The first-generation Acura TSX is a great car that delivers that classic Honda experience wrapped in a more luxurious shell. Manual versions of the TSX are becoming rather difficult to find as they are in high demand. Overall, the first gen TSX is put together very well. There are only one or two common problems to watch out for that can be considered serious.

However, there are also a few minor issues that may not affect the way your car drives but often become annoying to the point where you just can’t ignore them. Acura TSX clutch pedal clicking noise is one such minor issue. Today, we’ll tell you why this happens and what you can do to fix it at home. 

Why Is Your Clutch Pedal Clicking When You Press It? 

In short, this is caused by a lack of lubrication in the clutch master cylinder rod that connects to your clutch pedal. Sometimes it will click, other times it might creak when you press the pedal. Either way, the cause is usually the same. These cars have been around for a while now, and you would be far from the first person who had to deal with this. 

In fact, this happens so often that most Honda/Acura forums out there have a sticky thread dedicated to this issue. The good news is that you can very easily fix the clicking/creaking noise in a matter of minutes. The not-so-good news is that there is yet to be a permanent solution to this problem. 

Honda made a miscalculation when designing the clutch master cylinder, and they haven’t bothered to do anything about it. 

Give the Clutch Master Cylinder a Quick Look 

Since you’ll soon be getting familiar with your driver-side foot well, there’s no better time to inspect the clutch master cylinder for any leaks. While this doesn’t necessarily affect the clicking/creaking noise, spotting a leaking master cylinder can save you the trouble of being stuck somewhere on the side of the road. 

Look for any kind of oily residue around the area where the clutch rod meets and enters the master cylinder. Even the smallest of leaks will glitter under a flashlight, so you won’t have a hard time spotting it. If you need a quality clutch master cylinder, You’re at the right place. Here at Newparts.com, we stock genuine Acura clutch master cylinders at prices that are hard to beat!

How to Fix the Acura TSX Clutch Pedal Clicking Noise?

Alright, now for the reason you’re here. To fix the clicking/creaking noise, all you really need is a can of silicone spray or lithium grease. Either will work, but lithium grease seems to provide a more lasting effect by some accounts. The truth is that you’ll need to do this from time to time, so silicone or lithium, whatever you have at hand will get the job done. 

There are two ways to reach the target area for this simple DIY job. You can remove the plastic cover that wraps around the steering column to gain better access to the clutch master cylinder, or you can leave everything as is and spend a few extra minutes finding a good position to reach the clutch master cylinder rod. It’s up to you. 

Here’s the key part — you need to press the clutch in before you apply the grease. That is the only way to get a sufficient amount of lubrication inside the cylinder housing. Press the clutch pedal with your hand, and use the other free hand to apply a healthy amount of grease inside the area indicated in the picture above. 

Work the clutch a few times and listen for the clicking/creaking noise. If it’s still there, apply some more grease and repeat the process. 

What If the Clicking/Creaking Noise Doesn’t Go Away? 

In the odd case that lubing the clutch master cylinder didn’t fix your issue, there’s a chance that it’s your slave master cylinder making the noise. Sometimes it can get so bad that it easily becomes audible inside the passenger cabin. In that case, you’re likely looking at a replacement of the clutch slave cylinder. We offer several quality options for this part, including the genuine Acura one. 

How Often Will You Have to Lube the Clutch Master Cylinder? 

There is no universal answer to this question. Sometimes the fix will last for only a month or so, other times it will last you a good year. Whatever the case may be, it’s a good idea to have some silicone or lithium grease in your garage, just in case. The important part is that Acura TSX clutch pedal clicking noise can be fixed for next to nothing.