Quick clutch question

[andisnewsyncro]

My clutch just "went" suddenly with no hints anything was amiss, no slipping or difficulty engaging gears etc. 2.1 WBX Syncro in case it makes a difference.

I pressed the pedal to change down at a roundabout, felt a small click through the pedal and that was it, quick crash change to get off the roundabout and AA back home ! Plenty of fluid and bled it through just in case, some pressure on the pedal still but nothng actually happening - just a high pitched squeal when pressing the pedal and trying to engage gear.

Is this just one of those things that happens or do I need to be looking for any other possible culprits whilst it's in bits later this afternoon? In all fairness it's been in a while & last looked at about 40000km ago so just routine maintenance I'm guessing, but I've never had one just go like this on anything before.

Andi

[HarryMann]

Look at the clutch operating arm as someone else is working the clutch. If this is moving & rotating the operating shaft thropugh the bellhousing then its box out and find out what has collapsed.
Initially sounds like new clucth complete, but check if that op a rm is moving fully first

[andisnewsyncro]

Look at the clutch operating arm as someone else is working the clutch. If this is moving & rotating the operating shaft thropugh the bellhousing then its box out and find out what has collapsed.
Initially sounds like new clucth complete, but check if that op a rm is moving fully first

Yep, the arm's moving properly so it's a take apart job. I'm preparing for a new 3 piece clutch kit on the theory that once everything's out I might as well change everything. More intrigued about the way it just gave up really, but the theory is the release bearing has gone through the clutch plates, (at least I think that's what was suggested ..) but why, old age & wear & tear? How many miles can you reasonably expect from a clutch? I know it's a "how long's a piece of string" type question but again, just interested really for future reference.
Cheers
Andi

[HarryMann]

Yes, 'how long is a piece of string'

I suppose 50,000 miles might be expected reasonably. Very dependent on usage - VERY! Bit likes brakes too.

Release bearing might have broken up. The way the hydraulics works, as opposed to a cable clutch, means that release bearing and spring face wear are automatically taken up, so not obvious. On our Micra, I know whats going on and a couple of times a year, adjust the cable (dead easy to do)

[andisnewsyncro]

It's looking like it's just worn over time. The automatic take up of any wear explains the suuden demise.
Brickwerks it is for a new one then.

Everything else seems in order and going back through my paperwork, it last had one in 1997 and has done about 45,000 miles on it, around 20,000 of those in the last 2 years since its enging replacement, so I can't really complain.

Thanks for the info, much appreciated

Andi

[Red Westie]

45,000 is pretty low mileage for a clutch but then it all depends on the kind of miles (45,000 local miles represents hundreds of thousands of clutch operations and probably equal to 150,000 long motorway/carridgeway runs)
Also driving technique does have a lot to do with it, slipping and riding the clutch dramatically shortens it's life.
Yours could be one of several things:
Thrust bearing has collapsed
Thrust bearing has worn through the diaphram spring fingers
nylon end on release arm pivot has collapsed
Release arm broken
FAO....a 3 part clutch is sold as a kit BECAUSE all three parts need changing at the same time. There are occasionally circumstances where you may just change one part ie; perhaps oil contamination on a relatively new clutch may warrant changing just the friction plate.
Remember to use proper spline grease (not ordinary LM or white like some use) you can buy this in small use once sachets.
Martin

[HarryMann]

Bentley mentions HT Moly grease, but very light dressing of course, after any grunge has been cleaned out of the grooves.

[andisnewsyncro]

Right, new clutch ordered from Brickwerks, van at my usual local garage. I'm not doing the fitting myself & I do trust these guys. The thrust bearing has indeed worn through the spring plate, Red Westie. Thanks for all the info and I'm happy that nothing has happened other than it's just worn out.

The old clutch went in 45,000 miles ago aprox, it looks like the van had very little use for the first 10 years with it, then I got my hands on it. When I got the new engine about 20,000 miles ago we looked at the clutch and it seemed ok. With hindsight I should have just put a new one in at the same time; an elderly clutch with some wear being mated to a new engine was probably just asking for premature failure really.

If all goes according to plan I should have back on the road by Saturday lunch time wallet permitting, Another thing I can tick off on my "done" list.

[Red Westie]

Nice one....a new LUK should last you a few years and many trouble free miles.
Martin

[andisnewsyncro]