Clutch question

[DannyVTS]

Just before i pop off to bed, so I'll respond to any replies in the morning

My gear linkages have been playing up lately, and today as I sat at some traffic light I couldn't get the car into either 1st or 2nd. Instead of wrestling at the gears as I would usually do and get it going I was in a lot of traffic and had the gut instinct to try and set off in 3rd, which I immediately regretted.

Although it got me moving and somehow freed up the linkages so that I could now engage 1st and 2nd at the next set of lights my car stunk of clutch

I'm just wondering if I've just taken a bit too much meat off the plates of if I could have actually done any damage to the assembly. I'll be taking the gearbox out over the holidays so is there anything that I can do to check the condition as prior to this it was a perfect clutch and almost brand new. Now it felt rather spungey and although biting at the same point it seemed to just not be as keen as it was.

Then again I could just be being over cautious again, but I do like hearing your opinions...

Danny

P.s, if I were to post a question on Air Filters, where would be the best section??

[useyourdellusion]

Maybe it just needs to cool down and it will be fine and feel more positive again. If it's relatively new, it will be pretty unaffected by this.

I would have thought so anyway.

[The Moose]

Did you try taking your foot off the clutch and putting it back on again?

Cheers

The Moose

[TheEnd]

Stretched clutch cable, dragging and burning clutch?

[Ray Luxury-Yacht]

I reckon the clutch plate will be fine. They can take quite a bit of abuse (think - women drivers in traffic)

My money is looking at the adjustment of the gear selector linkages. Do this first before ripping out the box, you may be surprised.

[useyourdellusion]

Also worth noting that some manual gearboxes need a bit of heat in them before they'll start to play ball, especially in this weather!

[shalmaneser]

Ultimately clutches are sacrificial components, just cause you've made it smell a bit doesn't mean it's fked. Unless it was on it's last legs anyway, in which case you may have given it the coupe de grace...

[MondeoMan1981]

useyourdellusion said:

Also worth noting that some manual gearboxes need a bit of heat in them before they'll start to play ball, especially in this weather!

Definately, I gauge how cold it is by my box's enthusiasm for 3rd gear

[Ozzie Osmond]

Doubt there's any real harm done on one smelly clutch event. Definitely time to get the gear linkage sorted though.

Don't forget that with a warm engine it's no big deal to switch off, engage gear (1st or 2nd), release clutch fully, start engine. The car may hop about a bit but you'll be away and running in gear without any need to use the clutch.

[DannyVTS]

Thankyou for all the advice guys

Clutch was fine this morning

Am i right in thinking i can adjust the cable so that the biting point is higher on the pedal ?

Danny