Clutch Pedal Woe

[Don]

The Chim seems to have developed a new nuance to its "character". The clutch pedal seems to "catch" on something on the way down and then again on the way up. There is no obvious fouling visible.

Anyone had this happen?

What did you do to fix it...or had done to get it fixed?

[.Mark]

Hi Don,
Ours did this a while ago and then mysteriously stopped. There was no difference in the clutches operation just the click you mention both ways.

I think I may have sorted mine with some hooligan action.

I think TADTS.


Funnily enough my brand new tin-top does a similar thing but that seems to be when the mat slips up under the pedal. I had tried the hooligan action on this too but couldn't notice any peformance difference.

[Don]

Thanks for that, Mark. Steve Heath's advice seems to be not to worry. We'll get it looked at in due course but keep on driving it...



BTW: We must sort out

"Pie On The Beach III"

earlier this year - although given how full the car park was last year a September date after the school hols might be best..I'm thinking the 12th maybe...

Might try and include some different roads on the way down too...

I'll 'mail you about it before long.

[jj.]

Mine used to do this about 2 years ago. It seemed to click as you depressed the clutch (although upon release it seemed ok). This only happened though after taking a fast right hander, i.e where there was lots of sideways force applied to the pedal. Didn’t seem to effect clutch operation, just didn’t feel right at all, as if a linkage was click in and out of place.

Main dealer checked it out twice, and confirmed no problem. Finally I said that there was definitely something not right. In the end a whole new set of pedals was replaced (not cheap!) and that cured it, had no problem since.
jj

[Don]

jj. said:

Main dealer checked it out twice, and confirmed no problem. Finally I said that there was definitely something not right. In the end a whole new set of pedals was replaced (not cheap!) and that cured it, had no problem since. jj

Ouch! Do you remember how much?

[.Mark]

Don said:

BTW: We must sort out "Pie On The Beach III" earlier this year - although given how full the car park was last year a September date after the school hols might be best..I'm thinking the 12th maybe... Might try and include some different roads on the way down too... I'll 'mail you about it before long.

Was talking to Jo about this only last night. For me last year was a bit of an anti-climax to be honest, not as many cars and the parking wasn't as good (I even cordoned off a big area the night before but some went and removed it).
I favour one of the early weeks in September again as the weather is usually good. I'm also thinking it needs something else - BBQ perhaps?
Perhaps we should get together for a and a chat at some point?

[jj.]

Don said:

Ouch! Do you remember how much?

c£400(ish) parts/labour inc..
It really came to light after doing a trackday at Silverstone, every time I exited Copse, Becketts, Stowe, Club, Abbey, Luffield the next gear change always 'clicked' when depressing the clutch. The harder I cornered, the louder and more noticeable the 'click'.

I could only reproduce it on the road, if I took a right turn at a roundabout at speed. Living anywhere other than MK, I prob wouldn't have bothered to fix it, but...
jj

[Don]

.Mark said:

Perhaps we should get together for a and a chat at some point?

Indeed we should. Nice drive down to Hayling Island and a beer at the Ship perhaps...

I think the maximum possible notice is important for people to be able to come - as is not being during holiday season...

Also might be worth drumming up interest with ROs of the TVRCC/PCGB/FOC.

I am also thinking we should do a drive as part of it that's a little longer than the Ship to the Inn On The Beach...sort of a Dawdle followed by BBQ (maybe) and Beach Activities...or something...

[Don]

jj. said:

Don said: Ouch! Do you remember how much? c£400(ish) parts/labour inc.. It really came to light after doing a trackday at Silverstone, every time I exited Copse, Becketts, Stowe, Club, Abbey, Luffield the next gear change always 'clicked' when depressing the clutch. The harder I cornered, the louder and more noticeable the 'click'. I could only reproduce it on the road, if I took a right turn at a roundabout at speed. Living anywhere other than MK, I prob wouldn't have bothered to fix it, but... jj

Thanks jj. Very useful.


Ohhh. This year I haven't booked Silverstone GP circuit as I thought I'd do more track days at less expensive circuits...but now you're making me wish I was doing Silverstone too....

[jj.]

Although, I do agree with many a people's comments about Silverstone being too big, wide, fast, uninteresting in a slow car, etc, etc.....

I LOVE IT... I was there last year, and although it costs in the region of £250-£300 for a track day there. I absolutely love it..
jj

[Bob the Planner]

Don / Mark,

Are you still getting this sort of click on the way down ? Mine has been doing it occationally for the past year or so however yesterday it clicked and then went loose. The first inch or so of travel is slack. I checked the fluid and no problem there so got the head into the foot well for a root around.

It appears that the rod that pushes the plunger on the master cylinder is not connected to the piston and sort of slips (clicks ?) into the centre of the piston. Is it supposed to be connected or is it supposed to be loose ?

Is this usual, or even the same on yours ?

Bob

[full_chat]

Literally just had a problem with my clutch. Pedal travel suddenly changed with feel becoming very inconsistant, with first part of travel very light then second part very heavy almost preventing gear change. Turned out to be the arm that goes into the bell housing was basically caked in dust/dirt (no cover over the hole in bellhousing), after spraying some lubricant whilst operating the clutch pedal it's worked its way back to normal again. Not sure how long this will last but am happy for now!

[Bob the Planner]

Just suffered from complete failure - pedal to the floor and no resistance. There is plenty of fluid in the reservior, however it is a nasty grey/black colour.

Any ideas on what I should look at first ?

[micharea]

Could be the seals in the master or slave cylinder.
Noticed any leaks anywhere?

The cylinder seals dont as a rule just pack up. Telling first sign having to pump the pedal as you would if the brakes are iffy.

[Bob the Planner]

As noted above I did get an inch of slack - now a full travels worth. No visible leaks at master but I do not see how you check the slave.

I got under the car last evening and noted that the oil in the slave is clear but the oil in the reservior is a mucky black colour.

I'm not very good with these mechanical things so bear with me.

Bob

[Don]

It turned out that the pedal linkage assembly was knackered on ours, Bob. One day I got in to the car put my foot on the clutch pedal and the whole thing just swung free...it would have fallen off in another moment or two!

RAC chap came out, effected a temporary repair and then that nice Mr Batty of the Garage sorted it as permanently as any problem can be fixed on a car...

It has now behaved itself for some weeks - problem gone.

[smedlen]

I had a similar problem with my cluch, ie felt a bit sticky for a while and then the pedal went completely loose. Turned out to be a broken return spring inside the master cylinder. Got a replacement cylinder from TMS for £57. Bit of a pain to fit though.