Why when i step on my clutch it squeaks and shifter is stiff-what am i looking at?
It would be better if you could say whether the shifter is stiff from dry, rusty, non-maintained conditions, or if it's hard to get into the next gear, or especially difficult to downshift.
This problem has 2 possible remedies:
The 1st problem deals with dry and/or rusty linkages. The 2nd deals with low fluid due to normal wear, or a leak.
If the pedal is merely squeaking, and the shifter is stiff, I would say that the linkages need to be lubricated. As you push the pedal with your hand, see what is moving under the dash. For the pedal, under the dash find the pivot points; every where there is metal moving against metal, and apply spray 'white lithium grease' lubricant. For the shifter, CAREFULLY underneath the boot at the base of the shifter, apply lubricant where metal moves against metal. A little goes a long way. It sprays kind of runny, but after some minutes will become pasty, and it stays right where you want it. Any auto parts store carries spray white lithium grease. Use the little red spray tube to apply it.
However, and this is a big however, it is in the hydraulic clutch system, start here and go in this order:
Check the clutch fluid reservoir. This should be under the hood on the driver's side, up against the firewall.. There will be reservoirs for brake fluid and clutch fluid. Determine which is the clutch fluid and make sure the fluid is filled to the FULL line, and no more. If the reservoir is full, then you may just need an adjustment. Get a repair manual for that. If you have to add fluid, the car parts store will tell you what kind of fluid to use for your specific car. They can look it up. If there is no fluid in the reservoir, then there's a leak somewhere, and that leak needs to be found and repaired. An empty reservoir also lets air into the system, which causes difficult shifting. After properly filling a dry reservoir, it has to be bled to remove the air. If you don't know what that means, either take it to a shop or buy a repair manual at the parts store so you can do the work yourself.
It gets involved here and is more than I can tell you. It is a procedure specific to this vehicle, with components you need to locate with the aid of a repair manual.
All cars use variants of the same basic idea. It's the layout of the parts, and the vehicle specific specifications which require the use of a good repair manual.
I wish you good luck. Remember, life is short, but it's wide. If some person built it, some other person can fix it.
