Hello all,

Before anything, I did a quick search for "clutch" which gave me 1 result...so I figure I'll just ask you all for advice to keep you, that know the answer, on your toes

Basically, my clutch now has about 3/4 free travel, and a very short bite. I really struggle to get in gear, especially reverse. (Getting her in the garage was fun.) Please help me find out what this could be

Could it be I need a new clutch? Or do I just need to tighten the cable? Or could it be something else?

Any help will be appreciated!

Thanks all

Royce.

 

Click me!

You didn't search hard enough then.

Mine had similar symptoms after first month of ownership, had clutch line bled and no issues since. I'm no expert but most seem to advise this before overly complicating things for what may be an easy fix.

 

Thanks caseh. I will look into this!

 

Thanks caseh. I will look into this!

 

I'd second it being the fluid. Mine did similar which I thought was the clutch being toasted from a fairly bad slip on a hot day but it wasn't slipping in gear at all.

I haven't done a full bleed yet as we've not had the weather when I've had time but you can suck the contents of the clutch fluid reservoir out with something like a fluid pump or a syringe, wipe with a lint free clotch, fill up with fresh fluid, then the next day the fresh fluid will push the old fluid up into the reservoir, drain that and top up again. That was enough to get mine goods as new though I will do a full bleed when I get chance.

It hardly takes any fluid at all, the smallest DOT 4 from Halfords for a fiver will do it.

 

Would doing this help with if things are little notchy between gears when cold?

I always put this down to the gearbox oil being cold, but just thinking about it & looking through the service schedule (which it's not replaced as part of), I'm not sure when this was last done?

 

Can't hurt for a few quid.

When I did my gearbox oil change, changes went really smooth but then it deteriorated until I had trouble even getting in gear. Clutch fluid change sorted it again.

 

Notchy/stiff changes when cold are due to oil viscousity. Cold, thicker oil cannot creep around in amongst all the synchro's as well as thinner, warm oil so it take a little long er for everything to work as it should.

 

Can also be caused by the clutch not fully disengaging though.

Tell tale sign is putting in 1st. If it crunches or feels notchy changing from second to first at around 10mph but slots in perfectly at around 4mph (the speed the engine idle will maintain) with the clutch fully depressed then I'd say that was a clutch fluid issue.

 

Your issue sounds like a leak in the master cylinder to me tbh.
Check around the cylinder and the clutch pedal in the cabin for fluid.