308SW - new clutch slave fail ???

[ianmcc]

Hi there,

I summoned up the courage to do a driveway clutch replacement. The car is 2010 at 155k and worth pennies, but I wanted to get some more miles out of it.

This is not really DIY territory working on your own, but it got done. Everything was fine. Two days later the clutch pedal went to the floor with fluid leaking out of the bellhousing and I had to get towed back. This is the 6-speed box with the internal 'concentric' slave, which was also replaced, so it looks like a repeat job is needed.

But, what went wrong ?

There is a bit of stuff out there on CSC bleeding etc. and it was pressure bled. The pedal spring just doesn't easily allow for gentle testing ...........

Any tips suggestions ?

Thanks, Ian

[Paul-R]

Is this not a 'pull' clutch? If so I believe they need a special tool to set them up.

[ianmcc]

... OK, thanks Paul, there is no lever here to 'push' or 'pull', the slave bears directly onto the pressure plate - which bolts directly onto the front of the box.

What tool were you thinking of - the YouTube videos I have watched don't seem to suggest that you need one ?

[Paul-R]

I don't really know. I think you were led astray by my musing! There is such a thing as a pull clutch as opposed to a regular push clutch.

[RichardW]

Not unknown for new parts to fail - git to get it out again to see what's gone wrong. It's easier 2nd time around....!

[ianmcc]

Thanks Richard, yes, indeed, as I've got brochitis I now have to lookto pay someone else to do the job again ...................

Previously I'd be doing a clutch very 3-5 years. I'd do it because it :

- saved money
- made sure the car was in good order
- the feeling of self-reliance was valuable.

Now you don't get enough practice. Whereas before, even on front drive cars, it never took more than a day. Now it takes way longer :

- there is no space to work. To access the clutch means taking the car apart
- you need every tool/technique that you have (plus some more) to do this
- can you trust the parts your are fitting ?
- other stuff is going to get damaged and also need replacing
- corrosion means a lot of extra fixing and repair work

With these modern emissions control systems you are never guaranteed an MOT pass on a repaired car. The resale value is less than the cost of the parts. So :

- are you actually saving any money ?
- is the car going to be any more reliable ?
- are there better uses for your time ?

I'll let you know if I find out ..................................