I am trying to adjust the clutch cable on Nissan Micra 95. The manual says to loosen the nut on the cable, push the lever towards the rear of the car. Retighten the nut and then and retighten the large star nut then loosen back 3 turns.

All this seems very easy and a quick job BUT I cannot push the lever towards the back of the car - I have managed to move a fraction with all my weight behind an iron rod braced against the battery stand but still cannot get the Star nut to turn.

Why is it so difficult to push the main lever towards the rear of the car?

patmore, October 2009

Blimey - I thught it could not be that hard!
In use, the clutch slips occasionally but the pedal needs to be quite near the top for the clutch to engage. The engine runs well and the car is in good nick - just this occasional slipping.
I tried to turn the star wheel but it only turns the rod on the cable. I have tried spraying with WD40.
Can you explain what is meant by play on the pedal because I have measured the floor pedal from the floor and its 187. When I push the pedal with the engine off it does not feel any difference all the way down to the floor. It seems quite firm not sloppy.

Does the play of 1" mean on the star wheel? Do you try the pedal when you are changing gears or with the engine off and just pushing as I cannot detect any difference.

patmore, October 2009

Ye gods you are trying to compress the clutch by hand....ignore all that manual nonsense - adjust the cable with the star wheel so there is play when you pull the lever to the front, then lock it with the 10mm locknut. There should be around 1" of travel on the pedal before the clutch just starts to engage.

John, October 2009