Don't see much difference between my 03 svt focus and the 13 ST but then again they are not the basic package foci.

 

Wow. The Focus clutch is really easy to drive. A cable setup is usually considered more difficult. I guess it is what you are used to.

 

Aside from the third sycro issue, i've never had an issue with my clutch and its all still original parts with 184,000 miles...still shifts fine for me...

 

Hmmm, I feel the opposite. I had a 1991 Mustang GT and I daily drove it for 4yrs, actually I taught myself how to drive stick in that car. When I started driving other vehicles with hydraulic clutches it became apparent that the Mustang was hard to clutch. Sometimes I had to drive a different manual trans vehicle for a few hours, and when I got back in my car I'd have to spend a few minutes relearning how to drive my car because I had gotten used to a hydraulic clutch. Sometimes the cable would stick on the hottest days in traffic and made the clutch jerky; had a new OEM cable too.

The one in my '03 is great and I got to drive a '12 across a parking lot and nothing felt funny to me.

 

In my 17 years of driving manuals (only one with a cable clutch) I've found them all to be inconsistent in engagement points depending on the air temperature and moisture in the air. That said this is the best clutching/shifting MT car I feel I've ever owned.

 

I see it as a positive that the MTX-75 was carried over--it has proven to be VERY durable and reliable. My 2001 has the original clutch with 140K miles and shows no sign of slipping.

The clutch in the 2012 feels completely different than my 2001, though it is the same transmission. The 2012 is much smoother in operation, and has a much broader take-up than the 2001. This is mostly due to the dual-mass flywheel in the 2012, absorbing the force of flywheel/friction plate contact and generally making smooth shifts easier.

Having owned several vehicles with rod and cable linkage clutches, I do understand what the OP means--there is very little "feel" through a hydraulic clutch. That is something one has to get used to, and try to just use muscle memory or powertrain reaction, rather than "feel" through the clutch pedal, to operate it. My suggestion to the OP would be to try installing a stiffer rear motor mount (roll restrictor) to improve feel through the powertrain. It has provided a more direct, connected feel to mine.

 

As a Brit who drives manual cars all the time my mk3 is lovely compared to everything I've driven. Not as heavy as a land rover, not as dead as a Renault Clio.

I agree the bite isn't as obvious as with the mk1 focus but its smooth as anything if you let the engine breathe between shifts.

 

I agree the clutch pedal is light and I don't mind that, but sometimes the clutch is all or nothing. I do mostly city driving and the sudden grab of the clutch is very irritating.
It's almost like there is a delay with the engagement. I don't believe there's an issue with it because my '03 was the same way. What is up with the random hanging idle
between shifts? My '88 F150 also had a hydraulic clutch and it was perfect.

 

There might be something wrong with your clutch or slave cylinder. I would never consider mine all or nothing. My clutch takeup is smooth and progressive. It looks like the other posters find theirs smooth also.

 

X2. Driven a handful of MTX75 and Getrag Focuses and never had that feeling. Each was different from the others due to wear and mileage, but consistent.

I find every Focus I've driven much easier than the 97 XJ 5speed I learned on. The 2013 ST I absolutely loved. Engaged right off the floor, felt strong, but was easy to modulate. I find my cable clutch XR MUCH harder to drive. The engagement point varies a bit, especially coming off a fast run at autocross. I stall it nearly every time I drive it after driving the Focus for a while.

Have you considered getting an upgraded lower engine mount? It seems to makes shifter feel more consistent and may help with clutch engagement as well (less motor movement in the mounts so you have a more direct feel).

 

I agree with Tbone. You may have a defective clutch master or slave cylinder.

Decades ago, in a past chapter of life, I was a Saab mechanic. Those cars were notorious for getting worn out clutch masters that did not leak to the outside where you would see the leak. The fluid would seep past the piston in the cylinder as the clutch pedal was held down resulting in a variable engagement point in pedal travel depending on how long the pedal was held down. Shifting on the go, they worked fine. Sitting at a red light with the pedal held down could result in clutch drag before the light turned green.

I have to say that the two failed Focus clutch master cylinders I have had were wetting the carpet (and my shoes) though.

If you have a slow leak in a slave cylinder, it might be hard to see due to it being inside the bell housing.

 

The upgraded lower mount is a possibility. I haven't had a chance to check for any signs of a leak but I will the first chance I get. I would definitely not describe the clutch operation as smooth.
I think I might test drive another car to compare. Thanks for the help.

 

Definately smoother than the Escort GT I owned, although in the mornings after a 5minute warm up it still feels sluggish to get going from 1st to 2nd