ZX 16v Stiff Clutch

VisaGTi16v · Unread post by **VisaGTi16v** » 13 Nov 2002, 20:44

Hi all.
I have a 93 L reg ZX 16v. It had a new clutch just before I bought it back in march of this year. The pedal was originally quite stiff but now is quite obscenly stiff. Enough that the cable has pulled out of the clip on the pedal twice now and ive had to clip it back in. It is stiff pushing it down and slow to come back up as well. This means that sometimes it sticks on the way back up making it seems like its worn out as it then slips but its because the pedal is not returning up as quick as it should.
The cable itself has been replaced and disconnecting it from the clutch end and the pedal end, the inner moves freely inside the outer. The pedal is nice and loose so what could it be if the clutch is only 8 months old? I can barely move the clutch arm using a large spanner as a lever. Im guessing the shaft that the clutch kinda moves along is not greased sufficiently or has got some muck in it when it was replaced?
Im thinking, have a garage take the clutch apart, clean and lubricate it?
Any other ideas?
Regards
Darren Russell

Unread post by **RichardW** » 14 Nov 2002, 12:57

There's replacing a clutch and replacing a clutch....
The cheap way is just to replace the friction plate, the more thorough job is to replace that plus the pressure plate plus the release bearing asembly. My guess is they took the first way on yours. Only solution is to strip out the box and replace the whole lot, carefully (and lightly!) greasing the input shaft the release bearing slides along. Should improve things!
Richard

VisaGTi16v · Unread post by **VisaGTi16v** » 14 Nov 2002, 15:43

Hi,
Well the invoice was for about £150 but it was done before I bought it and just says replacement clutch. I have no idea how much clutches cost as I have never bought one but I would have thought more than that including the labour.
It still releases fine but its just slow, due too I guess being dirty inside as its stiff to push down. If it was easy to push but slow to return then it would be the release bearing?
perhaps just cleaning out the inside and lubricating it all would solve it but that will no doubt cost a lot anyway

cheers

adrianeaton · Unread post by **adrianeaton** » 14 Nov 2002, 17:52

Hiya
£150 sounds very cheap for a clutch change on a 16V. Just checked the online shop and it's £93.50+VAT just for the clutch kit!
I would also consider the possibility that the bushes supporting the clutch release arm are shot, if the box is in any way similar to the BX 16V. These can only be replaced with the box out so worth checking out if you opt to replace the clutch again. My clutch is a bit stiff on my BX and the cable is fine - but it's not had the clutch changed yet so the bushes won't get done till the clutch gets a lot worse (done 76,000 miles now).
Adrian

VisaGTi16v · Unread post by **VisaGTi16v** » 14 Nov 2002, 19:07

I think its the same BE3 box on both. If these bushes are shot then logically that would hinder the movement of the clutch release arm.
This all points to money being spent heh but there may be no option. I will mention these suggestions to a mechanic at a garage I know and see how long he reckons it would take for removing the clutch and putting it back on
thanks for your replies
Darren

Dave Burns · Unread post by **Dave Burns** » 15 Nov 2002, 04:57

Because the part numbers for this and the 2.0 16v Xantia clutch are the same, is this the same crummy pull type clutch similar to that also fitted to the 19td's.
The cables on these types of clutch have a hard time of it, the inner cable at the clutch end is anchored and its actually the outer cable that moves the release arm, this to my mind is not a very efficient way of going about things.
A cable with a worn out lining will still move relatively freely when there is no load on it, but it will be a different matter when its having to transmit the high forces required to pull the diaphragm spring back, and those springs are no light weight afair as you found out by trying to move the release arm.
With you saying it doesn't return freely, I think I would shove a new cable on it first off because I can't see any way for the actual clutch mechanism to cause this slow return.
Worn pivot bushes are not very likely to cause stiff operation to this degree, but wont help, I don't think dust in the clutch is going to be the sole cause either.

It could be a lubrication problem coupled with various other small frictional forces being compounded, Iv'e got a new td pull type clutch here waiting to go in and its been greased during manufacture at the fulcrum points between the back of the spring and the cover pressing, and between the front of the spring and pressure plate.
I'll have a better idea when I get the old one out, it too has become heavy to operate since having a new cable over a year ago, which did lighten it up a fair bit but still wasn't right though.
I hope examining the old clutch for points of most wear will give some pointers as to why they go so stiff.
Dave

VisaGTi16v · Unread post by **VisaGTi16v** » 15 Nov 2002, 14:34

It had a new cable only a few months ago however I am wondering if its the right one. Inquiring at citroen I found out that there are about 4 different ones for the ZX 16v but it fits in etc so I wonder how they could be different.
How loose should the release arm be? I would have thought wedging a spanner below it i should have been able to lever it backwards and forth?
If lubricating it a bit from the outside if thats possible does nothing I will get a 100% correct cable, if thats no good, new clutch I guess

Please let me know if you find out any more when you changes yours
Regards
Darren