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clutch or master cylinder/slave problem?
hughpinder - 11/12/08 at 10:55 AM

Coming to work this morning and had a couple of notchy changes followed by the inability to get in or out of gear. I could get out of gear and occasionally back in but very difficult to move the gear lever. When I stopped it was impossible to get back into gear, so I started in 2nd and drove the remaining 21 miles to work in that gear. If you depress the clutch pedal fully, there is some horrible vibration. The car has done 170k, but the clutch was changed when I had a gearbox problem at 128k(and the original was only half way through its specified wear limit). The garage has just phoned to say it needs a new clutch, but I think its more likely to be a master/slave cylinder problem? What do you think?
When I dropped the car I gave it to one of the mechanics rather than 'the boss' who said ' Oh yeah, these civics are notorious for the slave cylinder failing'

r1_pete - 11/12/08 at 11:27 AM

Fluid could have leaked away, could really be either slave or master.

The horrible vibration you speak of, would lead one to suspect the thrust bearing, guessing is a concentric job, the bearing face could have worn away and the unit 'fallen' to peices....

hughpinder - 11/12/08 at 12:29 PM

I checked the fluid - all present and correct. I think you may be right about the thrust bearing. In the end I guess thats a new clutch then.

britishtrident - 11/12/08 at 12:41 PM

Didn't need stripped to spot what is wrong, pretty obvious the release bearing has broken up and damaged the fingers on pressure plate and the possibly the fork.

rusty nuts - 11/12/08 at 06:33 PM

Do you sit in traffic with your foot on the clutch ? Thrust bearing can sieze and the fingers on the clutch diaphragm can break causing the symptoms you have. One of the biggest causes of clutch failure

hughpinder - 12/12/08 at 12:28 PM

I don't sit in traffic with the clutch in, its one of my pet hates!(My missus does but she almost never drives this car). That's why I was reluctant to just believe his statement that it needed a new clutch. I think he's having a strop now as I can't get him to phone back and say whats going on..... and I need the car at the weekend.

Thanks for all ideas
Regards
Hugh

britishtrident - 12/12/08 at 10:40 PM

quote:
Originally posted by hughpinder
I don't sit in traffic with the clutch in, its one of my pet hates!(My missus does but she almost never drives this car). That's why I was reluctant to just believe his statement that it needed a new clutch. I think he's having a strop now as I can't get him to phone back and say whats going on..... and I need the car at the weekend.

Thanks for all ideas
Regards
Hugh


No he is right on the nail --- a problem seen quite often on some models. Now that the big British parts manufacturers are gone the quality of most replacement clutches and other parts is basically crap.

britishtrident - 12/12/08 at 10:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by rusty nuts
Do you sit in traffic with your foot on the clutch ? Thrust bearing can sieze and the fingers on the clutch diaphragm can break causing the symptoms you have. One of the biggest causes of clutch failure


Very common problem especially on Peugeots, Citreons and the smaller engined Rover that use the Pug gearbox ---- Valeo clutch with an undersized plastic cased release bearing.

adithorp - 13/12/08 at 09:43 AM

quote:
Originally posted by hughpinder
I don't sit in traffic with the clutch in, its one of my pet hates!(My missus does but she almost never drives this car). That's why I was reluctant to just believe his statement that it needed a new clutch. I think he's having a strop now as I can't get him to phone back and say whats going on..... and I need the car at the weekend.

Thanks for all ideas
Regards
Hugh


Sounds to me like he's told you whats going on... It needs a new clutch! He's probably having a strop because you don't believe him. Untill you tell him to go ahead he's got a ramp tied up and a mechanic twiddling his thumbs.
Given that situation I'd push it down the bottom of the yard and get on with work from customers who do trust me.

Sorry if that sounds blunt but thats probably whats happening.

adrian