Gearbox or clutch ?

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mbunting
Posts: 712
Joined: 21 Dec 2001, 15:19
Location: United Kingdom
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Gearbox or clutch ?

Post by mbunting »

AX 1.5D 5sp
Just got home, the clutch started making funny noises as if it were dragging - I had my foot all the way down.
It would change gear if "strongly encouraged", and along the top road near home the clutch didn't feel as if there were any movement, and I had to change gear clutchless.
Other than that, no recent signs of clutch slip ( age unknown ), and apart from a warn mesh on 2nd, all is ok.
So, what do we think, I'm just about to go and have a look.
mbunting
Posts: 712
Joined: 21 Dec 2001, 15:19
Location: United Kingdom
My Cars:

Post by mbunting »

Well, in reply to my own post, it was the clutch asjustment.
It took well over 7mm of adjustment on the cable to get the gears to go in at idle.
Quick and easy job, first time I've ever done it, and it makes me wonder whether a previous xantia actually needed an expensive clutch job [:(]
tonespeed1999
Posts: 205
Joined: 10 Nov 2004, 23:30
Location: United Kingdom
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Post by tonespeed1999 »

check the clutch arm, they used to break on early 1.5D,i believe citroen modified them.
mbunting
Posts: 712
Joined: 21 Dec 2001, 15:19
Location: United Kingdom
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Post by mbunting »

Right then, an update.
The clutch has behaved itself over the weekend, except tonight. Absolutely fine going to a friends house, stopped there about 1.5 hours, and then set-off.
Set off ok, the car lurched forwards when starting ( 1st, clutch down - dragging clutch ? ), and was then reasonably ok to get into gear ( I was expecting problems ).
Then I lost easy access ( ie. without crunching ) to the gears, and ended up pulling into a layby off the A61 in Chesterfield ( Mr Burns will tell you how much fun that is ).
Got the wife to turn off the engine, and put the car in gear, clutch in, and then start. If the car moved, the clutch was dragging, so I adjusted the mechanism in the engine bay. No matter which way I moved it, and I'm talking a good 5 - 10mm of thread change here, the problem didn't get any better. The clutch pedal is now VERY still as I have the adjustment very tight.
I ended up starting the car in gear, and because it's a diesel, it got moving. The clutch was slipping at higher revs, but I managed to get it into most gears and keep moving, including up a notorious drag called the "Unstone Bypass" which lasts for about 1.5 - 2 miles. 4th gear all the way, 50mph - any more accelerator and the clutch would slip.
Tomorrow night ( I have to start work early in the morning, so I'm going to nurse it to the station ), I'm going to officially measure and adjust the clutch pedal movement.
It seems to me that there may be either a sticking release mechanism, or a shot bearing. The mechanism feels smoth in operation - and the arm does move, but sometimes you hear a clunking noise as if something had become stuck and then suddenly released.
Any pointers ? Am I looking at a shot clutch / mechanism ( there were no signs of any problems - no slipping of gear problems becore this weekend ) ?
Also, anyone have any ideas as to what a garrage would charge to replace it - I don't want to be stung for £300 as I was for the Xantia by a national clutch specialist franchise.
Thanks for any help.
Mat.
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