Clutch Help Needed

[Grif500]

Hi all,

Well, after 4 months of ownership I've got my first problem, not bad going I guess

The clutch has been sticking recently. Had a quick look in the footwell and saw it was catching on the carpet, easy fix thinks I...wrong!

As I was moving the carpet back the clutch pedal suddenly became totally loose, no friction at all. Had a look up and it seems the rod that is (was!)attached to the pedal has come through the rubber end cap of the master cylinder which has a split in it, happy days

Ever the optimist, I'm thinking I can just get a new rubber end cap and jobs a good'un. Am I right, or do I need to buy a new master cylinder? Is the rubber end cap just to stop the rod coming out, or does it hold in any fluid as well? Any gotcha's that I'm totally missing?

Sorry for all the questions, I don't mind getting my hands dirty but clutch's are a bit of mystery to me

Cheers

[kevin63]

If the rod has come out, then that will mean the circlip has come off which holds everything in place, you can buy a seal kit which has all what you should need in it, the kit is by Lucas and is SP2102, all is fairly easy to sort out, all be it on your back or there abouts.

[Grif500]

kevin63 said:

If the rod has come out, then that will mean the circlip has come off which holds everything in place, you can buy a seal kit which has all what you should need in it, the kit is by Lucas and is SP2102, all is fairly easy to sort out, all be it on your back or there abouts.

Thanks Kevin, kit is exactly what I need, hopefully be back on the road for next weekend!

This is why I love pistonheads, how else could you find a problem at 15:45, get the part numbers confirmed and have the part on order 30 mins later!

[kevin63]

Good luck
One tip, put a rag on the floor for any brake/clutch fluid, it is evil stuff, great for striping paint off though.

[Ireland]

Once you've done the repair and bled the system you'll probably be surprised by how much firmer the clutch pedal will feel.

Mine had been fading slowly over a period of time and I hadn't noticed it but once it was done the gear changes are a lot smoother.

[arebrec]

Karl

how you getting on with the clutch? I asked Mark to ring you incase you needed a hand, but no luck on your number!!

let me know if you need a hand...and look forward to seeing your cerb one day

[baztvr]

Similar thing happened tonight but the rod lock-nut was loose, so I have wound the rod back out of the pedal bracket to make the pedal line up with the brakes, 'that's how it was before'. I checked the fluid level,thats fine but jet black so I cleaned it out with a sringe and clean cloth, put new fluid in and bleed it.the stuff that came out was as black as the reservoir. the problem of sticking is the same if not worse. I change gear and when I release the clutch and go to hit the trottle I have to wait to see if the pedal has come back of the floor. the master cylinder also seems to click twice each time I press it. the rod flaps around between the cylinder piston and the retaining washer about 8mm as well. Is the cylinder knackered?

[baztvr]

If anybody can help me with their knowledge here it would be great, just don't want to waste money on the wrong things.Cheers,Baz.

[JensenA]

Id recomend you fit a new Master Cylinder, not to difficult a DIY job.

Edited by JensenA on Tuesday 17th February 19:50

[kevin63]

Sounds like the classic case of the broken master cylinder spring, you can dismantle the master cylinder from inside the car in the foot well, this will tell you if you need a new master cylinder, the spring is not available on it's own, by checking this there is virtually no cost involved, if it is not this then it could be either the slave cylinder or the clutch but both these require the gear box out and at quite a cost too.
I had the master cylinder spring go in two of my TVRs and it does sound like that's what you have, I will cross my fingers for you that it is that and not the others.

[baztvr]

That's what I wanted to hear, gonna fit a new one tomorrow and keep them crossed. Cheers chaps.

[kevin63]

Easier if you have a spare set of hands, I didn't but still did it in around an hour.

[baztvr]

Got a Master cylinder from TVR Power today, Worst part was getting to the lower bolt of the two, obviously fitted before the body went on. ended up boreing a 30mm hole in the inner wing to gain access with a socket extention and fitted a rubber blank afterwards. The cylinder had also never been seen since the day it was born 'I think' as the paint laquer was unbroken on the sealant. I stripped the old one down and found the spring had snapped and the seal had lost it's shape. the clutch works better than ever and the gearbox feels like a new one. Happy happy happy.

[Grif500]

arebrec said:

Karl

how you getting on with the clutch? I asked Mark to ring you incase you needed a hand, but no luck on your number!!

let me know if you need a hand...and look forward to seeing your cerb one day

Hi

Not much progress, going to TVR Barnet today to pick up the new master cylinder, and will be "attempting" to fit it on Saturday! Will text Mark my new number, as may well be taking him up on his kind offer!

And yes, hopefully one day my Cerb will make it to a meet to say hello, it's been a while, roll on the sunshine!

Cheers