Freelander clutch peddal sticking down

[magpies]

Hi My wife has rang me to say her Freelander (03) has an intermittent fault - now and again the clutch peddal does not return and she has to put her foot under it and bring it up. Without seeing it (I'm away on business) could it be the cable needs changing or could it be more serious?

[DKL]

More likely the clutch master or slave cylinder leaking.
If it is only occasionally then it may last a couple of weeks but sooner rather than later it will go down and not up at all and you won't be able to change gear.
She could check the clutch reservoir and refill if necessary but if there is air in the system it need bleeding out.

[A.J.M]

Freelanders run a hydrolic clutch system, i had to get both the slave and master cylinder changed last may. They are plug in and play units, no bleeding required but if it is a td4 then its a big job as the slave is part of the thrust bearing so its a gearbox out job.

Mine was covered by warrenty luckily as the bill was £752 but that also included a couple of propshaft bearings as well.

[magpies]

Hi just checked the master cylinder and it is full so no leaks - it is an 03 (old shape) petrol 1800

Edited by magpies on Saturday 26th February 11:17

[DKL]

If it only does it occasionally you may not notice a visible fluid drop. It doesn't take much air in the wrong place to stop if working temporarily.
Or it could be stuck on the carpet/mat etc!

I'd just keep an eye on it and get it checked at the next service etc unless it gets worse.

[neiljohnson]

magpies said:

Hi just checked the master cylinder and it is full so no leaks - it is an 03 (old shape) petrol 1800

Edited by magpies on Saturday 26th February 11:17

Its not an exteral leak that causes the problem sounds like the internal seals are gone so a breakdown is inevetable the up side is the hydraulics are cheap to buy & an easy diy fix

[magpies]

neiljohnson said:

Its not an exteral leak that causes the problem sounds like the internal seals are gone so a breakdown is inevetable the up side is the hydraulics are cheap to buy & an easy diy fix

Hi Neil - would that be the master or slave? that is prone to internal leakage

[A.J.M]

magpies said:

Hi Neil - would that be the master or slave? that is prone to internal leakage

Mine was the slave that went first. When it went in, there was fluid leaking out of the gearbox

You can top it up but sooner or later, it will just pack up. Your just delaying the enevitable.

[neiljohnson]

magpies said:

Hi Neil - would that be the master or slave? that is prone to internal leakage

No idea tbh they come as a complete unit they cannot be split so you always have to change both

[magpies]

cheers neil - I just looked on another LR forum - I gather common fault and relatively easy to sort

[wal4string]

Same issue with my TD4, had to lift pedal by hand as too low to lift with foot. As a quick fix I have attached a bungie to the pedal which I then wrapped around steering column. A bit strange changing gear but works fine. Can anyone advice me am I causing more damage (and cost) and does this mean my fix clarifies what the problem can be.