Xantia clutch cable

pete woods · Post by **pete woods** » 16 Apr 2003, 19:19

The clip on the clutch pedal broke a couple of months ago & I replaced it. I think the reason it went it that the cable is starting to seize as the pedal is getting very heavy.
My local Citroen garage said I need a new clutch (£600+vat!!) but there is no sign of it slipping (100000 miles)
So question is are they right?
If not what is the best way to release the cable from the clip?

alexx · Post by **alexx** » 16 Apr 2003, 21:48

They could be right. Check this link
http://www.andyspares.com/discussionfor ... IC_ID=2300

nick · Post by **nick** » 16 Apr 2003, 23:50

If you do go for a new clutch, independent Citroen specialists are much cheaper than Citroen main dealers.
I got the clutch changed on my Xantia TD last year for £200 + vat and the pedal action has been much lighter ever since, its almost like driving a new car !
Nick

Fox · Post by **Fox** » 17 Apr 2003, 01:03

My clip broke the day we drove my new car (well, new to me) home from buying it. I didnt test drive the car before purchase for insurance reasons, but my Dad did, and didnt notice the clutch being that heavy.
Ever since I've driven it - the day the plastic clip was replaced onwards - the clutch has been very heavy and bites right at the top of its travel. It doesnt slip, and I've done 8000 miles since.
I've always assumed the clutch was just coming to the end of its life - I can find no record of this car ever having a replacement clutch, and it spend the first 90k of its life as a fleet car on the Motorway all the time (There are gaps of as little as two weeks between each 6k service in the history!). Am I correct in thinking it just needs a new clutch and will eventually go, or is there another reason why it could be heavy/have not much travel?

c5owner2002 · Post by **c5owner2002** » 17 Apr 2003, 02:45

I did read somewhere that the clip is made of plastic deliberately so that it breaks when the clutch gets worn - rather than causing more severe damage to the clutch itself. If it gets heavier that is reckoned to be a sign that it's on its way out.
Having said that,I bought my Xantia new in 1993, ran it for 9 years / 105,000 miles and never replaced clip or clutch!I can't say I was aware of it getting heavier either.
Graeme

Fox · Post by **Fox** » 17 Apr 2003, 06:17

Stop me if I'm wrong here - I'm not technically minded, but does it matter if the clutch gets severely damaged due to wear after replacing the clip rather than replacing the clutch, given that when you replace the clutch the whole lot gets replaced anyway?

pete woods · Post by **pete woods** » 17 Apr 2003, 15:12

Back to the original query. Is there a nack to releasing the cable from the clip at the top of the pedal?
As to clutch cost £600+vat from Citroen, £380+vat from local citroen specialist. £250 inc vat 2yr warrenty from Mr Clutch!

mipster · Post by **mipster** » 17 Apr 2003, 16:00

<<As to clutch cost £600+vat from Citroen, £380+vat from local citroen specialist. £250 inc vat 2yr warrenty from Mr Clutch!>>
I changed my xantia clutch (190,000 miles so not bad life from the old one) 2 weeks ago and I would gladly have paid £250 to have it done for me (parts cost £100). Actually by the time I finished the main dealer price was looking attractive

The clip went shortly after I bought it 5 years ago but even when the clutch was slipping recently the pedal didn't feel heavy.
mipster

VisaGTi16v · Post by **VisaGTi16v** » 17 Apr 2003, 16:55

I had to change the clutch on my zx 16v which was a total joke as there is so much clutter in the engine bay. Had to lower the subframe slightly to even get the gearbox back in and on properly!

pete woods · Post by **pete woods** » 17 Apr 2003, 17:15

Sounds like Mr clutch is the way to go! I think I'll put the new cable in first anyway as it's only £20 & it may be the cause.
But I can only do it if I can find out HOW to release it!
Help!!!!

Post by **RichardW** » 17 Apr 2003, 18:38

Pete,
I haven't done the job, but I think you need to take the pedal off to release the clip. You can then hold the cable with long pliers and push the pedal back up the cable. Might be wrong, what does the Haynes book of lies say?
Ref the heavy clutch - cable is a possibility, but clutch is more likely - as it wears the spring fingers sit further out, which alters the leverage and makes the clutch heavy.
The one on my 95 TD at 82k is very light, but still bites quite high up the travel. My BX TD had 136k on when I flogged it, and the clutch was very heavy...
Richard

adrianeaton · Post by **adrianeaton** » 17 Apr 2003, 19:51

Ref the link Alexx posted - did Jon ever get anywhere with the metal replacement clips? I suspect it's the same people who supplied mine for the throttle, as they're just down the road from Andyspares.
I'd be wary of taking a car to Mr Clutch - they're a franchise so unless you know someone who's used your local one I wouldn't risk it! I learnt to drive in a Nissan Micra belonging to my parents (the shame of it!) and after my sister had learnt clutch 'control' it needed a new one.
It went in to Mr Clutch and came out juddering like crazy - same again when it went back a 2nd time (don't think they actually did anything to it). At the 3rd attempt they managed to sort it, but when we went to collect it the car was missing - manager turned up shortly after having used it to collect a portable heater for the workshop and it was the only hatchback in the workshop!!!! Hadn't bothered to cover the back or anything!
It was no great surprise the clutch slipped - they handled clutch plates with fingers coated in oil!
Obviously this is only my opinion (based on personal experience) so don't shoot the messenger and don't hold Andyspares responsible for me posting

Basically, give a local Citroen specialist from £'s.
Adrian

john51 · Post by **john51** » 19 Jan 2004, 22:28

clutch pedal connector clip keeps coming off clutch cable.(new cable and clip just fitted - new clutch fitted 10,000 miles ago) clutch does seem to have gone heavier recently.
Any help or suggestions appreciated

Dave Burns · Post by **Dave Burns** » 20 Jan 2004, 00:34

Sounds like the prongs of the clip are too far apart, the clip doesn't want to rattle about when its on the plastic bit with no cable attached, if it does, pull it off and carefully close them up a little with a pair of pliers.
Also look at the base of the cable nipple, the area that bears against the matal clip should be flat if its worn or tapered to any degree then there's nothing for it but another cable, and for the sake of a few quid I'd bang a fresh clip on anyway, don't put any grease or other lubricant on the nipple/clip.
Dave