(G) Clutch/clutch cable problem issue (again) ???

Hi all
Another Clutch/clutch cable problem has hit my Sei Sporting.
Has been fine since my new cable was fitted earlier this year (March?) ive had to adjust it a couple of times but it was fine.... until last night.
Then last night, it seemed hard to get it into 1st gear.
Went to drive it this morning from the house and it will NOT go into ANY gear and crunches badly in reverse (and wont go into reverse). There has never been much of a bite to TBH and the car is always tough for others to drive -My GF hates it!
Im gonna look at the cable tonight as it didnt appear to snap (like last time). Although the pedal has now sunk to the floor. Is this looking more like a clutch problem?
my MOT is due in next few weeks so im thinking just get a new clutch fitted at same time. Its gonna be pricey
cheers
Mike

Try to adjust it. If that doesn't work, then it sounds (IMO) like the release bearing, so new clutch time.

Like he says. Shop around for prices: the backstreet guys here do it for £100 plus parts (say £40): a main dealer might charge £300 + !!!!!

cheers lads, i'll try adjusting when i get home later and report back.
Can handly £150 for new clutch but not dealership prices (they are keek in Edinburgh anyway, bad service from them a year ago)
So even though the pedal is now at the floor, is it plausible that, with adjustment, the cable can be sorted and it will go back to working ok again?

thanks again

M

It is possible that it might adjust up, but I'm guessing that the release bearing has ate the cover.

Which 'Edinburgh' are you in. I Can confirm that one in Scotland is still in February. Unless in your universe March comes before February!

Cheers

D

Not sure if it's related. I had a problem last week, probably after being bent for months; I've got the same car as you. The pin that holds one of the pivots for the clutch pedal snapped last week, the cable's fine. Result: pedal to the floor.

Follow the clutch pedal, it should be connected to a rod that in turn is connected to a pivot. This pivot is connected to another rod and pivots through a plastic thing on its middle, held in place on to a bracket to the body. This plastic thing is what snapped on mine.

Look at this diagram. The pivot is number 8, the broken pin is number 10.

Hope it's not that. The clearance there is nonexistant and I'll be struggling tonight to extract the remainings of the plastic thing from the bracket.

??

cheers for that info mate, but i think, as suggested above, the clutch is finally worn out (release bearing perhpas). It'll be the 1st replacement one the car has had (at 57000) so not too bad i guess

Timewarp

oops !

ok, tightened the clutch cable but no joy. Pedal still sunk and not moving down when i tighten the cable nut. The clutch cable appears to be ok. I'm now assuming the clutch is f****d. Got it booked into local garage next week.
One question for the tech heads though:- The clutch appeared to be ok up until last night. Not a great deal of bite but each gear went in nicely with no probs. Can a clutch just suddenly "go" like this? I read above that the clutch release bearing may be gone, would this cause the clutch to behave like it did? It was fine pulling away uphill etc, no sign that it was gonna do this. It wont go into any gear now, not even 3rd or 4th.
In saying all this, it IS my Sei's 1st replacement clutch since new (2000) and covered 57k mostly town driving.
Finally what cost am i looking at, roughly? a Local garage, not dealership.
thanks again and sorry i got my months mixed up !!

Mikey

I'd guess in the order of £200 - £250. Backstreet clutch places are much cheaper, but you don't get a receptionist (or, usually, a reciept).

do it yourslef, its not that hard, i done mine and i have no expeiriance.

u can get a clutch for about £40 on ebay

takes about a day.

theres also a guide up too.

Edit : you say it wont go into any gear ? not even when parked with the engine off ? if so, it may be your gearbox, gear linkage thats giving you hassle.

ah! i didnt think of that. Last time that happened was to a 205 GTI i had in the 80's. Its going to garage anyway, i'll let them decide. I dont want to start ordering parts when i might not be the problem. But thanks for that advice. I'll pass it on to the grease monkey. But if it was gear linkage etc, would that explain the clutch pedal dropping like it did? How much for a gear linkage repair, roughly?
cheers
Mikey

If the car chneges gear when the engine isn't turning then its unlikely to be the gearbox.

The release bearing fails, then instead of turning like a bearing should, either the cover eats the bearing or the bearing eats the cover.

Yes, it can suddenly break through, Alaina had exactly this problem with her black one, and the release bearing came out in about 37 parts, the last two having to be chiselled off the input shaft, the plastic had melted.

Cheers

D