Something dodgy going on with my clutch - help

[Legend83]

When I left work tonight, the car shot back in reverse when I went to where I thought the clutch bite was. First gear shot forward too - seems the biting point has lowered and the there is less travel on the pedal. Does this sound like a major issue and should I stop driving the car immediately?

Any opinions appreciated!

[Wigeon Incognito]

It's most likely your slave cylinder, mine went a month ago with similar symptoms. Don't worry, the entire repair (at a main dealer incuding a mark up on the part) was only £40 and took 40 minutes.

Check the level of your clutch fluid before your next journey as if the slave cylinder has gone good and proper it'll be leaking out, obviously you don't want it to empty.

There were no external signs of a leak on mine but the cylinder had been breached just allowing fluid to enter the rubber boot (you'll see what I mean) but none had actually escaped however I could feel what you describe through the pedal.

I always thought these things happened gradually but mine was just as sudden as yours, during a hill start on a motorway sliproad.

Get it fixed asap but as long as you're not losing too much clutch fluid and the clutch can engage/disengage at all times then I doubt too much harm will occur. I drove mine for the best part of a week doing 100 motorway and town miles a day before it could be repaired.

Edited by Wigeon Incognito on Wednesday 20th February 21:47

[Legend83]

Thanks Wigeon!

[lord summerisle]

aye - same happened to me last year.

quite easy to do yourself, if your happy to bleed and drain the system

[Legend83]

For the sake of £40 notes might just get it done properly. Was worried it was clutch replacement time - how long do they typically last? How much to get a new one fitted approx?

Cheers for the help guys.

[lord summerisle]

clutches?

Just had one fitted at 115k miles - wasnt quite worn out - chap charged £270. but he was a friend of my dads doing it at mates rates. most of the local garages were saying '£320+VAT - 4hrs'

[Legend83]

Screwed! It's completely gone this morning, no travel at all. And I discover that I don't have the RAC home package, I can't move the damn thing, and even if I could, I still can't find the locking wheelnut tool to access the slave cylinder anyway!

Could be a long morning....

[lord summerisle]

ummm...

you need to jack the front of the car up (then on Jack stands... ) its located next to the bell housing of the gear box... dont need to remove the wheels

heres the guide: http://www.miata.net/garage/slavecyl.html

[Legend83]

Thanks Mark, can I get away with re-filling the reservoir to get me mobile today?

[Munter]

Legend83 said:

Thanks Mark, can I get away with re-filling the reservoir to get me mobile today?

Dont do it. It leaks faster and faster etc. Then your at J6 on teh M6 in lane 3 and you cant get the car into gear. Scary stuff.

Start phoneing garages and see if one will come out and get the car. Thats my suggestion. But topping up and driving directly to a garage might work.

[lord summerisle]

you could always try, with the engine off, putting in first gear, starting the car... and then crash the box (a very quick way of learning how to match the revs)

drive 5 miles... then call out the RAC to tow you to a garage

or try a couple of zip ties around the rubber seal of the cylinder to keep as much fluid in the system as you can.

[Legend83]

Munter said:

Legend83 said:

Thanks Mark, can I get away with re-filling the reservoir to get me mobile today?

Dont do it. It leaks faster and faster etc. Then your at J6 on teh M6 in lane 3 and you cant get the car into gear. Scary stuff.

Start phoneing garages and see if one will come out and get the car. Thats my suggestion. But topping up and driving directly to a garage might work.

Will local garages just come out and have a look then? Never had to try asking in the past!

[Munter]

Legend83 said:

Munter said:

Legend83 said:

Thanks Mark, can I get away with re-filling the reservoir to get me mobile today?

Dont do it. It leaks faster and faster etc. Then your at J6 on teh M6 in lane 3 and you cant get the car into gear. Scary stuff.

Start phoneing garages and see if one will come out and get the car. Thats my suggestion. But topping up and driving directly to a garage might work.

Will local garages just come out and have a look then? Never had to try asking in the past!

I dont think they'll come out for a look. But they might come out, tow the car to their garage and fix it.

It just depends how busy and friendly your local garages are.

[Legend83]

Munter said:

Legend83 said:

Munter said:

Legend83 said:

Thanks Mark, can I get away with re-filling the reservoir to get me mobile today?

Dont do it. It leaks faster and faster etc. Then your at J6 on teh M6 in lane 3 and you cant get the car into gear. Scary stuff.

Start phoneing garages and see if one will come out and get the car. Thats my suggestion. But topping up and driving directly to a garage might work.

Will local garages just come out and have a look then? Never had to try asking in the past!

I dont think they'll come out for a look. But they might come out, tow the car to their garage and fix it.

It just depends how busy and friendly your local garages are.

Thanks guys. Going to top up with fluid, pump the clutch and try and get to my friendly garage 5 miles away. Wish me luck!

[Legend83]

Sorted. Made it to the garage - pain it didn't happen on the weekend as I could have fixed it myself.

Cheers for the help people!

[lord summerisle]

Legend83 said:

Sorted. Made it to the garage - pain it didn't happen on the weekend as I could have fixed it myself.

Cheers for the help people!

no problem

[Legend83]

Ummm, just got phone call from garage - bill has come to £120 for slave cylinder, fitting and VAT!

Does this sound about right? Feels a bit heavy to me.

[Munter]

Legend83 said:

Ummm, just got phone call from garage - bill has come to £120 for slave cylinder, fitting and VAT!

Does this sound about right? Feels a bit heavy to me.

£60 for the part and £60 labour?

[lord summerisle]

i was charged £80 all in at the local place for mine...

but labour/parts rates vary.

according to mx5 parts a OEM parts is £13 the mazda part is £40

[Legend83]

Fair enough - blatantly ordered an OEM part and charging me for a Mazda one!

Can't complain, they are good guys. Will do it myself next time!!!