Monte Clutch

[Jon]

I have just noticed that my clutch is beggining to bite sharply after engaging gear, and so matter how softly I try to release the clutch the car jerks (This would usually be attributed to my driving style but not on this occasion).

Would this be the clutch on its way out? or is there a more likely cause?

[Wallace]

Could be. Worn down to it's rivets perhaps ??? Or rear oil seal gone ????

Lotsa (expensive) posibilities. :(

[Jon]

Rear Oil seal where is that?

Have noticed a slight fluid leak on the slave cylinder, obviously not good but would that have that effect?

Thanks

Jon

[Wallace]

Rear crank seal - where the crank comes out of the engine .. . . oil leaks onto the clutch and contaminates the linings. Have a look underneath and youll find a smallplate bwtween the gearbox and the sump (secured with about 5 M6 bolts) Is anything dripping out of it ??? Like engine oil ?? !!

OR - slave cylinder iffy. Get someone to look at it while you hold the clutch pedal down. It should pust the lever over and then it shoud STAY OVER !! Otherwise the seals are gone and a new one will cost 30 or so notes form Chad.

[Wallace]

Actually - was thinking about this - it's unlikely to be the seals gone on either the engine or gearbox becasue the flywheel has a sneaky couple of holes frill into it's front recess - which means and oil coming from the gearbox end will be diverted through to the back of it so it doesn't contaminate the friction plates. And oil seeping from the engine wouldn't touch the friction plates anyway.

When I had my master cylinder go a few years back - the problem was ENGAGING gear - not the take-up of the drive so really I can't speak from experiance on this one. And I would think if it was a matter of adjustment, the same problem (i.e. getting into gear) would apply.

Clutch release bearing gone perhaps ? Or maybe something else not clutch related like engine mounts loose/worn etc. ???

C'mon Will -help me /Jon out !!!

[Will]

Dunno Wallace, I'd go with diagnosing the clutch hydraulics first by wedging the pedal down and seeing if the slave stays extended or creeps back. If the slave is leaking and/or drawing air, the return spring will pull the lever back over to the left.
If the hydraulics are OK, check the adjustment nut, if that's OK, probably have the clutch facings torn up I'd guess, at any rate I think you are looking at disassembly and examination.
-Will
PS> removing the return spring from the slave cylinder makes for more comfortable shifting, but it can allow the slave to draw air if the bleeder isn't making a good seal.

[Jon]

Thanks for your help!

Changed the slave cylinder Saturday bled the system and the clutch now seems to be perfect. Well worth £25.

Jon