Clutch pedal linkage

[crimsonchim]

Folks,

The clutch pedal on my chimaera parted company with the master cylinder last night. No great drama, the cir-clip had come off and the rod simply fell off, no innerds of the piston came out, just the linkage. While I was upside down putting the circlip back on today I noticed that the rod is bent about 20 degrees at the pedal end where the lock nut is. Looks a bit odd to me, like it's been damaged, but can't see how the hell it could get bent like that in use. Also it had a new master cyl at its service last month, surely they would have noticed!

Before I get under there and take it all apart again, is it supposed to be, err, "angled" slightly?

[rmaurer]

Have got some clutch problems myself (I think...?!)

Just completed a 700 mile round tour of Devon etc and coming back yesterday, I realised how loose/floppy the top 2-3 inches of clutch travel are. Now I don't think it's been like this before, and the clutch still seems to engage/disengage as normal though I'm not entirely sure whether the biting point has dropped towards the floor...

Just wondered what the return mechanism for the clutch pedal is, and whether this is the start of a problem...

The car is a '95 Chimaera 4.0C with around 44,500 miles on it. Not sure when the clutch was last done...

Any suggestions?

[tvradict]

seems that alot of people are having clutch trouble! I saw 4 yes 4 clutches let go yesterday on various cars! I went into my local garage to enquire about getting mine done, he said he already had 6 in being done! My clutch has just about given up! Only a thousand miles or so left (although how they can tell I don't know!)! I originally thought it was my cable but it appears to be the clutch itself! Doh! I have 13 days to get the car sorted or I won't be going to MK on the 31st march! Damn!

[squirrelz]

quote:
I realised how loose/floppy the top 2-3 inches of clutch travel are. Now I don't think it's been like this before, and the clutch still seems to engage/disengage as normal though I'm not entirely sure whether the biting point has dropped towards the floor...

Mine was like that, was the clutch master cylinder leaking - no fluid left in the reserviour, was pumping air
After the floppy stage, it then got more and more difficult to change gear - had to pump the clutch pedal to change gear.

[rmaurer]

Is the master cylinder easily replaceable? The car's in need of a full service so I'll be booking it in with David Batty in the next month. Is this an easily sourceable part, or is it a TVR special?

Was worried that I might lose the ability to change gear as I travelled back from Devon, but made it home without a problem... I've now possibly got a problem getting it to David Batty... Hmmm...

[RobM]

Does it look like this...




>> Edited by RobM on Monday 18th March 20:34

[crimsonchim]

quote:
Does it look like this...

Yeah, exactly, I can't focus on it that close either!!

Well it does now that I've strainghtened it anyway.

Had a look at another Chim this evening and it appears that the joint end of the shaft was assembled in the wrong hole in the pedal arm (there's two), causing it to be out of line when you depress the clutch fully, which in turn bent the shaft.

Took it apart, straightened the rod, put it back together again (properly), seems OK now. Hopefully no lasting damage.

So if you're planning on taking that lot apart, it goes in the bottom hole! OK?

Strange that my car had a new master cyl. at service last month, it MUST have been put back wrong then, or it would have bent ages ago.

Anyway, happier now.

Cheers,

Andy

[RobM]

quote:
Is the master cylinder easily replaceable? The car's in need of a full service so I'll be booking it in with David Batty in the next month. Is this an easily sourceable part, or is it a TVR special?

You can buy a new master cylinder for arounf 40 notes, but changing one is like passing a gallstone with your pants on. I speak from experience