Hi all,
A while ago now I heard the odd short squeal / chirrup as I let the clutch up between gear changes (often just say first into second and or third and typically from cold).
That seemed to have gone away but now it seems that as you let the clutch up as you were changing up whilst getting a move on it feels as if the revs are sliding down till they matched the road speed, rather than instantly.
Testing it further on the way home tonight ... when in say third and pulling away hard (well hard, for a 1.6 8V Meriva ) I'm pretty sure I saw (and heard) the rev counter lifting more than the speed between a particular rev range, presumably the top of the torque band? Bit like driving an auto. ;-)
On top of that the clutch is very light, where the slightest weight on the clutch pedal seems to start the clutch slipping (but the clutch action seems smooth / free moving).
So, is this just a weak diaphragm / worn friction plate or is there any stop or adjustment that could restrict the clutch actuator / lever from seating fully when worn and so give a similar affect?
If it does need a clutch, both CV joints are also getting noisy so I'll probably do them at the same time (assuming you have to pull at least one drive shaft to get the gearbox off and clutch out)? [1]
FWIW, the car was used for lots of local trips when it was owned by Mum and Dad and is generally doing mostly that for us still (plus the odd reasonable trip).
Cheers, T i m.
p.s. I replaced the clutch when swapping the gearbox on the kitcar a while back and being based on a Mk2 Escort it was *very* easy. I've never done a FWD clutch and not sure I really want to. ;-(
Transverse engines are FWD are both stupid ideas IMHO. ;-)
[1] Wasn't the Caviler a FWD that was easy to change the clutch on?