Clutch Gets Heavier When Engine Warm

[Pugwebgeek 0]

I've had a trawl around different articles but I couldn't find the right thread so apologies if I've missed something.

 

I replaced the clutch on my 1991 1.9 GTi with a Peugeot OE clutch kit about 6k miles ago. In the last few weeks, the clutch has been getting heavier and heavier when the engine warms up. At first I thought it might have something to do with the cable as it routes past the exhaust manifold but I've ruled that one out because I whipped off the nuts on the end of the cable whilst it was hot and the clutch pedal slid up and down easily.

 

I am hoping beyond hope that it might not have to involve getting the box off

 

Any ideas on what it might be folks? I was thinking maybe pressure plate springs or thrust bearing but the clutch is pretty new. Maybe something to do with the fork or the yellow plastic things holding it in place

 

I have a nagging suspicion that I'll be on my back most of this weekend and not in a good way

 

Colin

[davemar 16]

Is it a BE1 gearbox? If so, it could be the plastic bushes in the L-shaped pivot arm that sits on top of the gearbox. They can wear out making the clutch stiffer, and often makes it worse when the engine is hot. Fortunately the are easy to change and cheap from a dealer. It should only take 10 minutes for you to check them, so no harm having a look.

[Pugwebgeek 0]

Hi Dave,

It's a BE3 so the top of the arm is just metal, connects to the fork shaft with a pin/bolt thingy and the shaft sits in a yellow plastic insert in the top of the gearbox housing.

 

I pulled off the little black cover near the front of the box and shone a torch in there and then wiggled the clutch arm. From what I could tell the bearing isn't clipped on to the fork.

I remember when I put it together that the bearing had little plastic hooks for the fork to latch on to so it would slide it both against the pressure plate springs and also pull it back when it's not in contact.

 

Does any of that make sense?

[davemar 16]

So it sounds like the bearing needs putting back on the fork properly. I had this problem once after replacing a clutch and it not going back on cleanly. Assuming the bearing doesn't need replacing, you might be able to dismount the gearbox partially (loosen all the bolts nearly all out), not forgetting to support it. Then you might be able to reach in there with a tool and put it back on the fork. You should at least be able to get a better look at it.

[Pugnut 9 1 Cars]

Most cables i've replaced for getting stiff have been fine when disconnected. If the pedal feels like its creeking when depressing and feels juddery under your foot its normally the cable, especially when hot.

 

not discounting the release bearing , but for it come off after 6k and slowly get worse over a week or two seems very unlikely to me .I would imagine there would be a few rattles and squeaks with it too.

 

I'm not saying 'no its not the bearing' , and by all means check it (they always seem loose anyway) But for £15 and half an hours work i'de be changing the cable before removing the gearbox

[flipperthebushkangaroo 2]

Is it a BE1 gearbox? If so, it could be the plastic bushes in the L-shaped pivot arm that sits on top of the gearbox. They can wear out making the clutch stiffer, and often makes it worse when the engine is hot. Fortunately the are easy to change and cheap from a dealer. It should only take 10 minutes for you to check them, so no harm having a look.

sorry to jump in and hijack but are where exactly are these as i have a similar problem with my be1 boxed pug also are these the same bushes replaced by the bronze bush kits found in group buys?

 

Roddie

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

If you replace the cross shaft and bearing's this can make a huge differance in the lightness of the clutch, the bottom part often rust's into the bottom bearing

[Pugwebgeek 0]

Thanks guys. I am gonna get a new cable first given that it's the easy option and it's fairly old, pop that puppy on and see what happens.

 

I'll let you all know how that goes but knowing my luck, I'll be grubbing around underneath the thing this weekend getting the box off

[evojay71 0]

The clutch on mine seemed to be very heavy for a while and a few weeks back it snapped,this has happend twice in 12 months on both occasions fraying around an inch from the end of the cable at the peddle end. I've changed the peddle and cable now for the pase 2 set up in the hope it will cure the problem.