Defender Clutch Problem!!

[cpas]

Hi there.

My 200Tdi 90 started making a whistling sound (release bearing?) when the clutch was depressed yesterday after some off roading at Tixover (excellent day) and now the gear change has become difficult. I can depress the clutch and rev the engine in gear so it does disengage but it's obviously dragging somewhere! Does anyone have any ideas or will I have to remove the gearbox and do some poking? The gearbox wading plug was fitted so I assume some gunge has got past this somehow (via the clutch slave cylinder hole possibly).

Thanks.

[taldo]

cpas said:

Hi there.

My 200Tdi 90 started making a whistling sound (release bearing?) when the clutch was depressed yesterday after some off roading at Tixover (excellent day) and now the gear change has become difficult. I can depress the clutch and rev the engine in gear so it does disengage but it's obviously dragging somewhere! Does anyone have any ideas or will I have to remove the gearbox and do some poking? The gearbox wading plug was fitted so I assume some gunge has got past this somehow (via the clutch slave cylinder hole possibly).

Thanks.

sounds very similar to a fault i had, it turned out the release bearing had colapsed into itsself, make a nasty whistling/whining noise, and also reduced the clutch travel too half.

take the gearbox off, but do yourself a favour, put a jack underneath each mount and dont let it twist otherwise youre in for a right pig of a job to get the bloody thing back on! and while your in there replace the clutch fork and the friction plate and the pressure plate.

[Barreti]

Could well be the release (thrust bearing)
Might not be a major worry though, I drove my Saab for a year with a thrust bearing that sounded like somebody murdering pigs and only had about half the bearings left when it was finally replaced. Mind you, that was a Saab not a rover

It might also be just some crud has got in there so give it a week or so before starting to think about pulling anything apart.

[cpas]

Thanks for both replies.

I remoevd the gearbos at the weekend and the release bearing is completely knackered, all the nylon sleeves inside have melted, and the mating surface has been worn down to half it's normal size on one side!! I'm surprised anything worked at all - the bearing was pretty well stuck to the input shaft, hance the sticking clutch. I have sourced a total kit for £80 (Valeo or Borg & Beck) and the same place does reinforced release forks for £10.99.

The gearbos removal was not too bad - everything was squirted with WD40 a day before and it all came off surprisingly well. I used an engine hoist to lower the 'box!!

Cheers again

Chris.

[cpas]

Barreti said:

..... Mind you, that was a Saab not a rover ..........

Anyway, you know it doesn't make any sense, we only drive them because we love them!! If we used our brains, we'd be driving Shoguns!!!

[taldo]

cpas said:

Thanks for both replies.

I remoevd the gearbos at the weekend and the release bearing is completely knackered, all the nylon sleeves inside have melted, and the mating surface has been worn down to half it's normal size on one side!! I'm surprised anything worked at all - the bearing was pretty well stuck to the input shaft, hance the sticking clutch. I have sourced a total kit for £80 (Valeo or Borg & Beck) and the same place does reinforced release forks for £10.99.

The gearbos removal was not too bad - everything was squirted with WD40 a day before and it all came off surprisingly well. I used an engine hoist to lower the 'box!!

Cheers again

Chris.

well done that man! good to hear it turned out ok!

[Barreti]

Here here, Well done

[cpas]

Nearly back together now!! The evenings are too dark & cold for this type of thing!!