Technical Problems with clutch cable, three have broke in 6 months!

[violetta]

Hi,
I've got a 1999 Seicento Sporting. I've had three clutch cables break in my car in the past 6 months! Not good when you are going round a roundabout! Has anyone else ever had this problem or have an idea of what may be causing them to break?

Had a new clutch fitted five months ago too, which I thought may have have fixed the problems but it hasn't!

 

[Bazza155]

I take it that a new release bearing was installed at the same time??

 

[violetta]

Eh, I don't really know. I'm guessing it would have been caus it was a full new clutch I asked for. I'm not too good with the technical side of cars!

 

[jimbro1000]

The cable can snap easily if it isn't fitted correctly or one of the other parts of the clutch cable/linkage are in poor order.

Normally the cable snaps once with each new owner (don't ask me why but it seems to be the way of things), the plastic bell on the cabin end of the cable can break too or the linkage arm across the cabin can get bent/broken. If the bell isn't properly aligned it will snap the hook end of the cable. If the cable isn't properly restrained while adjusting the tension it will break at the gearbox end. Washing the engine bay out can cause the cable to snap (after a while) too - all that grease can actually be beneficial.

My son keeps snapping the one in his car so I always keep a spare in the boot of the car and I have the swap over operation down to about 30 minutes... In his case it is just abuse that seems to cause the problem.

 

[Benjammo]

my sei wen't through 4 clutches, 3-4 cables (maybe more cant remember) 2 link rods ands loads of pivot points, in 2-3 months how heavy does your clutch feel? mine ate so many because the clutch fork was bugered, and it went to 2 crap garages.

 

[jimbro1000]

The clutch fork really should be replaced whenever the clutch is replaced. It isn't unusual for them to get bent, especially if the two bushes start to bind up. They cost about £15 (last time I checked) and if you've got the gearbox off (as you would have to for a clutch change) then it is a doddle to swap.

 

[tony811976]

deffo too much pressure being applied to break the cables so many times. tbh the cables only route one way so i doubt you are doing it wrong?

is it snapping in the same place? check for a sharp edge on the pedal end to see if somethings cutting it.

id say either fork is stiff/bent or they didnt grease whe bearing shaft.

they can bind a hell of a lot if they didnt

 

[cc1]

I changed the clutch + cable 4000 miles ago and the cable snapped.
This was because the clutch release arm and bushes were worn and I did not replace them. When the bushes are worn, one side of the arm pushes on the release bearing and makes it slide less easily on the tranfere shaft. Hense putting extra tension on the cable etc.

 

[violetta]

Not sure if it's snapping at the same point each time, I have got it fixed at a garage each time so I've never seen the cables. I'm sure once they said it was snapped at the sort of hooked end, which I thought was a bit strange.

Getting my car looked at tomorrow and hopefully get the new cable put in. Thanks for all your input, I have passed it on to the guy who is fixing it, hopefully he will get it fixed properly this time!

 

[Pep0]

The clutch pedal and gear box should be feather light, otherwise the cable will have a short life, and it is inconvenient when they snap.

If your fitter does not understand then you need to think about finding some one better, the clutch release mechanism may be worn, which will be expensive in time (>>£) to address, the parts as suggested above are cheap.

Noel

 

[violetta]

The clutch was pretty light, only made a crunch noise a few times the other day before it snapped, previous to that it was running great!

But I've went to a different place this time. Don't trust the other place now, with the info everyone has given on this I will now have half an idea what the guy in the garage is going on about when they tell me what's wrong.