I have myself a slipping clutch. Gears can still be engaged but the engine runs away at about 3/4 throttle in any gear. Flicked through the Haynes which suggests "Incorrect release bearing to pressure plate finger clearance" and/or "Friction linings worn out or oil contaminated."

*Sigh*

The timing really couldn't be better as I'm going to a gig with 4 mates tomorrow. :bang: Suggestions?

FuzzyPanda said:

I have myself a slipping clutch. Gears can still be engaged but the engine runs away at about 3/4 throttle in any gear. Flicked through the Haynes which suggests "Incorrect release bearing to pressure plate finger clearance" and/or "Friction linings worn out or oil contaminated."

*Sigh*

The timing really couldn't be better as I'm going to a gig with 4 mates tomorrow. :bang: Suggestions?

Click to expand...

tried adjusting the cable up? may give you a short period till you can get it done

That is what's I've done for now. There's hardly any pedal travel now lol but if it gets me to the gig and back I'm happy.

yup thats what i did! My pedal travel has been a joke for about 6 months now. So u should be ok. Enjoy the gig!
Cheers
Si

Has anyone bought a new clutch recently? Where from/how much? Also interested to know how tough replacement is.

I'm spending far too much money on Rufus atm. Although this year's insurance was £370 which ain't bad.

It's not tough but can be fiddley putting the gearbox back. You can get replacement Kits from anywhere and if memory serves Fiat was a simmilar price to motor factors about £40-£50, but do buy a full new kit including the thrust bearing.

Ok. I may well have a stab at this myself to save on ridiculous labour costs.

Its a shame you not closer, as the garage that the Mercedes is in has a metal loop in one of the ceiling beams with a hoist attached (take engine out, remove box, fit clutch)

well ive got the clutch i need now, just need to find time to fit it before the clutch fails completely. it cost me £5 plus £10 postage lol on ebay. Lucky thats for sure. Worth a try though!
Cheers
si

Alan.D said:

It's not tough but can be fiddley putting the gearbox back. You can get replacement Kits from anywhere and if memory serves Fiat was a simmilar price to motor factors about £40-£50, but do buy a full new kit including the thrust bearing.

Click to expand...

Alan, is the thrust bearing included in this kit?

I have no idea what one looks like.

*Flicks through Haynes*

Yep it's the little carrier bearing to the left of the plate. I was thinking about going for that package but unsure if it would fit the 4x4 and probably wouldn't

I'm pretty sure it'll fit on mine but I'm going to go (walk ) to the Motor Factors round here to get a part number and price. Also gonna try some garages regarding fitting, see what they quote me. One garage hasn't contacted me yet (after over a week) and needs reminding methinks.

I'm very tempted to have a stab at this myself just to save some dollar, and for that lovely sense of satisfaction when the job is done. How long d'you reckon it'd take to change? I have all of Thursday free so...

For f*ck's sake. Wing mirror was stoved into the driver's door overnight, whole thing is complely f*cked. I know there's an internally adjustable mirror at the scrappy back home but with no clutch (WD40 can't even save me now) I'm up slack alley for a while.

Still, just one day left on the clutch on eBay I want so things may improve next week.

I might have one but it won't help your car move

It's ok Alan there were internally adjustable mirrors on the silver Panda in the scrapyard I posted up a few months back.

OK if you need it later let me know and I'll have a look.

Won the clutch. Local garage has quoted ~£130 fitting, but I'm gonna read the Haynes to see how hard it would be to do myself. Things are on the up.

Local garage quoted £80 a good while back when i couldn't be bothered but for £80 I just got on with it.

gonna hijack the thread a moment to ask this as the thread title seemed ot cover it...

has anyone got a fuel pipe from the petrol cap to the tank from a mark 1/2 4x4 knocking around... perhaps not used in a kit car...

ok hijack over...

As one of the few Panda based kit car owners on the forum that you're hinting at I'd have offered you the unused one I had. Unfortunately the clips holding it on were just masses of corrosion and I ended up cutting it off. Sorry mate. Perhaps Les will have one he doesn't need?

Hmm, just had a thought: which pipe do you mean? The main one the fuel goes down when refilling or the vent pipe which connects the tank to the filler neck? If the vent pipe, that's the one I cut. If the main pipe, on the MK1 the tank has an integral metal filler, the MK2 has a flexible plasic filler.