The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hey guys,

Was driving home from work the other day. Happened to be in 4th gear, had my hand on the lever and popped it outta gear without using the clutch, was doing maybe 60km/h, and was off the gas.

Is its something to do with the engine RPM matching the gears rotation speed?

I've heard of shifling both up and down without usining the clutch...how does this work?

I cannot seem to get it into a gear though have not tried too hard as i'm scared of doing some damage.

Smokey.

Its pretty much matching the revs.

Match the revs, be gentle but don't be afraid of the occasional cruntch. It's a bit of an art.

It's like driving a truck with no synchro try driving the car at about 3000 rpm in 2nd then knock it out of gear without any more acceleration then try to put it in 3rd before it gets to about 2000rpm it shoud slot stright in yes it is just lining the teeth up hope it helps

Jan

It is a bit of an art to it but once you have it sussed those long drives can be made easier by not using the clutch. You can also suss it out by flat changing but you have to be even more careful there as a stuff up can wreck a gearbox

I've been driving my wagon for about 3 weeks now with virtually no clutch. Only time I press the pedal is just before taking off.

My clutch cable is rooted and the pedal keeps falling off. Don't ask.

AHAHHA you truely scare me Tim.

Dave

after a few weeks of doing it, it actually becomes pretty easy, just don't jump in someone elses car and do it by accident (they wont like it).

Drove my L for a few months with a somehow jammed closed clutch.

Yeah it seems hard at first but once you've got used to matching revs to gears it becomes pretty easy.
You will crash gears if you try it in a car with different gear ratios! Also there are some boxes that simply don't like it (tremec T5 springs to mind... ugh).

You can actually drive fairly smoothly after a while without the clutch but the time it takes to shift gears is longer.

and downshifting for engine braking is just hard..

try braking and down shifting at the same time without a clutch, now that is an art

Left foot braking is easy, just gotta remember to be gentle with the left foot!

I don't know if the MY cable is different but I've got a couple of spare L series ones if you want one Tim.

that clutch was only replaced late last year (or was it early this year?)

Why the need for clutchless shifting?

You shouldn't have you're hand resting on the shifter whilst driving. It causes premature wear on the synchros.

As for the gear popping out? A standard trait unfortunately for lifted subarus, due to incorrect lengths with shifter linkages. You may need to alter your driving technique to help prevent this from occurring.

I wouldn't do clutchless shifts on a subaru, with a reputation for weak gearboxes and synchromesh. just not worth a gearbox change just to pick up a skill you'd virtually hardly use IMHO.

and when your using left for braking .. remember to watch out for poles as my L series would tell you, they leave a nasty dent.

mattims wrote:and when your using left for braking .. remember to watch out for poles as my L series would tell you, they leave a nasty dent.

I don't know about poles... all i know is just remember that its the brake pedal your using the left on... first few times i left braked it was a clutch pedal action i used :s At least i know my ancors work well...

Thanks for the replies guys. That makes it a little clearer for that day when I just might need to learn in a hurry...

smoov wrote: As for the gear popping out? A standard trait unfortunately for lifted subarus, due to incorrect lengths with shifter linkages. You may need to alter your driving technique to help prevent this from occurring..

I didn't say which car I was in did I.... Was in my liberty, unlifted w origional clutch and 180k on the clock. Thanks for the heads up though

Smokey.

Its a good skill to develop. You never know when you might have to drive when you've broken a clutch cable.
I snapped one in Moree on Dec 23 (Sat) & had to drive to Brisbane because I was flying overseas on boxing day. About 500kms.
Once upto speed was fine, but had to turn car off at lights & put back into 1st, then start car.
I looked like a learner:rolleyes: