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Clutch Spring

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Clutch Spring

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Steve

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I've had my 98R HGT since new and have had 3 new clutch springs. It's done 42000 miles around 25000 being motorway.
I do use engine braking (i'm still on the original pads and discs, although they are due for replacement at my next service 45000) and heal and toe to maximise engine and disc braking.
Is this a common problem. The first one went at 7000 and the second 39000, so i'm now on my third.
I've had other cars and never had to replace a clutch spring (although not brand new). Have any of you experienced the same problem?
Thanks for any responses in advance.
 
Spring

You too!

The spring on my 97 Bravo went snap at just over 16,000 I have now reached upto & over 33,000 on my second however it wasn't replaced with an official fiat part. A clever lad at my local dealer created one himself as a replacement & is still going strong, the only thing i can suggest is if the third goes get someone to make another for you seeing as the origional parts are not much stronger than a paperclip.
 
spring

Being somewhat heavy footed I have gone through two springs in 30,000 miles.
A tip for anyone renewing their sping is to put it upside down to whats shown on the diagram.
By putting it upside down all of the strain is then put on the spring coiled section and not the straight bit, this has solved the problem for me so far.
 
stupid question

whats the concept of engine breaking?

KL
 
Engine braking

Instead of pressing on the brakes, you downshift to lower gears to slow your car down.
 
Engine braking

Most experts agree that the proper way to drive is..
gears to go and brakes to slow.....which means that you use the brakes and the brakes only to slow down, this way you only put the strain on the parts that are fairly cheap to replace, if you use the engine to brake, then you can put undue strain on the working parts of the engine, possibly wearing out the gearbox quicker, and I sure wouldnt like to replace one of those a fiat prices.
Incidenttaly, when I passed my test ( in the army, years ago) we were taught to double the clutch when moving up or down a gear..made you feel like a frigging ballet dancer some times
 
teachers and practicality

i learnt to drive in my dads renault clio with a 1.9 diesel. we used engine braking in this because it was cheaper than replacing brake pads every three months (high miles). engine braking doesnt work nearly as well in my 1.8 petrol bravo, but i still love it. the braking is a useful skill because if your brakes suddenly die on you, you do at least have some means of slowing a little before hitting that stone wall!

i still do and always will use engine braking because it is a. fun and b. practical.

i until recently had a subaru legacy automatic and the inability o engine brake drove me nuts!
 
Braking

I cant argue that it is perhaps as useful skill to know, but there is no way I would use engine braking more than normal style braking. Firstly, under engine braking, your brake lights wouldnt come on, and if you were going down hill, I dont think engine braking would actually bring you to a halt.
 
curious

Lets suppose that you are cruising along at about 50 on a duel carrigeway with trafic lights at the end.
You are leading the traffic and with plenty of warning, you see the lights start to change to red, would you describe your braking system.
 
Police Methods

I was taught to drive a road car (not pass a test) by Kent Police many years ago. They never use engine breaking and rely on the breaks as they are the cheapest part to replace.

However, I must admit to using engine breaking at high speeds to "check" the momentum, but never do so in anything under 3rd.

I would recommend doing it an anythng under a 2.0 as the gearbox will pop through the floor!

Also, if you get used to driving an auto then it alters your style again.

N
 
aaaaaaaaagggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

SPLLAT

(I also meant wouldN'T on the under 2.0 bit!)

Basically you stand on the break pedal with the clutch depressed and utilise the ABS which allows you to steer which most people forget (or never realised).

Anyway you should be prepared for the lights changing, if not you deserve to hit a truck, loose your NCB and not be allowed to drive again until you have learnt anticipation.

Lecture over.
 
bloody brummie

I was asking the other guy...just curious if he kept downshifting AND used engine braking all the way to the lights until he stopped. Would imagine that would be a massive amount of wear and tear on the engine.
Would be more sympathetic surely to just keep lightly applying the brakes, to bring you to a standstill and then slip into neutrel?
 
Re: curious

Assuming your in fifth: Brake (Show brake lights, v.important!), then down to third gear. Then brake and when just before stopping (when engine makes a funny noise because of low spped in third gear) into second and then put the clutch down. Mine is a 1.8 HLX.
 
air brakes

I find the best way to slow down very quickly is by pulling the bonnet release lever using a firm but controled pulling motion thus ensuring the cable does not snap nor stretch. The ensuing wind drag and turbulence bringing the vehicle to a contoled stop in a very short distance.

However their is a down side, that being the required replacement of said bonnet. I never leave home without a spare one , usually strapped to the roof.

Therefore both engine and braking components are spared any undue stress.
 
rotflmao

And I suppose you use the boot in the same manner whislt reversing?
 
patrick

what is the benefit of double clutchin?

What difference would it make in a Fiat Bravo? I often here the phrase but dont understand it, as with engine brakin

Engine breaking sounds fun but i am concerned about the undue levels of stress and as nigel said my gear box may not handle it


KL
 
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