Do I need a new clutch?

Post by **nairnski** » 18 Jun 2007, 08:35

Hello.

I have an intermittent problem on my T25 and it's getting slowly worse. When I am putting the van in gear I get a slight grating noise, only happens in 1st, 2nd and reverse. It's not a real crunch or anything really painful but it's geting worse. It comes and goes. Usually I find upping the revs when engaging these gears helps a bit.

The fluid level is fine. Clutch bite feels fairly high. I know the clutch hasn't been changed in three years since I bought the van.

New clutch? Thanks for any help.

Nairn.

Post by **bradcab** » 18 Jun 2007, 13:36

sounds like the clutch isn't disengaging when depressing the pedal, could be the release bearing sticking/leaking and or your loosing fluid pressure or air in the system.

Have you got "shudder" when pulling away in 1st?

Worst of all your synchro rings are on the way out.

Post by **DJZ** » 18 Jun 2007, 13:57

Bradcab, you mentioned shudder, I have a shudder on my van when pulling off in 1st unless I rev it really hard, does this mean clutch knackered?

Post by **nairnski** » 18 Jun 2007, 14:19

well the van shudders pretty much constantly. Seriously yip I do I get a bit in first gear a fair amount. I'd better call the garage I guess. I was hoping it would go away but I think it's very slowly getting worse. Thanks.

Post by **Rozzo** » 18 Jun 2007, 17:28

try changing the fluid first as it may well help.

Post by **bradcab** » 19 Jun 2007, 07:54

clutch shudder is the clutch plate slipping/not engaging correctly with the flywheel, or at worst the fly wheel is cracked or warped.

1st thing go for the cheap option have the system bled, and replace the old fluid with new.

you said before you didn't have any leaks. it takes a small amount of air bypassing a seal for the clutch to feel like its on its way out.

Have you checked for leaks at the clutch pedal cylinder?

Post by **nairnski** » 23 Jun 2007, 12:42

Turns out that it was the spigot bearing which has disintegrated. I've had quite a few months of slighlty crunching gears 1st, 2nd, reverse, and had started to get weird noises whining grinding, all in 1st and 2nd when accelerating.

Now it feels great, like a new van.

So if you are getting a new clutch at any point it's probably worth getting a new spigot bearing, the cost for the part was about £15.