Clutch problems!

[RTanguy]

Hi,
Just got home from a drive and half way home when I put the clutch in to change gear there was a small 'ping' noise and now the clutch pedal wont come the whole way back out, it gets to about half way and stops . Its not stuck there, its quite easy to pull it back up again (and once its back up it doesnt fall down, althought there is no resistance if you push it) and I was able to make it home doing that but not sure where to start looking for whats wrong! It seems to drive almost normally even when the pedal has not returned fully so not sure if its just the pedal thats the problem?
Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[RTanguy]

Just been having a look to see if I can see anything obviously wrong and I dont appear to have a return spring (or at least its not where I thought it should be!), could this have decided to jump ship while I was driving and is now causing the problem?

[Dominic]

It'll be the return spring that should attach to the engine backplate from the clutch linkages underneath the car. Same happened to me once. Easy enough to replace, but a bit fiddly as it's a fairly strong spring. You need to replace it sooner rather than later, as the carbon release bearing will be contacting the clutch and gradually wearing away.

[RTanguy]

Ok thanks, I've already ordered one so hopefully it will be here in a few days! Is it ok to drive in the mean time or will it wreck my clutch? I only need to go a short distance (maybe 6 miles) tonight but Id rather avoid it if it will ruin my clutch!

[simmitc]

Quite OK to drive, just use the toe of your shoe to flip the pedal right up until you get the new spring.

[RTanguy]

That's what Ive been doing! Thanks for the help, Ill probably be back for more when I cant get the new spring attached!

[RTanguy]

Hi again!
The spring has arrived and Ive fitted it but theres still maybe the top inch or so of travel in the pedal that does not go back up on its own.. Iv tried adjusting the clutch pedal but this is the best ive managed to get it.. Not sure if it was always like that and I never noticed until now or something else is wrong?!
Any ideas? Thanks!

[bmcecosse]

The pedal pivot is crying out to be lubricated......... But also check - is the new spring still under tension at that point - or has it closed up?

[RTanguy]

Which bit is the pedal pivot and how/with what do I lubricate it!?
Nothing moves with regards to the spring etc when the pedal is being moved in the part where it won't return on its own, so seems like that bit of travel doesnt affect anything (does that make sense? sorry, quite hard to explain well!)

[bmcecosse]

So - what you are telling us is - there is quite a bit of 'lost motion' in the linkage. The spring is pulling back what it can - but any movement between the pedal and the arm where the spring is connected is outwith it's control. Still think some lub would help - you may be able to squirt at it from below/or by taking off the master cylinder cover. Once it's moving well - heavier oil would be a good idea if you can get it in there - probably with a long nose squirt can.

[RTanguy]

Yes, thats a much better way of putting it! As long as its not damaging anything I can get used to it!
Thanks, Ill get that sorted when it finally stops raining!

[simmitc]

It would be worth looking at all the linkage - if it is too worn, then sooner or later it is going to break, it it will be at an inconvenient time The two flat plates are anchored by clevis pins, and the adjustable rod fits through a hole in the relay shaft. The rod and pins should be perfectly round where they fit through the holes, which should also be perfectly round. Elongated holes and pins/rod with grooves spell trouble ahead.

Is the spring fitted correctly? It should stretch from the end of the clutch operating fork to the backplate of the engine. With everything correct, the spring should easily pull the pedal all the way home. If you lift the carpet under the drivers feet then you will see a plate with a hole in it where the brake master cylinder sits. The plate looks as if it is part of the gearbox cover, but if you undo the screws holding it down, you can remove it and see the brake pedal sitting on the clutch pedal shaft. There is now excellent access for adding your favourite lubricant. Good luck.

[RTanguy]

Thanks, Ill take a look at that as well!

I think the spring is fitted correctly It went on dead easily from the engine backplate to the operating fork, far easier than I was expecting actually, and didnt have to stretch it at all. Does that sound about right? Perhaps Ive got it completely wrong and thats whats up!!

[Dominic]

Doesn't sound right to me... it should be a right b*gger to fit, causing copious amounts of swearing while struggling to hook the end of the spring through the engine plate hole while under tension. I found using a screwdriver as a lever to expand the spring while trying to guide the end home worked the least painfully.

[Dominic]

In fact I found the f word in conjunction with the c word worked best....

[RTanguy]

Haha thats what I was expecting,! but the gap between the hole in the operating rod and the hole in the engine backplate was just about perfectly the length of the spring . Hmmm.. now Im puzzled

[bmcecosse]

The loose spring is wrong -it should be quite tight - but not perhaps as tight or difficult to install as some seem to be suggesting!

[Dominic]

I was exaggerating just a bit perhaps to entertain people on here...

[bmcecosse]

I suspect you may have been sent a throttle return spring by mistake ?? It should be quite a lot stronger than the throttle spring.

[stag36587]

In fact I found the f word in conjunction with the c word worked best....

Yes - "fork" and "clutch". By the way is there any way of replacing the clutch relay shaft with gearbox in situ or if I loosen gearbox crossmember bolts ( for example) is there enough clearance?