miamistu 1 Posted October 3, 2007 I've got a bit of an odd problem that somebody might be able to shed a little light on. My clutch won't properly disengage when my foot is all the way to the floor, I've been adjusting it bit by bit over the summer but now I've run out of thread on the cable and it won't go any further. Does anyone have any pointers as to what may be the problem? Stretching cable? Bending release leaver? Thanks in advance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M@tt 77 Posted October 3, 2007 are you winding the nuts towards the end of the cable or towards the gearbox? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamistu 1 Posted October 3, 2007 Towards the gearbox. When I adjusted it, it would be fine for a while and then it would need more adjusting - now it's run out of thread. It's a BE3 box running with a helix clutch which is pretty stiff - possibly putting more strain on the cable / lever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve@cornwall 100 Posted October 3, 2007 Towards the gearbox. When I adjusted it, it would be fine for a while and then it would need more adjusting - now it's run out of thread. It's a BE3 box running with a helix clutch which is pretty stiff - possibly putting more strain on the cable / lever. Mine failed suddenly like this, I suspected the release bearing, but once stripped down, it turned out that the springs in the clutch plate had cracked - one had broken completely and bits of this were jamming the plate. So I guess any foreign matter in the bellhousing could do this? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anthony 1,003 Posted October 3, 2007 Is the gearbox definately bolted properly to the engine block? You can get similar issues when the gearbox starts to come away, usually starting with the bottom bolt falling out and then eventually the top bolts working their way loose. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamistu 1 Posted October 3, 2007 Is the gearbox definately bolted properly to the engine block? You can get similar issues when the gearbox starts to come away, usually starting with the bottom bolt falling out and then eventually the top bolts working their way loose. I'll take a look tonight, although it was only put on by a garage about 2 months ago so I'd be suprised if that was the case. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamistu 1 Posted October 3, 2007 Mine failed suddenly like this, I suspected the release bearing, but once stripped down, it turned out that the springs in the clutch plate had cracked - one had broken completely and bits of this were jamming the plate. So I guess any foreign matter in the bellhousing could do this? Eek, I hope not - that clutch cost me the best part of £300. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonnie205 1 Posted October 3, 2007 I have seen the clutch arms bending with the helix clucthes before. What power are you running? unless you are running seriuos power and doing 1/4 mile you dont need the mega stiff helix covers. A std coved with a solid paddle centre plate will be a good upgrade if your using the car for competition or track days etc and realy pushing car hard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamistu 1 Posted October 3, 2007 It's not running much power at the mo jonnie, just a standard mi on tb's. The clutch was originally in place for when the turbo was installed - but that's on the back burner at the mo for financial reasons. I might get another arm to compare with this one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3Evo 0 Posted October 7, 2007 Any news on that bush in the top of the gearbox Stu? I'm wondering if it's twizzled around or something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mandic 0 Posted October 7, 2007 Mine failed suddenly like this, I suspected the release bearing, but once stripped down, it turned out that the springs in the clutch plate had cracked - one had broken completely and bits of this were jamming the plate. So I guess any foreign matter in the bellhousing could do this? Have very similar problem on my T16, I went for a drive, normal drive, and suddenly while wanting to change from 1st to 2nd I felt (on a pedal) something is wrong with the clutch. Seemed like drop of pressure (hydraulic clutch), but it wasnt the case as it was accompanied by rattling sound. When I slightly press the clutch it starts to rattle, if I press it some more it stops. But it is impossible to engage gears. I suspect clutch bearing, but it's odd as if it would broke away then there would be no sound and clutch would feel very light. Clutch still feels normal, only lighter, but not considerably light. Pedal still returns normally to its top position after being pressed. Was Your case similar to this one? Rattle while pressing the clutch? Thanks Ziga Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M3Evo 0 Posted October 7, 2007 Can't answer the question about the rattling (didn't notice any when he's been driving me around) However, there's a yellow plastic bush on the top of the bell housing which the release shaft passes through. FOr some reason best known to the French, this bush is eccentric and rotated so the release shaft is currently furthest away from the engine. My suspicion is that whatever is supposed to locate that bush has snapped off allowing the bust to rorate with the consequence that the release fork is about 8-10mm further from the clutch than it should be. Can anyone confirm what the orientation of the bush should be? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
welshpug 1,657 Posted October 7, 2007 Can't answer the question about the rattling (didn't notice any when he's been driving me around) However, there's a yellow plastic bush on the top of the bell housing which the release shaft passes through. FOr some reason best known to the French, this bush is eccentric and rotated so the release shaft is currently furthest away from the engine. My suspicion is that whatever is supposed to locate that bush has snapped off allowing the bust to rorate with the consequence that the release fork is about 8-10mm further from the clutch than it should be. Can anyone confirm what the orientation of the bush should be? sounds quite plausible, though I cant imagine it would do that much of a difference, it would be about 5mm of a difference, as the position of the bush when located correctly is 90 degrees from where it would sit naturally if it were allowed to rotate (as if the locating tab had broken) see attached pic ( forgot how heavy these damned things are, at least I cleaned the bugger last time I moved it ) I hope these 2 images illustrate what you meant Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamistu 1 Posted October 8, 2007 Ah haaaaa! That IS the culprit! We span it round and now the clutch works again Thankfully it's removed from the top so the gearbox doesn't need to come off. Probably worth buying an new one too. Cheers guys, that's a weight off! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve@cornwall 100 Posted October 8, 2007 Have very similar problem on my T16, I went for a drive, normal drive, and suddenly while wanting to change from 1st to 2nd I felt (on a pedal) something is wrong with the clutch. Seemed like drop of pressure (hydraulic clutch), but it wasnt the case as it was accompanied by rattling sound. When I slightly press the clutch it starts to rattle, if I press it some more it stops. But it is impossible to engage gears. I suspect clutch bearing, but it's odd as if it would broke away then there would be no sound and clutch would feel very light. Clutch still feels normal, only lighter, but not considerably light. Pedal still returns normally to its top position after being pressed. Was Your case similar to this one? Rattle while pressing the clutch? Thanks Ziga Clutch rattled when disengaged - eg. when idling in neutral, and quiet when clutch depressed Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miamistu 1 Posted October 11, 2007 I bought a new bush, popped it in and now I can drive around. At £1.89 that has to be the cheapest fix the car's had in a long time *glee* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mandic 0 Posted October 11, 2007 Clutch rattled when disengaged - eg. when idling in neutral, and quiet when clutch depressed It was more like, no rattle in neutral while idling but when slightly pressed (1/3 of full travel) it started to rattle and if fully pressed it stopped again. Something like that IIRC, havent driven it since it happend, so can not give detailed answer. Did You have similar case? Cheers Ziga Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve@cornwall 100 Posted October 11, 2007 It was more like, no rattle in neutral while idling but when slightly pressed (1/3 of full travel) it started to rattle and if fully pressed it stopped again. Something like that IIRC, havent driven it since it happend, so can not give detailed answer. Did You have similar case? Cheers Ziga no, Mine def. rattled at idle and lessened to nothing on full press. sounds like a 'box out for you,too, though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mandic 0 Posted October 12, 2007 Engine in my case T16 is 4x4, so easier to put engine out. Cheers Ziga Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
