Clutch scream

[Dutchone]

I have just bought a 97 Griff with which I am over the moon.
(car has done 20k miles from new on same clutch - T5 box)
But I have noticed that on first start up in the morning when I depress the clutch and try to select 1st gear the gear stick needs very firm pressure to fully select and I get a loud squeal before 1st gear is actually fully engaged. (No problem when warmed up)

Also the clutch pedal movement is very short and stiff and has to be right to the floor before I can change gear cleanly during normal driving.

I have asked my local motor engineer who services my day box and he suggests clutch drag which is spinning the idle shaft(I think he said) which often happens and that the clutch characteristics are also not surprising for this type of engine.

Are these characteristics usual or am I possibly looking at a clutch rebuild to cure it?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,Paul

[jamiet]

Most of the symptoms you describe are common to Griffs' - clutches are quite heavy and the box is not very smooth so you may have to give the lever a bit more of a shove than you would in your average eurobox. However, clutch squeal is indicating a problem. Clutch squeal is casued by the clutch plates not realeasing properly. I'm not sure about Giffs in particular, but in general there are various potential causes for this such as glazing or oil deposits on the clutch plates, or worn thrust/release bearing/spring. Best advice I can give is to get it checked out.

>> Edited by jamiet on Monday 21st February 17:23

[crankedup]

Sounds like a new clutch required sooner rather than later. You should'nt need to floor the clutch to change gear as you are doing. Altho 20,000 miles is no milage at all on it. Is your car ex London or Manchester perhaps?

[IPAddis]

The clutch is hydaulic (like brakes). There is a reservoir and a master cylinder in the driver's side wing but you have to remove an inspection hatch first to access it.

It's possible that this is leaking and you are low on hydraulic fluid (there's no warning light).

Or course it's also possible that the slave cylinder has failed or a number of other reasons.

I would check the reservoir first though.

Details in the bible www.tvrbooks.co.uk

Ian A.