Clutch pedal mechanism

Saw Doc Fan · Post by **Saw Doc Fan** » 23 Oct 2004, 17:13

Xantia 1.9 TD 1994
I've got a problem with the clutch pedal mechanism, driving home from Leeds on Thursday, I heard a noise like something had snapped or broken and then the clutch pedal just went to the floor and I was stuck in 3rd gear. Called the breakdown out and he said my clutch and cable were fine but the clutch pedal mechanism has broken. Apparantly it's not expensive for the part but it's a pain of a job to fix.
Has anyone else had this problem?
How easy/or not is it to fix?
Does this mean that my clutch is on it's way out? Not noticed the pedal getting stiff, clutch not slipping and it bites straight away.
Would be grateful for any help on this.

nick · Post by **nick** » 23 Oct 2004, 17:40

This is a very common problem on the Xantia, do a search for "clutch clip" - its been covered loads of times before.

Saw Doc Fan · Post by **Saw Doc Fan** » 23 Oct 2004, 17:45

Just been looking through all the topics on this, and it seems that most people say the clutch may be on it's way out... My car has only done 64k and it's never towed anything, not noticed any change in the clutch at all, could I still need a new clutch?

nick · Post by **nick** » 23 Oct 2004, 17:54

Often the only symptom of a worn clutch on a Xantia is the pedal becoming heavy to operate, they very rarely slip. Its the heavy pedal that leads to the plastic clip breaking. It can also be caused by the cable itself becoming worn, which puts extra strain on the clip.
My Xantia had a new clutch at only 50k, (luckily when the original owner still had it - main dealer charged nearly £800!), then another at 130k at an independent Citroen specialist for £250.
It is possible to replace the clip with a metal one, which has also been covered on here in the past

Saw Doc Fan · Post by **Saw Doc Fan** » 23 Oct 2004, 18:15

Ok, getting the drift now, so it could be that I do need a new clutch (or and) clutch cable and a new clip.
Just rang a friend of mine who's friend of his had a xantia and he gave me a number of a fella who's known as a "cit man" and he's quoted me £65.00 to replace the clip, but has warned me that the clutch could be on the way out, so won't guarantee the work.
Reckon i'll get him to do the job and then save up for a new clutch and cable and then do the full job in the new year.
Thanks for the advice.

nick · Post by **nick** » 23 Oct 2004, 20:39

Mine was still on its original plastic clip until 130k. I had the clutch and cable replaced, picked the car up, drove five miles down the road and the plastic clip broke! Although the new clutch & cable made the pedal much much lighter I think the clip being disturbed when the cable was changed was the final straw for it. To give the garage credit they replaced the clip for free as a goodwill gesture. I did have to drive it back there myself though - 5 miles through sat morning traffic with no clutch pedal was no fun....

Saw Doc Fan · Post by **Saw Doc Fan** » 23 Oct 2004, 21:11

I can well imagine that being no fun...
Just travelled to Leeds in my husbands car and bought a new clutch clip and new cable, my brothers doing the job for me tomorrow, so hopefully it should be ok then.
Thanks everyone.

Oystercatcher · Post by **Oystercatcher** » 24 Oct 2004, 03:08

My clip went at 78K (On a Sunday, the day before a bank Holiday[:(] It's the only time in nearly six years the car's been 'off the road'), the GSF replacement is still going strong at 100k...... Original clutch, original cable...... </FATE mode=tempt> [:D]
Alan
'98 Xantia SX TD

nick · Post by **nick** » 24 Oct 2004, 15:43

Apparently the white replacement clips are slightly stronger than the original black ones, so should last better even with a heavy clutch. Well, that's the theory anyway....

PowerLee · Post by **PowerLee** » 24 Oct 2004, 15:48

I always carry a spare plastic & metal clip with me.
Something for the RAC to fit if it ever fails, lol

nick · Post by **nick** » 24 Oct 2004, 16:33

Would a breakdown service be prepared to fit one at the roadside do you think? I used to carry a spare clip, but I always had a sneaking suspicion they would just say "specialist job mate" and tow it to a garage. [:(!]
I would be interested to know if anyone's successfully persuaded a breakdown service to replace one of these clips?

Saw Doc Fan · Post by **Saw Doc Fan** » 24 Oct 2004, 17:32

When I called the breakdown out (National Breakdown) he did try fixing it but said the clip was broken so couldn't do it, but if I had carried a spare one he would have done it for me.
What would we do without breakdown cover...

nick · Post by **nick** » 24 Oct 2004, 18:08

That's good, I didn't think they'd even try. I'll start keeping a spare clip in the car again.

den169 · Post by **den169** » 24 Oct 2004, 18:56

I'd be very suprised if a breakdown service would attempt to fit a new plastic clip its a good hours job if you know what your doing and thats with the seat out.Did mine over a year ago on the xantia 97 clutch still going strong.

CommY · Post by **CommY** » 24 Oct 2004, 19:53

They would fix it if you had a spare as they want good statistics for roadside repairs ie We fix 95% of vehicles at the road side.
After a fuel pump went on my old Alfa 33 (god bless her soul) in Glasgow they fella tried for about two hours to repair it as no spares were available off the shelf in Glasgow. If a new pump had been available he would have collected it and fitted it. Don't know if he felt sorry for us as we had a car full of holiday clobber and a young baby. He even came out to jump start me after I'd got the train back up to Glasgow and fitted a new pump the next day (mind he'd flattened the battery) and my lass is a member of the AA not me. Mind he wanted a shot of the Alfa (which I let him) as he was seriously impressed with the modding I had done. He said he thought it looked like a coplete bag of **** till he lifted the bonnet and saw the state of the engine bay. He said (as well as my MOT tester) that it was the only car that they had worked on where the engine bay and underneath suspension etc were immaculate/concourse but the exterior was as tatty as (silver body, black bonnet wings and front bumper). I don't care for cosmetics I DO care for mechanicals.
Basically I won't travel distance now unless I have the full home recovery service, £100 a year well spent. But as sods law dictates since having this full cover we have never had a breakdown.