Clutch Squealing

[dobx]

My clutch pedal always squeal when I press it in and during release for the first 30 minutes of driving. It goes away after things get warmed up. I have seen videos of other Ultimas with the same problem when they are being driven. There is no leak in my clutch system. Does anyone have a remedy?

[macgtech]

Have you tried a little silicon grease or even WD40 on the pivot for both the pedal and the cylinder?

[dobx]

macgtech said:

Have you tried a little silicon grease or even WD40 on the pivot for both the pedal and the cylinder?

Yes, I have tried WD40. It helps somewhat but not totally and is very short lived before the loud squeal comes back. The squeal seems like it comes from the rod that goes into the master cylinder and not from the pivots.

[Storer]

There should be a bit of grease inside the rubber boot on the master cylinder. It might be worth checking there is some in yours.

If the bush in the pedal pivot is a little short you might find the pedal fouls the mounting when it rotates. The bush should be greased (not WD40) and then the bolt tightened so the pedal pivots on the bush which is held tight by the bolt. The pivot where the master cylinder rod attaches to the pedal should also be greased.

Hope that helps but I don't envy you sorting it laid on your back under the dash!!!


Paul

[dobx]

Storer said:

There should be a bit of grease inside the rubber boot on the master cylinder. It might be worth checking there is some in yours.

If the bush in the pedal pivot is a little short you might find the pedal fouls the mounting when it rotates. The bush should be greased (not WD40) and then the bolt tightened so the pedal pivots on the bush which is held tight by the bolt. The pivot where the master cylinder rod attaches to the pedal should also be greased.

Hope that helps but I don't envy you sorting it laid on your back under the dash!!!


Paul

This is very good direction from you. What type of grease do you suggest? How can one see inside the boot for grease?

Those expensive yoga sessions will finally come in handy while I contort myself underneath the dash.

[Storer]

Probably a lithium based grease would be best. What ever you use needs a high melting point so it doesn't become liquid and leak out of the boot when the radiator makes that area rather warm.

You will probably need to remove the master cylinder to get grease in unless you can use a syringe to squeeze some in down the side of the rod from inside the car.


Paul

[macgtech]

Storer said:

Probably a lithium based grease would be best. What ever you use needs a high melting point so it doesn't become liquid and leak out of the boot when the radiator makes that area rather warm.

You will probably need to remove the master cylinder to get grease in unless you can use a syringe to squeeze some in down the side of the rod from inside the car.


Paul

I am amazed that more people don't put an alloy sheet across the bulkhead at the back of the rad, and seal round the rad properly - we saw a 5 deg C drop in engine running temp when we did this - and also avoids the front of the cabin being flooded with warm air out of the rad.

Silicon grease ought to do the job as its rubber friendly, and the spray type is ideal as it thickens after being sprayed, so it penetrates reasonably well.

[dobx]

http://www.liquidwrench.com/products/#!/2

Is this what you mean by silicon grease? The above product works great, but I noticed that it dries out rather quickly within about 2 weeks.

I want to use something in a spray form that doesn't harm the rubber seal.

[UltimaCH]

The extra bulkhead behind the radiator is something I have been thinking about for some time and will definitely incorporate in my build. It should keep some of the heat away from the battery, brake and clutch master cylinders and other components. Toasted feet is nice when cold but not enjoyable in hot weather.
I use a silicon grease in a tube. Works great for those places where you have rubber components as it keeps the stuff soft. I have never seen it dry out though...

[macgtech]

We just use Halfords Silicon spray grease