Clutch on its way out?

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blazeguarder
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Clutch on its way out?

Post by blazeguarder »

Been having problems with my GTi recently. I've noticed for a while that the biting point on my clutch is quite high up the pedal and over the last week I've begun to find it quite difficult to change gears when the car is moving. It's noticeably smoother changing gears when the car is stationary than when it is moving - the change feels very stiff and 'notchy'.

Does this sound like the clutch is on the way out or does it sound more like a gearbox problem? I've never driven a car with a failing clutch before so not quite sure how it feels...

Thanks in advance.
BennoGTi
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Re: Clutch on its way out?

Post by BennoGTi »

When mine started going, in higher gears (3rd 4th 5th) slam your foot to the floor and the car will rev, then it will catch up with itself

Mainly noticable on the motorway, foot hard to the floor and see if the car revs without it actually going any quicker, if you get me :shock:

If it does this, then your clutch is going

Apparently you can also try it by pulling off in 3rd gear with no "gas" pedal, just lef the clutch out slowly

The car should stall if the clutch is ok, if the car pulls off without stalling, your clutch is on its way out
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blazeguarder
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Re: Clutch on its way out?

Post by blazeguarder »

Ok, thanks for the info, I'll take it for a drive tomorrow and try those suggestions out. It needs to go to the dealers anyway for knackered rear bushes but I'd like to have some idea of the problem before they start quoting me silly money to 'investigate the problem sir.' They really grind my gears sometimes...
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blazeguarder
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Re: Clutch on its way out?

Post by blazeguarder »

Tried the pulling off in third gear thing and managed to get it going without stalling. Went for a blast on some fast roads and it doesn't seem to be picking up as sharply as before either. The gearchange seems to have loosened up a bit after the fast roads though, so the mystery continues.

Booked in at the dealers on Monday so hopefully they can sort it out!
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blazeguarder
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Re: Clutch on its way out?

Post by blazeguarder »

Update: car went to the dealers today. The chief mechanic took it for a spin and reckoned that it was the gear linkage that needed adjusting. Good as new now for only £60 odd. Result!
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