Activa sticking clutch pedal

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 21 Dec 2005, 09:15

Hi, this problem is only for bods with knowledge of the hydraulic clutch mechanisms in Xantias and the like.
My Activa is showing an intermitent and annoying problem - the clutch pedal occassionally sticks at about the third depressed position as it returns from being fully depressed during gearchanges.

It can get a bit embarrasing as you speed away from the lights with near perfect gearchanges and the clutch slipping as it is not fully released! This does not happen all the time, every time. A swift repositioning of the foot under the pedal resolves the problem but it obviously ain't right.
A pre-emptive look at the pedal shows adequate movement with no fouling of the pedal by the trims etc. Could the return spring be worn or snapped? Could the bearings in the pivot be worn or require lubrication? Is there a return spring at the other end? Is lubrication required?
Do these symptoms point to other problems? Clutch hydraulic system renewal? Defective clutch bearing?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated before I have to get down and get all mucky.

"A Merry Christmas to all our readers!"

zzf00l · Post by **zzf00l** » 21 Dec 2005, 12:40

Oh! I thought it was a cable operated clutch

JohnW · Post by **JohnW** » 21 Dec 2005, 12:59

handyman wrote:Hi, this problem is only for bods with knowledge of the hydraulic clutch mechanisms in Xantias and the like.
My Activa is showing an intermitent and annoying problem - the clutch pedal occassionally sticks at about the third depressed position as it returns from being fully depressed during gearchanges.
It can get a bit embarrasing as you speed away from the lights with near perfect gearchanges and the clutch slipping as it is not fully released! This does not happen all the time, every time. A swift repositioning of the foot under the pedal resolves the problem but it obviously ain't right.
A pre-emptive look at the pedal shows adequate movement with no fouling of the pedal by the trims etc. Could the return spring be worn or snapped? Could the bearings in the pivot be worn or require lubrication? Is there a return spring at the other end? Is lubrication required?
Do these symptoms point to other problems? Clutch hydraulic system renewal? Defective clutch bearing?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated before I have to get down and get all mucky.

"A Merry Christmas to all our readers!"

Now this is really meant to be helpful, I promise. Ours has the same issue when the floor mat slides forward. It's worth checking.

JohnW

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 21 Dec 2005, 13:11

Hi JohnW, I know it was obvious and it was one of the first things I looked at, along with the sound deadening under the carpet, trim panels around the pedals, loose wires, dead rats, etc. This why I am looking at worn or defective parts next.

Thanks for your suggestion.

Handyman

JohnW · Post by **JohnW** » 21 Dec 2005, 13:39

handyman wrote:Hi JohnW, I know it was obvious and it was one of the first things I looked at, along with the sound deadening under the carpet, trim panels around the pedals, loose wires, dead rats, etc. This why I am looking at worn or defective parts next.

Thanks for your suggestion.

Handyman

Ah well, worth asking! Our daughter didn't believe my suggestion, just yesterday, until she had moved the mat further than she believed was relevant. Funny coincidence in timing!

Hard to see a reason, hence your question I guess. If the clutch is tired, it would likely be heavy, not what you describe. If the cable, maybe sticky - perhaps there is some fraying inside the bowden cable housing - but you did imply a hydraulic clutch?

Best of luck anyway - I'll be interested to hear the outcome.

Cheers

JohnW

Post by **Peter.N.** » 21 Dec 2005, 13:45

The 2.1 td has a hydraulic clutch.

JohnW · Post by **JohnW** » 21 Dec 2005, 20:36

Peter.N. wrote:The 2.1 td has a hydraulic clutch.

Ah, time for me to watch quietly! Many French cars over the years, none with one of those devices.

JohnW

handyman · Post by **handyman** » 22 Dec 2005, 06:03

I see from the posts to my query, that not all Xant owners know that the Activa may look like a common or garden Xantia, but has many differences to distance it in terms of the evolutionary tree. A bit like a monkey's uncle.

We own, within the family, one Xantia SX estate and four Activas, all with varying mileages and ages from an early Mk1 to later Mk2s, all with different spec levels.

After driving the estate with its heavy cable operated clutch, the clutch in any of the Activas is featherlight by comparison and far less fatiguing, especially in urban driving.

"A Merry Christmas to all our readers."

Handyman

Homer · Post by **Homer** » 22 Dec 2005, 08:09

Hydraulic clutch is also on the other Turbo CT engined Xantias and the HDi.

And yes it is much lighter than the cable versions.

john alexander · Post by **john alexander** » 22 Dec 2005, 11:25

Hi. can we mere mortals convert ours to hydraulic or am I strawing at clutches so to speak.Regards john

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