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Clutch Pedal Depresses But Then Goes Hard?


Best Answer cal844 , 19 July 2020 - 10:37 PM

Make sure the plunger linkage moves freely in the casing. Go to the full post


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#1 shish_happens

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Posted 19 July 2020 - 09:53 PM

Hi all,

 

I've been having problems with my clutch. It's had several new parts new master and slave, new flexihose as well as a second hand clutch and flywheel as I left mine uncovered outside and it rusted quite badly.

 

The clutch pedal depresses fine, and the plunger goes out of the slave however when the pedal is released the plunger doesn't go back into the slave and needs a proper hammering to get to go back in

 

From my understanding this would be a clutch/flywheel problem? The little plastic and metal cap is installed on the end of the flywheel, I doubt it's easy to install that incorrectly?

 

Any help appreciated. I'm dreading having to pull the engine for the 3rd time to do anything with the clutch

 

Thanks



#2 Its a min

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Posted 19 July 2020 - 10:37 PM

Verto or non-verto? What year is your car?



#3 cal844

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Posted 19 July 2020 - 10:37 PM   Best Answer

Make sure the plunger linkage moves freely in the casing.

#4 shish_happens

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Posted 19 July 2020 - 10:53 PM

Verto or non-verto? What year is your car?


It's a verto early 90's 998

#5 shish_happens

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Posted 19 July 2020 - 10:54 PM

Make sure the plunger linkage moves freely in the casing.


I might have to give it another few smacks forwards and backwards with the hammer although I've done that before till I couldn't barely swing the hammer

#6 shish_happens

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Posted 19 July 2020 - 10:54 PM

Make sure the plunger linkage moves freely in the casing.


I might have to give it another few smacks forwards and backwards with the hammer although I've done that before till I couldn't barely swing it

#7 Its a min

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Posted 19 July 2020 - 11:02 PM

Have you made sure the release bearing is fitted to the plunger the right way round and that the clutch lever arm isn't broken/worn on the ball end?



#8 Dusky

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 08:15 AM

Bad flexi hose acting like a one way valve. To check open the bleeder after releasing the pedal.

#9 Ethel

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 10:25 AM

Could be as Dusky suggests, the piston is more prone to stick on return too if it's been sat a while and the cylinder bore's got rusted or dry.

 

Open the bleed screw to check the hose then unbolt the slave test if it's  still stuck to eliminate the hydraulics altogether. Beware it will be under load from the clutch springs if it is the hydraulics holding it.



#10 shish_happens

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 11:09 AM

Bad flexi hose acting like a one way valve. To check open the bleeder after releasing the pedal.


It's a brand new flexihose and master and slave

#11 GraemeC

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 12:34 PM

 

Make sure the plunger linkage moves freely in the casing.


I might have to give it another few smacks forwards and backwards with the hammer although I've done that before till I couldn't barely swing the hammer

 

 

Disconnect the pushrod from the arm, then check the plunger is free in the wok.

Using a hammer isn't going to do anything any good!



#12 shish_happens

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 01:52 PM

Make sure the plunger linkage moves freely in the casing.


I might have to give it another few smacks forwards and backwards with the hammer although I've done that before till I couldn't barely swing the hammer
 
Disconnect the pushrod from the arm, then check the plunger is free in the wok.
Using a hammer isn't going to do anything any good!

I'm trying to free up the plunger hitting it back and forth not just smacking the wok! I have to smack it back once I've pressed the clutch pedal

I'm bleeding the brakes soon so I'm hoping it's just a seized clutch?

#13 viz139

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 02:38 PM

First thing I would do is remove the slave cylinder and confirm that the problem is in the lever and not the hydrolisc. If its the lever remove the wok , dismantle and clean and grease all parts . You may free the lever by banging it but unless the car is to be used as a daily runner come next winter you will have the same problem again every time the car is left sitting for a period.



#14 shish_happens

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 04:25 PM

Looks like its wok off time today then. The plunger doesnt budge and the hydraulics are fine



#15 shish_happens

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Posted 20 July 2020 - 09:43 PM

I can confirm it was the plunger. It was rock solid. All free'd up and greased now




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