2005 Civic. 212000kms. Recently my shifter has stiffened up significantly. It used move quite freely but even side to side motion is stiff with the car running and off, but more so to the right. I have also noticed that sometimes it does not want to shift into first when at a stop. I can eventually get it in but it takes a few tries. Lastly my clutch engagement is now right at the top and not half way like it was a few thousand miles ago. I do want to ad it could have begun with human error. The day before the stick issue began I mistakenly released the clutch without full engagement into second. It grabbed (no grinding) and pulled the shifter into gear. Are these symptoms related to one another, or could have begun with my sloppy operation of the vehicle due to fatigue? Thank you for any input.

 

Disconnect the shift cables at the transmission to see if the handle and cables move freely.

Clutch disengaging as soon as you touch the pedal usually means that the clutch disk is about worn out.

 

It's snowing and blowing pretty good out where I am, and don't really have a garage to work in.

What would be your recommendation for a good clutch kit, Brand etc.? It's a 2005 DX-SE,Thanks