Heavy clutch.....

[T40ORA]

I've just had a guy from the RAC do a check on my 2002 Cooper S (arranged by a potential buyer) and one of the things that he picked up was that the clutch was heavy. It all works properly (his words as well as mine)and I've had no problems with it since I've owned it. It only has 35k on the clock.

I assumed it was just a characteristic of that clutch (I'm used to a heavy clutch); any thoughts or suggestions? It's going in for an MOT on Wednesday so I will get the guys there to check it out - but I'm not sure what they can do other than dismantle it! Not ideal....

Cheers.

[DanGT]

Found the same on my wifes 01 Mini One. Over 1 year still no problems.

[T40ORA]

Ta. Someone else has told me it's a 'feature'.....

[gonzales]

Depends on what he is using as his refence for a clutch. I have been driving the works 59 plate corsa for nearly 2 weeks now - popped back into the R53 and the clutch feels as heavy as lead, the steering is also heavy. After a coulpe of minutes driving I will get used to it I am sure but if the RAC guys reference is set to cheap euro snot boxes then yes the MCS clutch will feel heavy.

[T40ORA]

gonzales said:

Depends on what he is using as his refence for a clutch. I have been driving the works 59 plate corsa for nearly 2 weeks now - popped back into the R53 and the clutch feels as heavy as lead, the steering is also heavy. After a coulpe of minutes driving I will get used to it I am sure but if the RAC guys reference is set to cheap euro snot boxes then yes the MCS clutch will feel heavy.

I think that you are right; there is a vast difference across all the cars that we have, with the MX5 and Clio sport being really, really light and the TVR, MCS and 306 Rallye all much heavier.

[RKDE]

could be the release bearing as its a common issue but then it could be just a normal heavy clutch

[T40ORA]

RKDE said:

could be the release bearing as its a common issue but then it could be just a normal heavy clutch

Another common issue?!

So is that a big deal to sort out?

[Justin S]

If the release bearing is sticking, not a big issue to fix with the gearbox on the floor..........

[Chr1sch]

Ours was really heavy from the minute it was fitted, i think these are just generally fairly heavy

[RKDE]

done quite a few now where the bearing is almost welded to the guide. Worst for this is the GP, they all have the wrong tube installed and there is a revised part from bmw, this should be fitted even when doing a clutch to save this happening