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cable vs hydraulic clutch - pros and cons
nick205 - 26/9/07 at 09:28 PM

As per title really, what are the benefits or otherwise of a hydraulic clutch over a cable set-up?

Wieght, Reliability, PeadalTravel/Feel ???

nitram38 - 26/9/07 at 09:33 PM

If you can get an unmodified standard clutch cable to fit, go with that. At least you will able to replace it cheaply, rather than have one re-made if it snaps.
If you have to have one made, then a hydraulic clutch is the way to go because again you should be able to make one from standard parts.
I have gone hydraulic on both my projects because of a rear engine set up.
The F1-2 pedal feels the same as any other clutch.

[Edited on 26/9/2007 by nitram38]

speedyxjs - 27/9/07 at 07:02 AM

Im using a hydraulic clutch but only because the donor came with it.

MikeRJ - 27/9/07 at 11:24 AM

A hydraulic clutch always feels nicer than even a new cable clutch IMO. This difference becomes huge once the cable ages.

A cable needs some kind of adjustment, either manual or some kind of automatic system that will inevitably not work or fail totaly.

A cable has to have a relatively straight run to the clutch in order to have any chance of a reasonable life, a hydraulic system can have quite tight bends made in the copper and flexi pipes.

A coaxial hydraulic system means no levers poking out of the bellhousing, which can give more clearance on a Locost and allow you to mount the engine further back.

The main advantages of a cable system are cheapness and simplicity.

lsdweb - 27/9/07 at 11:43 AM

Or a pull rod clutch.......

nick205 - 27/9/07 at 01:05 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MikeRJ
A hydraulic clutch always feels nicer than even a new cable clutch IMO. This difference becomes huge once the cable ages.

A cable needs some kind of adjustment, either manual or some kind of automatic system that will inevitably not work or fail totaly.

A cable has to have a relatively straight run to the clutch in order to have any chance of a reasonable life, a hydraulic system can have quite tight bends made in the copper and flexi pipes.

A coaxial hydraulic system means no levers poking out of the bellhousing, which can give more clearance on a Locost and allow you to mount the engine further back.

The main advantages of a cable system are cheapness and simplicity.



That's the kind of info I'm after. The hydraulic (I assumes) clutch in my Leon still feels like new after 80k, but the cable one in SWMBO's Pug feels terrible after 66k.

NS Dev - 27/9/07 at 04:19 PM

I use hydraulic jobbies on my projects now.

Concentric hydraulic is definitely the way to go until it leaks or fails, then its gearbox out time!!

That's what I am using on my locost and it has excellent feel.

MikeRJ - 27/9/07 at 10:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by lsdweb
Or a pull rod clutch.......


That's a neat solution, but I'd suspect the engine mounts would have to be reasonably stiff to avoid a mushy pedal and the engine moving when you put your foot on the clutch.

lsdweb - 27/9/07 at 10:18 PM

quote:

That's a neat solution, but I'd suspect the engine mounts would have to be reasonably stiff to avoid a mushy pedal and the engine moving when you put your foot on the clutch.


Solid!

Micael - 28/9/07 at 07:08 PM

I use the pull rod setup and i have my engine on rubber mounts.

It's a simple, cheap and light system, and it works perfekt.