Clutch is heavy

[BERGS2]

Yeah I know... whats new!

the difference is i was caught in three hours of Traffic jam hell the other day and my left calf felt like it was gonna explode.

IIRC someone here has fitted a new slave/master with positive results?

If this is true can I have part numbers pls?

ta
Tim

[Podie]

It was me...

Will see if I can dig out part numbers...

[ratman]

Hi Podie. I am also suffering from this problem so would appreciate part numbers if you managed to find them. Thanks.

[Sirpaul]

Podie said:

It was me... Will see if I can dig out part numbers...

Yes please! I bled mine today, and it's much better, but still not right...at least I think so...Maybe I'm being picky??

[dern]

The clutch gets heavier as it wears. I can't remember what wears but I think it's the long triangular springs the release bearing pushes against (can't remember the names of these things). I assume it's these as one car I had got heavier and heavier until a few of these springs broke and the bearing pushed straight through the middle. Normally this won't happen as the friction material will wear way before this but that particular car was a japanese import and although it hadn't done many miles I can only assume that the clutch was pressed so often in traffic that eventually these springs work hardened enough to cause the heavy clutch feeling and eventually enough to break.

Anyway, I can't see that replacing or reconditioning the master or slave would have any difference at all on the resistance felt when pushing the clutch ped down although it would eliminate any crunchy feeling if the seals were a bit marginal. It's certainly worth bleeding the clutch as a first step as it's cheap and easy and then examining the seals on the master and slave cylinders and replacing them as required but I don't believe the clutch will feel any less heavy.

I changed the clutch in my car from what I can only assume to be the original to a new one and the difference in feel was very marked. Basically it got a lot lighter without any attention whatsoever to the master or slave cylinders although I did replace the fluid while I was at it.

By all means give it a go if you're not convinced but don't hold your breath.

Good luck,

Mark

[BERGS2]

Thanks for the advice - The trouble with mine is that there is a lot of stiff travel before a comparitively short bite point (which is with the clutch pedal about 80% depressed)

I think that podie (correct me if I'm wrong) -had a larger slave cylinder fitted - thus allowing a more progressive & lighter clutch?

Anyone else tried similar?

[Podie]

BERGS2 said:

Thanks for the advice - The trouble with mine is that there is a lot of stiff travel before a comparitively short bite point (which is with the clutch pedal about 80% depressed) I think that podie (correct me if I'm wrong) -had a larger slave cylinder fitted - thus allowing a more progressive & lighter clutch? Anyone else tried similar?

Correct.

There are a number of things to check. Clutch fluid being one, but also that the pedal hinge is moving freely...

[Le TVR]

Podie said:

but also that the pedal hinge is moving freely...

Oh yes,

a while ago I suddenly discovered there was a nasty screeching noise each time I changed gear

Sounded like the clutch was about to disintegrate.

A spray of grease on the clutch pedal hinge tube sorted it. (and lightened it)

[Le TVR]

BERGS2 said:

The trouble with mine is that there is a lot of stiff travel before a comparitively short bite point (which is with the clutch pedal about 80% depressed)

You can adjust the bite point to certain extent with the slave cyl adjuster and take up as much play as reasonable on the pedal - master cyl rod.
Bite point came up to about 30%

[ratman]

Thanks for the help. My symptoms are the same as Tim's so will try adjustments suggested first. Will have to be next weekend though as I am tied up this one. Would be interested in your progress Tim if you get it done first. Also Podie can I prevail on you for the larger cylinder details for consideration. Regards Ian.

[dern]

BERGS2 said:

Thanks for the advice - The trouble with mine is that there is a lot of stiff travel before a comparitively short bite point (which is with the clutch pedal about 80% depressed) I think that podie (correct me if I'm wrong) -had a larger slave cylinder fitted - thus allowing a more progressive & lighter clutch?

I found the standard system quite light with a new clutch and the rest working correctly... maybe it would be a good idea to compare your car with some others to see if you have a problem with your clutch before you attempt to compensate for it by modifying the slave.