Hi all,
Started the old girl this morning (2 1/4 petrol, SWB) and the clutch pedal was 'limp' for the first 4-5 inches (ie no pressure). It wasn't like that 3 weeks ago when I parked her up.
All the 'action' now occurs over the last inch. Drives/changes gear fine.
Any suggestions as to what might have happened and what to look for ?
Thanks
Andrew
Problems with the clutch hydraulics. First check level of fluid, it is probably low. Top it up, probably need to bleed it, and find where the fluid is going. Most likely the master cylinder (fluid creeping down the pedal) or the slave cylinder (fluid leaking into the flywheel housing). However, even if the fluid is not low, it could be the master cylinder. Plan on replacing both cylinders, and maybe the flexible hose. Workshop manual recommended, but it is not a big job. JD
On or around Sun, 11 Sep 2005 19:33:59 +1000, JD enlightened us thusly:
The other thing that can cause this is the master cylinder not returning properly to the rest position. try lifting the pedal with your toe. Also worth checking that the pushrod adjustment is right in the pedal box under the bonnet - the pushrod should not be tight at the end of it's travel - the cylinder has a spring inside which pushes the piston back "home", the pushrod need to be adjusted so that it doesn't inhibit this.
Not likely that this is a problem unless something's been changed though. The master cylinder piston not returning to the home position is quite likely though, only reliable cure I've found is to replace the bugger, though in theory they can be stripped, cleaned and rebuilt with new seals.
Most likely (in my opinion) to be an incorrectly set pushrod. the pushrod is the bit that joins the pedal to the piston and should be of adjustable length.
if the pushrod is set too short, there will be a large arc of "free play" where the piston does not apply any pressure to the hydraulic line (most likely what is occuring for you).
if the pushrod is set too long, it will not have any of this "free play" and may not completely engage the clutch after successive engages/disengages, as the pressure builds up in the line and cannot release. i had this problem with a landcruiser where i had to open the bleed nozzle every couple of minutes as the clutch would not completely engage. realized what the prob was and shortened the push-rod and bingo, good as new (m/cyl had just been reco'd so one would hope it was good as new).
hope this is helpful.
Sam.
.... also check that the pedal return spring has not broken.
Pushrod adjustment is unlikely to have changed in three weeks of disuse! JD
Too true JD. I missed that in the initial posting. not much gets past you!
one thing that could stuff it in 3 weeks is putting the wrong fluid into it. Granted not everyone is stupid as me, but i once put automatic fluid into the clutch master cylinder thinking that it would do a similar job. Alas, it didn't and this is why i had to get the bloody cylinder reco'd in the first place.
Sam.
Yes - so will assembling a cylinder with greasy hands. (guess how I know) JD
On or around Mon, 12 Sep 2005 21:50:21 +1000, "Samuel" enlightened us thusly:
However, it's not that likely to have reset itself...
In news: snipped-for-privacy@dnews.tpgi.com.au, JD typed: | Samuel wrote: | ||| ||| Pushrod adjustment is unlikely to have changed in three weeks of ||| disuse! JD || || || Too true JD. I missed that in the initial posting. not much gets || past you! || || one thing that could stuff it in 3 weeks is putting the wrong fluid || into it. Granted not everyone is stupid as me, but i once put || automatic fluid into the clutch master cylinder thinking that it || would do a similar job. Alas, it didn't and this is why i had to get || the bloody cylinder reco'd in the first place. || || Sam. | | Yes - so will assembling a cylinder with greasy hands. (guess how I | know) JD
My S11A clutch failed last year - turned out to be a collapsed flexible hose, not allowing the fluid to return to the master. One pump too many while driving & the cylinder popped out & bent the pushrod. A new slave cylinder & hose later all was fixed. Don't make things the way they used to, only lasted 37 years ... better change the three brake hoses too I suppose.
Karen
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