Clutch Problems

[tomothy94]

Hello Everyone,


I was on my way to chester last night when there suddenly came a weird ribitting noise from the clutch area. ignored it, which was silly. as time went on the noise got worse whenever i used the clutch, however the clutch was still working; now however, when i press the pedal i get nothing. its like the pedal is not actually pushing anything underneath.

I've taken some pictures - could anyone advise please? I think (hope) it's just a problem with the linkage as the car was changing gears and staying in those gears fine before the pedal went dead.

From the pictures you will notice that the rubber bit has broken - split. the ring on the spring can be moved, as shown in the picture with my hand




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[mogbob]

The rubber gaitor on the gearbox needs replacing, obviously pass it's sell by date and a blob of grease on the contact area , by the threaded portion of the rod, would not go amiss.
However it is unlikely that this is the sole cause of the problem.
At the "pedal" end, there is a rubber bush that usually perishes
and this starts the increase in the "slop " / free play in the linkage.If left unattended, then the metal linkage starts to wear and as there a few bits involved, it all starts to go down hill pretty rapidly, once it's started.
Have a good old look at the movement of the linkage.. a helper ( to operate the clutch pedal, whilst you just look ) would be invalueable.If raising the car, make sure you get it on sturdy axle stands, wheels chocked, handbrake on ,etc and everything is safe before getting under the car.Give your helper clear instructions up/ down/ hold... before you put you fingers in / on the mechanism..if you value your fingers
The clutch pedal should be "free" on the brake / clutch shaft, i.e rotate inmependantly of each other.
Have a look see / take some more photos and get back to us for some more input, if you don't discover the obvious.
Bob

[bmcecosse]

We need pictures of the rest of linkage.

[philthehill]

Looking at the current pictures you can see that the clutch lever is pulled hard back against the gearbox casing by the spring which has resulted in the excess free length of clutch release rod. To me it indicates either the carbon thrust has worn out or collapsed or something has happened to the clutch pressure plate. Either way the problem appears to be inside the bell housing. Take out the rubber bung on the other side of the bell housing and look inside and see if you can see what has happened. The spring appears to have been fitted the wrong way round it should pull the lever forward. If it has been like that for some time it may have caused the carbon thrust to wear out. The release arm should sit towards the front of the hole through the bell housing.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - I can't understand how the spring is connected - was hoping more pictures would show me.........

[kennatt]

well without doubt the spring is pulling the WRONG way,its been holding the carbon thrust up against the pressure plate and certainly caused it to wear out,probably also damaging the face of the pressure plate.Just like driving for months with your foot on the pedal. Unfortunately would think its an engine out job to replace plate and bearing.