Clutch/Gearbox Trouble?

[Karl_CLCoupe]

Whilst travelling home last night, I noticed my clutch pedal become very sloppy. The bite point had moved from 3/4 of the way up the pedal to round about a quarter of the way. As far as I'm aware my car hasn't had a new clutch cable, and might still have the old self adjusting type. Is this a case of it deciding to adjust?

Driving the car to college this morning after last night, and in addition to the bite point moving on the clutch, 1st gear is very hard to select, and 2nd has become quite stiff now.

Are either of these a major cause for concern?

Karl.

[amstrange1]

Has the clutch been slipping prior to this? It could be that the clutch and/or release bearing has given up the ghost - but you tend to get a bit more warning first.

I'd be tempted to go and get a new manual adjustment clutch cable and see if that helps things. If it doesn't, you've not wasted your money anyway - because the auto adjust ones are crap...

[SpikeyG40]

i'd agree with amstrange. one of the first things i checked on my g40 was for the clutch cable!

had issuses with the bite point moving on my 1ltre and it was cured by changing the cable!

i found resting on the clutch with my foot changed the bit point, also moving the clutch a couple of times but not taking my foot right off also did it too!

your not wasting money, its a worth while thing to do!

[Petrified]

make sure your peddle box has not broken

[amstrange1]

Ah, good point! And check the cable's still connected properly too.

Though the only Mk3 pedal 'box failures I'd heard about were on G40s that's owners liked to heel/toe.

[Petrified]

Though the only Mk3 pedal 'box failures I'd heard about were on G40s that's owners liked to heel/toe.

[Karl_CLCoupe]

Its getting checked out tonight, as its making a very nice crunching noise whilst selecting reverse...

Hope it doesn't end up too expensive whatever it is!

Karl

[SpikeyG40]

as its making a very nice crunching noise whilst selecting reverse...
Karl

mine does that sometimes too! but i think its the gearbox oops

[GroovyCarrot]

Crunchy reverse is a common problem, I've had it on both my gearboxes.. I find the best way to avoid it is to stop completely, change into 2nd, then select reverse. Never crunches if I do that, but it always does if I just whack it straight in.

[heartagram]

Turning up the music also cure the reverse crunch

[SpikeyG40]

Turning up the music also cure the reverse crunch

hehehehe

like that, very good!

i've also been told about this putting into second gear stops the crunching into reverse!

have to give that a go!

[GroovyCarrot]

Yeah, works a treat. Always crunches if I don't do that, never does if I do
Got to get my clutch done though.. got the kit sitting on my bed, but no means of fitting it

[amstrange1]

Ignore the into reverse crunch. It did it on my mum's Mk4 from new (they use an 085 gearbox too) and the only way to stop it from doing it was to wait an absolute age from going from a forward gear to reverse...

Try the clutch cable thing, and if that doesn't work only then start to worry! Doubt it's a worn clutch or release bearing as you'd get more warning - and you're car's done too few miles for the 'box to be worn.

[hayesey]

it's only because reverse is a straight cut gear (hence the racket it makes when reversing) where as others are cone shaped. nothing to worry about.

[LogIK]

I thought it was because reverse doesn't have a syncromesh?

The straight cut gears just make it whine, as helical cut gears reduce the contact pressure on each tooth as it engages.