Sticking Clutch pedal

[chrisg]

Dear All

I recently picked up the car from the garage having had a gearbox rebuild, driveshaft uj's and rear wheel bearings replaced.

Yesterday whilst in traffic after ~ 300 miles on the rebuild the clutch pedal starting sticking at it's further point i.e. when fully depressed it doesn't spring back quickly and sometimes needs assistance.

1600 miles ago the clutch was replaced whilst the engine was out:

Refaced flywheel, new clutch, bearings in the clutch fork etc.

I later then ~1000 miles ago replaced both clutch cylinders as I had the classic clutch on the floor leaking cylinder - it turned out to be the master cylinder seals that had gone.

I'm going to check the bellhousing and slave cylinder bolts for tension at the weekend.

Any other suggestions as to what could be causing the pedal to catch/stick gratefully received ?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi
Obvious thing is slave cylinder but given given history maybe unlikly , but symptoms are classic.
They sometimes leak into bellhousing and so not easy to see.
Cant think of much else it can be - sorry
Mike

 

[chrisg]

I did think that but it doesn't seem to be leaking any clutch fluid - ie the level of the fluid hasn't changed.

When I'm under the car at the weekend I'll check for leaks and maybe even pop the slave cylinder out to ensure it's not leaking - I'd be surprised if it was as it's only been in for ~ 1500 miles ![]

 

[cd1957]

Try Rebleeding the clutch,you may have air trapped in system

Chris

 

[DavidL]

ORIGINAL: chrisg

I did think that but it doesn't seem to be leaking any clutch fluid - ie the level of the fluid hasn't changed.

When I'm under the car at the weekend I'll check for leaks and maybe even pop the slave cylinder out to ensure it's not leaking - I'd be surprised if it was as it's only been in for ~ 1500 miles ![]

If it has been changed recently then it seems unlikely but don't put too much store by the fluid level. I found that you don't need to lose much to get the symptoms and often not enough to be absolutely certain that the reservoir level has dropped.

Certainly a rebleed would be worth while. I did mine a couple of times after I hadn't seen air for a while and the pedal feel improved.

 

[chrisg]

Thanks for the suggestions regarding bleeding, I'll have a go at that tomorrow evening.

Just as an update for you all, I pulled the system apart this evening - starter motor and heat shield out, slave cylinder removed and checked.

Unfortunately there were no obvious leaks either from the slave or master cylinder.

What does concern me as a diagnostic test is, with the engine off, the clutch pedal goes down and returns on its own. With the engine running the clutch pedal sticks at full extension - this concerns big time as it could indicate issue(s) within the bellhousing, not quite sure what (loose flywheel or pressure plate bolts, clutch fork ....)

Any other advice please ? I really don't want to have to remove the gearbox and tackle the clutch again.....

 

[sulzeruk]

Chris, sounds like the clutch plate is sticking, did you replace the metal spigot sleeve held on with 3 bolts on the bellhousing? These can wear and cause the plate to stick with the clucth depressed as the plate twists? Always a part to change when the clutch is done. If you can get underneath with the starter motor out, you may be able to shine a torch up and see what is happening. May be able to get a bit of grease onto the spigot although I can't remember what access is like? Did you grease the spigot when you put the clutch in?
Alasdair

 

[chrisg]

Thanks for the advice and thoughts. I didn't replace the chrome plated spigot sleeve as there wasn't much wear on it. Did replace the spigot bearing in the end of the crank and lubricated the central drive shaft within the torque tube.

Latest thoughts from my engine chap are that it could be clutch pedal adjustment that is required and a full extension with the engine running the clutch is overcentering and catching on something ?

I'll try various adjustments on the pedals this evening and take it from there, most frustrating though !

 

[zcacogp]

Al,

Can you tell me more about the spigot sleeve? It's not something I have heard about before, and don't recall seeing when I did my clutch about a year ago.


Oli.

 

[sulzeruk]

Oli, it is attached to the bell housing that attaches to the back of the block. The clutch centre plate slides along it when the clutch pedal is pressed. It is part number 12 in this diagram.

Alasdair