a warmed up car could make any changes or not?)) to find that the cylinder was moving the fork when i pushed the clutch pedal in. I could also shift into any gear with ease. So now I'm all wtf mate? I guess what my long and drawn out post boils down to one question. Would you guys suspect there to be a problem with my clutch or my master/slave cylinders? It doesn't really matter which cylinder it is, since I've bought replacements for both already. Thanks for any input you guys

That 01 BB6 · 12-27-2012, 07:20 PM

You may have broke a cv-axle or intermediate shaft. The only reason I say this is because a couple of years ago I went out doing donuts in a parking lot and after I went home and parked the car. The next day I got out and started the car and it wouldn't shift into any gears. Took it to a shop and had to get new front cv-joints and axle put in. A lot of snow had gotten packed into the underside of my car and caused the damage.

I could be completely wrong, so don't go ordering more parts until you get it looked at.

indylude18 · 12-27-2012, 10:29 PM

Did you check the master and slave cylinders to see if either was leaking?

Unvrs421 · 12-31-2012, 11:02 AM

Well here is where I am at now. Ive replaced both the master and slave cylinders today, bleed the hell out of the system, and checked the adjustment of my clutch pedal. Im attaining maybe 20mm of travel from my slave which I dont think is enough. I can shift into every gear with the car turned off, and I have no proplem starting the car. Three weeks ago I replaced both axles and some other suspension stuff on the front end so I doubt that is the issue. This not being able to disengage my clutch from the flywheel crap started one day right after I finished dogging the damn thing trying to get out of some snow and ice. Now as soon as i start the car I cant shift into any gear, making the clutch pedal next to useless. I am starting to believe that there may be something lodged inbetween my flywheel and clutch disc (i.e. pressure plate finger, or more likely, a clutch spring). Another scenario that could possibly be happening I think is that I have a faulty bleed screw on my slave cylinder; but if my bleeder screw/hydrolic line was faulty wouldnt it leak? My cousin says that those systems will leak air before they will leak fluid, is that true? I am also assuming that this couldnt be a fluid level issue in the tranny since i can reach every gear with the car off. I replaced the clutch probably 65000 miles ago with an oem exedy clutch disc, oem exedy pressure plate, oem exedy throwout bearing, and a lightened fidanza flywheel. Ive been a bit rough on the car since then, but not unreasonably rough. Theres no inspection plate over the clutch either is there? Any input will be greatly considered guys, and thanks again for any and all your help. I am at a dead end.

Prelude1897 · 12-31-2012, 06:52 PM

if this thread was broken down into paragraphs, I'd be able to read it easier. I had to quit after the 6th or 7th sentence....Post some cliff notes up or something

zfinatic · 01-06-2013, 05:44 AM

If you still have fluid ill be its your throwout bearing...I was on the highway everything worked fine till I stopped at the end of an off ramp .....then the car didn't want to go into any gear without some force.....a couple springs on the pressure plate were broken as well.

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Unvrs421 · 01-17-2013, 08:32 PM

I found out today when I removed the pressure plate that my clutch disc failed. So now I'm in the market for a new clutch kit. Should I replace my fidanza flywheel as well? I am not too sure if I should replace it or not. It doesnt look to be in bad shape really, but if I already have half the engine bay ripped out I wonder if I might as well?

What brands are reliable? Exedy oem wasnt really enough so Im looking into a competition clutch. Would you recommend anything else? Im a bit curious about XTD and wanted to know if anyone has an XTD setup? If I bump up to like a stage one or two, will I still be best off to go with a honda throwout bearing?

indylude18 · 01-17-2013, 09:49 PM

No matter what clutch you get, buy an OEM throwout bearing. They are not that expensive and it's a real PITA to replace if you have issues with a cheap one.

You can reuse the flywheel, but it will need to be machined back to flat. If you don't want to deal with that, replace it.

What are you looking for in your next clutch? Something really grabby or something that is more streetable on a daily?

zfinatic · 01-20-2013, 09:57 AM

If its a fidanza fly doesn't it have the replaceable friction plate? Exedy makes the oem clutch....its really up to you. Just read reviews and search which one you want. Just stay away from cheap parts. If you're close to stock power id stay with oem replacement or a stage one.

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LowFlyin' · 01-21-2013, 01:25 PM

If you have the friction surface with holes for the retaining screws, just get a new friction surface from Fidanza.

gnxpro24 · 01-21-2013, 10:58 PM

Question. I just ordered a new Exedy clutch kit for my Prelude. Will the throwout bearing we quality enough since Exedy makes the OEM clutch? Or should I still get a "Honda" throwout?

zfinatic · 01-22-2013, 08:06 PM

I used the the one that came with it.....exedy makes the oem clutch so....up to you.

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indylude18 · 01-22-2013, 09:47 PM

The Honda bearing is better. It costs about $50. Considering the labor cost to replace it, it may or may not be worth it to you to get OEM.

Unvrs421 · 01-23-2013, 04:28 PM

The exedy throwout bearing is junk. Ill def go with a honda one this time. I dont mind grabby at all. Basically the last oem exedy disc i put in shattered simply because of how i run the car. I was thinking like a stage 1 or stage 2 comp clutch. It is my daily so I dont know. All i know is i need something tougher than the exedy oem disc. Suggestions?

Thanks for all the feedback guys!

Prelude1897 · 01-23-2013, 09:15 PM

I have an xtd clutch in 2 of my preludes with no problems at all. I have a stage 1 & 3

indylude18 · 01-23-2013, 10:05 PM

Well my centerforce dual friction clutch just blew up this week with only about ~15k on it.....so I wouldn't recommend one of those.

I'm replacing mine with a competition clutch stage 2. I can't comment personally on how it performs since it's not in yet, but it seemed to be consistently reviewed very well by everyone that had one.

Unvrs421 · 03-13-2013, 10:40 PM

competition stage one gravity clutch with fidanza fly and honda throwout bearing with 1k miles so far and no problems. Backing up is sometimes a pain, and traffic blows but it seems very strong.