Discussion
I am thinking about my first Chim some time next year. I have done a bit of research on how to try and tell if the clutch on a car I have never seen before is OK. This is my list so far:-
- In neutral press the clutch in and out and note any sound differences.
- Ensure that car will stall when standing in 1st
- floor the car at 40mph in 4th or 5th and note any slipping.
- is each gear easily selected with no crunching
- clutch pedal bite and stiffness.
- A check of pipe work, seals, master and slave cylinders for leaks and fluid levels.
Clutch wear is inevitably associated with driving style, but what sort of mileage do standard clutches cover before being replaced. I guess if I go to look at a car and see a pile of bills with 3 new clutches in it, the engine has probably been caned as well!
Any other good ways of spotting a tired clutch?
- In neutral press the clutch in and out and note any sound differences.
- Ensure that car will stall when standing in 1st
- floor the car at 40mph in 4th or 5th and note any slipping.
- is each gear easily selected with no crunching
- clutch pedal bite and stiffness.
- A check of pipe work, seals, master and slave cylinders for leaks and fluid levels.
Clutch wear is inevitably associated with driving style, but what sort of mileage do standard clutches cover before being replaced. I guess if I go to look at a car and see a pile of bills with 3 new clutches in it, the engine has probably been caned as well!
Any other good ways of spotting a tired clutch?
On the chim if you get underneath there is a widget thats related to the clutch wear- a metal thingy. As the clutch wears this moves back until it reaches the limit of its travel. So if its at that limit then you know you'll be needing a new clutch fairly soon.
This was pointed out to me on the ramps by warren @ topcats about 4k miles ago - it was right at the end of its travel. Today she's in having a new clutch fitted.
The above is my non technical i-dont-really-understand-what-it-is description of what I was shown, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will give a better description.
ETA about 42k miles on it and it was getting difficult to get first gear.
This was pointed out to me on the ramps by warren @ topcats about 4k miles ago - it was right at the end of its travel. Today she's in having a new clutch fitted.
The above is my non technical i-dont-really-understand-what-it-is description of what I was shown, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will give a better description.
ETA about 42k miles on it and it was getting difficult to get first gear.
Edited by bigdods on Wednesday 22 October 23:18
bigdods said:
On the chim if you get underneath there is a widget thats related to the clutch wear- a metal thingy. As the clutch wears this moves back until it reaches the limit of its travel. So if its at that limit then you know you'll be needing a new clutch fairly soon.
This was pointed out to me on the ramps by warren @ topcats about 4k miles ago - it was right at the end of its travel. Today she's in having a new clutch fitted.
The above is my non technical i-dont-really-understand-what-it-is description of what I was shown, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will give a better description.
a widget eh! hopfully some one in the know will be along shortly to explain, i'm interested to know where this is so i can check my widgit is in the right placeThis was pointed out to me on the ramps by warren @ topcats about 4k miles ago - it was right at the end of its travel. Today she's in having a new clutch fitted.
The above is my non technical i-dont-really-understand-what-it-is description of what I was shown, hopefully someone more knowledgeable will give a better description.
Thats spot on,sometimes they slip before that stage though 
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