Xantia very stiff clutch pedal...

ashy90 · Unread post by **ashy90** » 24 Aug 2011, 16:02

My inlaws Citroen Xantia (1997/1998 1.8 petrol) has got a very stiff clutch pedal. They have not mentioned anything to me - I am guessing it has got stiffer slowly over a period of time and so there for has not been noticed. Is it normal for a Xantia to have a stiff/heavy clutch pedal, or is it a sign of a problem?

It did a few years ago I believe have a new clip on the clutch cable/pedal, and I think it may even have had a new clutch at the same time - although I am not 100%.

Gingerposer · Unread post by **Gingerposer** » 24 Aug 2011, 18:58

Ashy90, the clutch pedal action should certainly not be heavy - I'd get it checked out ASAP - mine became heavy shortly before it lunched the gearbox, if I'd taken this early warning sign seriously it would have saved me a fair bit of hassle and expense. And a gearbox (maybe).
Or it could be something simpler.
In any case it's worth having it looked at before they drive it much more.

Ainslie

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 24 Aug 2011, 19:02

Its normally the sign of a worn clutch.
Is the pedal high too?

Unread post by **Peter.N.** » 24 Aug 2011, 21:43

Try running some oil down the gearchange shaft where it enters the gearbox. I haven't had any experience of petrol models but on the diesels the clutch certainly becomes very heavy when the clutch is worn.

Peter

vince · Unread post by **vince** » 24 Aug 2011, 21:57

agreed....worn clutch

Xantidote · Unread post by **Xantidote** » 24 Aug 2011, 23:53

My immediate thought would be to check/replace the clutch cable - they can go heavy over time & create a stiff/heavy clutch. When I didn't investigate my stiff clutch soon enough, the clip suddenly disintegrated, with quite a bang

ashy90 · Unread post by **ashy90** » 29 Aug 2011, 18:41

Thanks for the replies.

Why is it that I thought that there was a 'fix' to the clutch cable/clip problem - a stronger metal one was introduced or something, yet on searching the net I cannot find any mention of it? Did I dream it?

falling-out-with-my-car · 29 Aug 2011, 22:12

I agree with Martin on this one,

the modern clutch cables are sleeved with a plastic core wrapped around the cable before being sleeved with the outer black sleeve, this seems to stick after a few years use creating the heavy feel to the clutch. simply replacing the cable could solve it. my clutch sometimes seems heavy and others it seems to be very easy to depress the pedal especially after I have driven another vehicle for a while. changing the cable worked for me twice in the space of four years. one cable stretched so much that it ran to the end of its automatic adjustment ratchet so it had to be replaced.

regards Nigel.

falling-out-with-my-car · 29 Aug 2011, 22:15

ashy90 wrote:Thanks for the replies.

Why is it that I thought that there was a 'fix' to the clutch cable/clip problem - a stronger metal one was introduced or something, yet on searching the net I cannot find any mention of it? Did I dream it?

I think your right someone did produce a metal clutch clip somewhere, but citroen make them slightly stronger these days if you compare the new with the old there is a part of the clip that has been strengthened.