Hyundai Repair: Clutch and Pedal Queries, clutch master cylinder, clutch pedal

Question
QUESTION: Dear HT

I drive a 97 Accent and have three questions to ask you. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

1) I recently replaced my clutch master cylinder (the slave was replaced a year ago). I did the replacement at Hyundai and they have ended up giving me a smaller cylinder than the one that used to be there. My clutch does feel more "springy" now. However, the clutch pedal has moved higher than where it used to sit. I had been a little high but now it is even higher to the point that I had to move the seat back a little to comensate for the high position of where it is lying.
a) Where should the clutch pedal lie?
b) should it be in line with the brake and gas pedals? a little higher or lower than them?
c) Would it go lower or continue to rise higher with everyday use?

2) I often drive in a neutral gear particularly when travelling downhill or turning into streets. I do so believing that it will prolong the clutch and engine life. When I do put the clutch back into gear, it's usually at a higher gear to compensate for the increase in speed (eg instead of 2nd gear around corners, I'm in no gear and once around the corner, I go into 3rd gear). I understand that this practice could be potentially dangerous when needing to slow down or pick up speed in circumstances... but could it be doing damage to the transmission/engine or wearing out the gearbox faster? What are your opinions especially with the pros and cons of this?

3) My vehicle is now around 78,000 miles. I don't believe the ignition leads have ever been replaced. I am able to get a very good deal on a set of Bosch leads.
a) Could I replace the original factory leads or leave them in there for now since they have done an ok job?
b) Are there any signs which would suggest that it's time to change the leads?

Thanks so much
Heb

ANSWER: 1a,b.  Usually, the clutch pedal, when released, is roughly even with the brake pedal, but can be either a little higher or lower.  I've never paid a great deal of attention to this, so I'm not really aware of any patterns of being higher or lower.  Also, I unfortunately don't have a manual transmission car handy that I can look at, which is what I wanted to do.

1c.  The position of the clutch pedal when released should not change with time.  Since you say it's rising, I suspect there may be something bent or loose under your dash.

2.  Using neutral will reduce load and wear on both the engine and transmission but will make little change to clutch wear.  Clutch wear does not occur when the clutch is fully engaged or fully released, but rather when the clutch slips when changing between engagement and release.  Technically, I think you'll have a small amount more wear on the clutch, but may achieve a savings via improved fuel economy.

3a.  You could either replace the plug wires or not.  I don't recommend using aftermarket wires, however.  Although there are many who disagree with me on this, I have yet to find aftermarket wires that are similar in quality and durability to the factory wires.  Inexpensive wires are the worst offenders.  Although Bosch has a very good name, I've personally had problems with their plug wires.

3b.  Any cracking or deterioration of the insulation is a good indicator it's time to replace the plug wires.  You should also replace them if they're arcing, causing a misfire.  My recommendation would be to consider replacing them with a new factory set at your next spark plug change.  It'll be less effort this way.  Even so, the wires are relatively easy to replace on their own, so there's no significant reason to change them unless their condition or performance indicates you should do so.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again HT

Thanks heaps for your informative answers. About the clutch pedal rising, I did mention that the clutch master cylinder had been replaced.

I had always assumed that it rose up as a consequence of that. Were you suggesting that a replacement of a clutch master cylinder should not affect the position of a clutch pedal?

Have a nice day

Answer
If the clutch pedal were abnormally low due to the improper functioning of the old master cylinder, then I'd expect it to be higher with the new one.  Otherwise, it should be the same height.  Again, I'm talking about the pedal height when your foot is off the pedal.