Heavy Chimaera clutch.

[chris43]

Is the clutch on all Chimaeras very heavy to operate, if so, is there a conversion to make the operation lighter? PLEASE SOMEONE MUST KNOW!!

>>> Edited by chris43 on Saturday 12th July 18:52

[Hairy Cornflake]

I have just bought a 4.0l that is heavy, I think it is just a fact of life!!! You can not have every thing!!!

[tvrbob]

chris43 said:

Is the clutch on all Chimaeras very heavy to operate, if so, is there a conversion to make the operation lighter? PLEASE SOMEONE MUST KNOW!! >>> Edited by chris43 on Saturday 12th July 18:52

It's all down to what you're use to. I think my clutch is fairly heavy but that's how I like it. There's nowhere to put your left foot so chim & Grif drivers often leave their foot on the pedal. Stiffer clutch makes this less stressful on legs. My pedal easily supports the weight of my foot without any clutches pedal depression.

[Dr Chuff]

Depends what you mean by heavy.
Generally speaking, the more power a clutch has to handle, the heavier it is to operate. I've found that older clutches tend to get to be heavier, but I don't know why.
When I drove Fernhurst's Micra after my 500, I nearly put the clutch pedal through the floor!

Dr C

[shadowninja]

and i thought i was a wimp!

you'll get used to it. it's all part of the ownership experience

[shpub]

chris43 said:

Is the clutch on all Chimaeras very heavy to operate, if so, is there a conversion to make the operation lighter? PLEASE SOMEONE MUST KNOW!! >>> Edited by chris43 on Saturday 12th July 18:52

No you can't... but it saves on going down the gym....

The clutch has to be heavy to cope with the power. You can play games with different master cylinders but that will increase the clutch pedal movement. You solve one problem and get another. It's not that heavy. Try a Lotus Europa!

[GreenV8S]

tvrbob said:

chris43 said: Is the clutch on all Chimaeras very heavy to operate, if so, is there a conversion to make the operation lighter? PLEASE SOMEONE MUST KNOW!! >>> Edited by chris43 on Saturday 12th July 18:52 It's all down to what you're use to. I think my clutch is fairly heavy but that's how I like it. There's nowhere to put your left foot so chim & Grif drivers often leave their foot on the pedal. Stiffer clutch makes this less stressful on legs. My pedal easily supports the weight of my foot without any clutches pedal depression.

Using the clutch pedal as a foot rest will wear the clutch release bearing out, and if you put enough weight on it the clutch may start to shift slightly under peak load, not enough to let the revs increase so you notice it but enough to overheat and wear out the clutch in extreme cases. I used to find long journies very uncomfortable until I found I could turn my foot sideways and slip it under the clutch pedal so I could stretch my leg out and relax. Worth a try.

[chim450]

GreenV8S said:

Using the clutch pedal as a foot rest will wear the clutch release bearing out, and if you put enough weight on it the clutch may start to shift slightly under peak load, not enough to let the revs increase so you notice it but enough to overheat and wear out the clutch in extreme cases. I used to find long journies very uncomfortable until I found I could turn my foot sideways and slip it under the clutch pedal so I could stretch my leg out and relax. Worth a try.

Yep, I knew this. Do the foot under the clutch pedal job on long journeys. Not that comfy though.

[wildego1]

When I bought my 400 the clutch was really hard to depress (no I dont just mean it was happy) I thought for a while that this must be normal. After a while it started peeing out clutch fluid on my shoes and I knew something was amiss. Took it back and the master cylinder was replaced on warranty - Its now really easy, I believe the type of cylinder was changed also.
I am not aware of any extra travel either.

[jessica]

When i first bought my Chim 500..I thought the clutch,the gear change and the handbrake(the worst by far!!)
all hard work..Now i love 'em.

and other cars just pale in comparisin.MY Renault Espace now feels like a Blamange,and my hubbies Scimmie(which i used to moan about having heavy everything is equally jelly-like!!!!!

Stick with it and get to love it.....

I LOVE MY TREV!!

[tvrbob]

GreenV8S said:

tvrbob said: chris43 said: Is the clutch on all Chimaeras very heavy to operate, if so, is there a conversion to make the operation lighter? PLEASE SOMEONE MUST KNOW!! >>> Edited by chris43 on Saturday 12th July 18:52 It's all down to what you're use to. I think my clutch is fairly heavy but that's how I like it. There's nowhere to put your left foot so chim & Grif drivers often leave their foot on the pedal. Stiffer clutch makes this less stressful on legs. My pedal easily supports the weight of my foot without any clutches pedal depression. Using the clutch pedal as a foot rest will wear the clutch release bearing out, and if you put enough weight on it the clutch may start to shift slightly under peak load, not enough to let the revs increase so you notice it but enough to overheat and wear out the clutch in extreme cases. I used to find long journies very uncomfortable until I found I could turn my foot sideways and slip it under the clutch pedal so I could stretch my leg out and relax. Worth a try.

Thanks for the tip. I new it was bad for the clutch equipment. I do believe my pedal is completely up and I feel the strain on my upper calves after an hour or so. I'll try what you suggest though I do feel getting to the clutch quickly would be a problem.