Clutch cable

[lotususa1]

After warming up my '87TE this morning I got into the vehicle after warm-up and attempted to shift the vehicle into reverse when I felt the clutch peddle effortlessly drop to the floor. I am thinking that the cable is disconnected or cut but am not sure why. Does anyone have any experience with this problem and ideas of how to repair it? PLEASE HELP me get my beauty back on the road. Jim

>>> Edited by lotususa1 on Sunday 6th June 16:23

[dr.ian]

Yeah, there is no such thing as a clutch "cable" on the esprit. It is operated by hydrallics. It sounds like your clutch slave or master have gone out. I would replace them both. If you dont, the other will likely fail soon. The parts are not very expensive or hard to install, just make sure you bleed it right. If you have not done it yet, you should also change to a braided clutch line. Look under your dash. You will see fluid running down the wall where the piston on the cltuch pedal goes into the wall. Let us know if you see this. That means it did fail.

[lotususa1]

well, The slave cylinder was empty and I filled it. No fluid was seen anywhere. After refilling ,the clutch pedal felt a little better but I probably need to bleed it. How do I do that. Thank you! Jim

[lotusman]

My clutch cable went out three times during the seven years I owned my Europa. First the bracket holding the outer sheath broke off next to the drivers seat. When the sheath moves the cable will not pull. I designed up a new bracket out of angle iron. Next the cable broke in the engine bay, where the salt and grime destroyed it. Easy to determine, pull the cable out. Then the last time, the attaching fitting on the end came off. As I do not have the equipment to add the compression fitting, I just got a new cable/sheath and installed it.

lotusman
'89 non-SE

[lotususa1]

Sounds like a different problem. Glad to hear you fixed yours. As for my issue, I will double check to see if any fluid is leaking. Would someone please tell me how to properly bleed the cylinders?

thanks much!
Jim

[kylie]

Hi Jim its all here in detail, just scroll down and you will see it. www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/EModifications/clutchhose.html

There is also a guide on this site to installing a new slave and master cylinder. You can also buy bleed kits, I have never used them but meant to be much easier.
Hope this helps.
Kylie

[lotususa1]

Thank you. That helps a great deal. Jim

[dr.hess]

If there was no fluid in the system when you looked, then you have a leak. The stuff has to go somewhere. I would go ahead and do the cylinders and make sure you have a braided hose. If you just refill and bleed it, you will be right back where you are now shortly, only next time it might be out on the road somewhere.

I busted a clutch cable on my Europa too. Replaced it and didn't have any more trouble (with that).

Dr.Hess

[lotususa1]

Will do. Great advise.

Jim

[mgb driver]

I recently had the slave go out on my 88 Esprit. Had it replaced, and it was a matter of weeks before the master went. Think everyone's advice to do both is worth heeding. The parts aren't very expensive either.

Kevin

[95lotus]

I just replaced my clutch hydraulic line (it developed a hole from rubbing against the chassis after the PO installed a stainless steel line) and rebuilt both the master and slave cylinders. The job wasn't too bad with the exception of getting the master cylinder out due to having to loosent the brake master cylinder and other nearby shrouds. The pin holding the clutch pedal to the pushrod was a pain to reinstall as well. As others have recommended, rebuild the cylinders...it's cheap and not that hard...this was my first time. Mine had a leak in the master cylinder...I had to add fluid every other day. The rebuild has since cured it.

Bill
'95 S4S