The clutch cable runs from the clutch pedal inside the car to the clutch itself at the front of the transmission. The cable applies tension to the clutch plate when the pedal is pressed, resulting in engagement. When engaged, the clutch disengages the transmission and places it into the equivalent of neutral, thereby allowing gear changes. Over time, the clutch cable can wear, fray or completely break. If it breaks you will not be able to engage the clutch and shift gears while the car is running. Maintain your clutch cable and replace it before this occurs.
Remove the plastic fuse box located next to the battery toward the center of the engine. Beneath the box you will find the clutch cable. Just beyond the point where the cable enters the clutch housing there is a small plastic cap covering a window into the clutch housing. Remove this cap.
Look into the window and find the end of the clutch cable which is slotted into a groove at the back end of the clutch housing. Pull the cable out of the groove and release it with your fingers or a pair of needle-nose pliers. There are two washers holding the clutch fork in place inside the housing. Remove these washers once the cable has been released.
Follow the clutch cable back to the firewall and locate the place where it passes through to the clutch pedal. There is a rubber protector over the cable at this point and a slotted rubber grommet underneath. Use a butter knife or putty knife to push underneath the rubber shield and pressure the rubber grommet out of its firewall notch. Release the cable from its holder behind the clutch pedal inside the car, then remove it by pulling it from the engine side of the firewall.
Have an assistant compress the clutch spring on the new cable by hand and keep it that way during the entire installation. Pass the cable through the firewall and place the in-car end of the cable into its vacated position behind the pedal. Set the firewall grommet in place and continue to feed the cable toward the clutch end. Replace the washers inside the clutch housing and lay the cable into place.
Pull on the cable end with vice grips to place it into its final set notch inside the clutch housing. Adjust the tension of the cable by expanding the spring until the clutch pedal reaches the desired position. Replace the fuse box and clutch housing plug. Test the car by driving through the gears.
