Clutch ... ?

[OJAY]

I'm an extremely happy Tamora owner. I'm rather a fan of the gearbox and clutch - not too weighty, nice and mechanical. However, all of a sudden this afternoon on the way back from work (and after an enthusiastic bout of acceleration along a stretch of motorway), it has become difficult to engage any gear. I can do it, but it needs quite a shove and is not at all pleasing as it was earlier today. On the move, everything is fine. The car is a late 2005 car, coming up to 20k miles: does this sound like a clutch that's about to go or perhaps a problem with the clutch plate? The only similar experience I've had was with a fresh-out-of-the-box Golf GTi mark II back in 1989 which had a faulty clutch plate from the factory, preventing selection of 1st or 2nd gears.

Any thoughts?

[Barry Ashcroft]

Deffo sounds like clutch plate springs broke or collapsed mine did that remedy is a new clutch with new slave seals and vat circa a grand

[OJAY]

Thanks. Blast it!

[Zippee]

I had similar symptoms with mine last year, clutch had virtually eaten most of its springs/fingers. £1100ish for a new clutch and slave. Whilst your slave may be OK personally I'd get it changed whilst the clutch is out - especially if you're on the original.

[Jim_w]

Probably is as above especially if never had a replacement clutch but when this happened to mine I bled the slave and adjusted the clutch pedal travel a bit and been fine ever since. Others have had similar experiences....unfortunately most have needed new clutches...

Cheers

Jim

[T40ORA]

Yeah, I'm pissed off clutch wise. Original clutch lasted 51k miles. Changed it when the engine was rebuilt and this one is on it's way out after only 18 bloody thousand. Not happy...

[d18mca]

How did you get 51k out of a clutch for a speed six engined vehicle?

20 max usually.
Davy

[T40ORA]

d18mca said:

How did you get 51k out of a clutch for a speed six engined vehicle?

20 max usually.
Davy

Dunno, but I did. Track days too, and lots of city (London) driving. Must have had a bloody good one is all that I can say.

ETA Jasper Gilder on here just got 67k from the clutch on his Sagaris.

Edited by T40ORA on Friday 23 July 11:16

[s6boy]

d18mca said:

How did you get 51k out of a clutch for a speed six engined vehicle?

42k on mine and no sign of it going yet.
Limit 0-60 take offs/ slipping the clutch.
Always heal and toe when changing down.
Never sit at lights in gear.

[LeeT350c]

Just before you start having the clutch stripped out...

Remove the pedal cover plate and check the push rod on the clutch master cylinder is still connected to the pedal and has not vibrated loose over time. If it is try winding it into the pedal 5mm nip up the nut and try it then.

Cheers. Lee.

[T40ORA]

LeeT350c said:

Just before you start having the clutch stripped out...

Remove the pedal cover plate and check the push rod on the clutch master cylinder is still connected to the pedal and has not vibrated loose over time. If it is try winding it into the pedal 5mm nip up the nut and try it then.

Cheers. Lee.

OK, ta. I'll have a look.

[TVR_owner]

T40ORA said:

d18mca said:

How did you get 51k out of a clutch for a speed six engined vehicle?

20 max usually.
Davy

Dunno, but I did. Track days too, and lots of city (London) driving. Must have had a bloody good one is all that I can say.

ETA Jasper Gilder on here just got 67k from the clutch on his Sagaris.

Edited by T40ORA on Friday 23 July 11:16

Lottery...

[T40ORA]

TVR_owner said:

T40ORA said:

d18mca said:

How did you get 51k out of a clutch for a speed six engined vehicle?

20 max usually.
Davy

Dunno, but I did. Track days too, and lots of city (London) driving. Must have had a bloody good one is all that I can say.

ETA Jasper Gilder on here just got 67k from the clutch on his Sagaris.

Edited by T40ORA on Friday 23 July 11:16

Lottery...

The only feckin' lottery I've ever won

[T40ORA]

LeeT350c said:

Just before you start having the clutch stripped out...

Remove the pedal cover plate and check the push rod on the clutch master cylinder is still connected to the pedal and has not vibrated loose over time. If it is try winding it into the pedal 5mm nip up the nut and try it then.

Cheers. Lee.

Just twiddled a couple of nuts and it does seem a bit easier...

[Dr John]

s6boy said:

Limit 0-60 take offs/ slipping the clutch.
Always heal and toe when changing down.
Never sit at lights in gear.

Exactly - Mine lasted 36k miles. It went very suddenly, although pedal had been getting stiff for a little while. When it came out it fell to pieces! I hope the new one lasts as long.

[LeeT350c]

T40ORA said:

LeeT350c said:

Just before you start having the clutch stripped out...

Remove the pedal cover plate and check the push rod on the clutch master cylinder is still connected to the pedal and has not vibrated loose over time. If it is try winding it into the pedal 5mm nip up the nut and try it then.

Cheers. Lee.

Just twiddled a couple of nuts and it does seem a bit easier...

Glad to help. Where is the biting point now and where was it? Before did it feel like you had to have the pedal hard down to engage the gear and if you slightly lift off you would start to move? (almost instantly) Is the biting point now about 1 cm off the floor as such?

Cheers. Lee.

[T40ORA]

Yeah, the biting point is higher. Just getting used to it actually. Thanks for the help.