Gear Select Problem

[scam75]

Hi Guys

Bit of a problem developed with the car tonight. I noticed that it was getting a bit stiff to put into gear with the engine running. Switched it off and the gear change is absolutely fine. Started it up again and within a couple of miles it became impossible to select a gear with the engine running.

Once again, with it switched off, selection isn't a problem. I was able to get it up the driveway by switching the engine off to get into reverse and starting up with the clutch depressed.

I checked the clutch fluid and the reservoir is full.

Could it be master or slave cylinder maybe or something worse?

Thanks in advance

Stuart

 

[robwright]

More info please Stu. I have recently changed both my master and slave cylinders. Are you losing fluid from the resevoir? Is there increased travel in your clutch pedal? Does it feel hard and responsive? It should do. Reverse is sometimes a bitch even with a good clutch. Sometimes takes one or two goes.

 

[scam75]

Hi Rob

Not losing fluid and is the same with all gears now. Went from stiff to downright impossible with engine running. As I said, with engine off it's no problem through all gears.

No difference in clutch pedal, feels exactly the same.

Stuart

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Got to say sounds like the clutch dragging, question is why - would check slave cylinder and actuator arm.
,Mike

 

[robwright]

Have to agree with Mike mate sounds as though your clutch is not fully disengaging. Are you getting a lot of pedal travel before you feel it releasing? Like Mike said check both cylinders. Slave is a bugger to get at. Check pedal adjustment. It can be adjusted on the push rod from the pedal to the master cylinder. Hope it's nothing too serious.

 

[DavidL]

Sadly those are the same symptoms as I had - result - new clutch.
Old clutch plate missing 2 springs from the centre and badly scored.
Much better now though, unlike my bank account!

 

[robwright]

ORIGINAL: DavidL

Sadly those are the same symptoms as I had - result - new clutch.
Old clutch plate missing 2 springs from the centre and badly scored.
Much better now though, unlike my bank account!

I was hoping for Stuart's sake that it wasn't the case!! If it turns out to be it's not all bad news as the original have rubber springs, which are notorious for failing. If he ends up replacing it for a modified one it will be much stronger. Fingers crossed for you Stu mate.

 

[DavidL]

Rob,
That's exactly what I thought when mine started being awkward, there's a thread about it somewhere.
To be honest it is amazing it was still going at all!

 

[scam75]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm getting it up on a ramp tomorrow so will keep you posted.

Did the turbo have a rubbery clutch as OEM?

Stuart

 

[TTM]

ORIGINAL: robwright
Reverse is sometimes a bitch even with a good clutch. Sometimes takes one or two goes.

Disengage clutch, put gearshift into 2nd gear (in order to move the gears along the mainshaft), put gearshift into reverse, engage clutch - should feel as smooth as cutting butter, even with a well-used clutch []

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Just dont assume ! I had a company van only 2 years old with those symptoms . Turned out to be slave cylinder come loose.
2minuites work cost me a whole day ......
Mike

 

[DavidL]

Fingers crossed it is something hydraulic. How old is the clutch?
The original clutches had rubber centres and new ones do not.

 

[scam75]

It's the original clutch, 20 years and 97k miles old.

 

[DavidL]

It's in the realm of needing changing - I had 143K out of mine but it depends how it has been driven over those 20 yrs.
The problem is there is no point going in to check the clutch without actually changing it!
I suppose it is a case of checking everything else is cheaply as possible before biting the bullet if all else fails.

 

[scam75]

Well it was the clutch. 3 weeks and one new clutch from the USA later and we are back on the road!

Funny thing was it did not have a rubber centre and was date stamped 1991. My car was registered in late 89 so must have had a clutch very early in its life.

The clutch plate was down to the rivets and the pressure plate was starting to implode, definitely knackered! Ended up having to replace the fork, roller bearings and the release bearing guide too. The little bearings inside the fork had ceased completely and there was a big lip on the release bearing guide. Anyway, happy I won't be in there again for a very long time and gear change is silky smooth now!

Anyway, off to practice my grand prix starts now!![]