Hello there!

I have a problem with my clutch... I have a Fiat Brava - 1.4 SX 12v - 1998 model.

It all started when it was getting tough to change gears day by day, (hard to change gears for 4 days) and now it is almost impossible to change gear, you have to push the clutch all the way down really hard to get it in, but even if you do that it often stalls, and I don't want to do that as I might really damage the clutch.

And now when I press down on the clutch a squeeky noise occurs, and sounds like something is really grinding... But the clutch is the same to press down as it was when I first brought it a year ago, as in it's not stiff. I have asked many people and done alot of searching around on the internet, but not a definate answer.

Most people have said it's the 'clutch slave cylinder'.

Are these the symptons of a breaking clutch slave cylinder?

Many thanks!

nope, sounds like a thrust bearing.

when a slave cylinder goes it will leak clutch (brake) fluid out of the end and you'll see it pouring onto the top of the gearbox.

When a master cylinder goes you might get a fluid leak inside the cabin, or when you press the clutch the slave cylinder doesn't move very much.

If neither of these are happening then it sounds like either the thrust bearing has failed/failing, or the fingers on the pressure plate have broken off. A rarer possibility is that the pressure plate cage has broken and the whole assembly collapses inwards.

Thanks for the input

I guess i'l have to tow it to a garage and get someone to take a look, I just don't want to be ripped off like I have been before.

I've been looking around under the bonet today, and I managed to find the clutch slave cylinder, and it looks damaged...



Looks like the rubber bit has been torn.

Would that make the fluid leak?

soulkeepe said:

I've been looking around under the bonet today, and I managed to find the clutch slave cylinder, and it looks damaged...

Looks like the rubber bit has been torn.

Would that make the fluid leak?

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No, this boot is to stop the piston from rusting or popping out.

A slave cylinder can leak without external signs. However usually the leak is external and easy to spot.

This will illiminate it.

Push the clutch arm over manually (the bit that the piston pushes)

wedge it fully open in the direction the piston pushes it.

Get in the car. start it up and try to select a gear As now you have over ridden the clutch pedal system entirely.

Alternately get someone to press down on the clutch. At the same time you look at the cylinder and note how far its moving the arm

If it is difficult to select now, then the problem as I suspect is with the clutch.

nope that slave looks OK, if the slave had failed there would be a decent amount of fluid around that area.
if it was master you would find an oily mess down the back of the bulkhead or inside of footwell.

get somebody inside the car to pump the clutch back and forth, and make sure the slave is pushing the clutch fork arm a decent amount.

Sounds to me very likely to be the clutch thrust bearing has failed. or is failing. mine went on a punto, very similar symtoms to that, until one day, it just disintegrated, made a right mess, nearly needed to replace flywheel & gearbox at that point, but was lucky got away with it.

jen 79 said:

not worth sortin out.

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usually it costs very little to weld up an MOT failure.

Thanks for your help guys, appreciate it, it's going to a garage within the next week, and will let you know what happen : )

jen 79 said:

also if it's any help i had to have it replaced in the first place cos the pressure plate cage had broken as the guy said in thread number 3, it wasn't pretty!!

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Not as rare as it seems then!

jug said:

usually it costs very little to weld up an MOT failure.

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it's both sides front to back, seat belt anchors the lot. the door seal had gone when i got it and i went out to find a built in foot spa a few times before i sussed it! that water basically rotted the floor, plus i live on the south coast so salty rain and wind doesn't help!

in that case it does sound like scrap.

jug said:

in that case it does sound like scrap.

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i did have a new clutch put in it 10months ago tho so if i end up taking that or the gear box to put in my new car what do i do with it, cos obviously it won't drive anywhere?? at this rate i'm gonna end up paying someone to take it away!!

thanks ot the price of scrap steel it is fairly easy to find people who are willing to collect a scrap car. your locla paper should have a couple in the classifieds section, or try asking local scrapyards. alternatively advertise it for £50 on ebay. someone may want it to break.

Hey again!

Just to let you know, that the bearing had worn, and the plates had worn, so it needed a new clutch kit... I managed to get a cluch kit for only £50, and I managed to get a garage to fit it for me for £115, so not bad at all!

But my car has yet another problem, the starter motor is failing it seems, when I turn the ignition, a squeek occurs... after about 7 or 8 times it starts... so maybe the solenoid is broke... or maybe it needs a good clean, gonna try cleaning it first though I think!