Technical Stiff/clicking Cinq clutch

[Maninacan]

Hello fellow Chinkers!

I just bought my second Cinq - a really nice low mileage, low owners 95N Sporting. It drove great on the test drive but after the 20 mile drive home the clutch had started to get stiff and make a nasty click as the pedal went past mid-way. When its cold it doesn't do this and feels fine. The previous owner said he'd had the clutch cable replaced recently.

Anybody had this or know what the cause might be?

cheers

Dan

 

[fingers99]

Probably replaced the cable because it snapped. But usually the cables snap because the clutch itself is on the way out.

Worthwhile checking to see if it's routed OK, lubed and adjusted properly and that the cotter pin hasn't been replaced by a bent nail or something.

 

[prompon]

Hi there, I had the same problem with my Cinq. Mine is the sporting thought, there's shouldnt be a difference but the problem is that its going to become more and more stiffer by time. I had to change the clutch as the 'thrust' went! Make sure to take asap to someone to replace it as the cable will snap again as you are over stressing it. I know its a hassle!

Cheers!

 

[Vic20]

Probably the start of what happened to mine HERE

Mine's an N reg that we have owned from new so you probably have the same clutch components.

The clicking is probably the thrust bearing clicking into the wear grooves in the cover plate leaves.

Vic

 

[Maninacan]

Thanks for that Vic - does that mean a new clutch then? cheers, Dan

 

[Maninacan]

So it seems its a new clutch - any recommendations for ones to go for and ones to avoid?

I'm on a tight budget as i never bargained for this but obviously its a false economy to put a rubbish one in - not the sort of job you wanna do twice!

 

[fingers99]

Just get the cheapest you can, but get a complete clutch kit, pressure & friction plates and release bearing. It should stay together for 50,000 miles.

 

[levemircento]

any recommendations for ones to go for and ones to avoid?

If you are very hard on your clutch, then go for the best one you can afford.

I am not particularly hard on my clutch, cos I drive like a sunday driver, I bought a clutch kit [bearing, cover and plate] off ebay last week for £43.99, thats my job for next week..

My thrust bearing is on its way out too, theres nothing wrong with the clutch [although I suspect, the fingers where the bearing pushes, will be goosed!] so as its a fairly big job getting the gearbox off, may as well do the whole thing.

 

[Aust]

the cable is a common thing to go..

as stated before by others.. go to your local spares shop and get yourself a full kit
thrust bearing
pressure plate
the lot

regards

 

[Maninacan]

Just wanted to point out that the clutch pedal feels absolutely fine when cold - does this stack up with what's being said above?

It's only after a longish run that this loud click halfway down the pedal starts...

thanks again

Dan

 

[fingers99]

Very difficult to even guess what effect temperature is having/might have. I do think the clutch is knackered, though.

 

[Hansen_DK]

Mine was fine when the engine was cold, but it changed over a couple of weeks.

Your car has every sign of a dead thrust bearing - get it sorted, rather now than later.

 

[Vic20]

About 'half pedal' is probably the point where the thrust bearing starts to touch the clutch release plate and the length of time it takes before the click happens is probably right for the gearbox/clutch housing to get hot.

The clutch pedal mechanism and cable won't heat up appreciably so the symptoms all point to the clutch area.

What you don't know is how long everything will keep working before something catastrophically fails and leaves you stranded or at least unable to restart again.

New clutch kit for peace of mind, you won't regret it!

 

[Maninacan]

Don't worry - the car won't move until its fixed - i'm still driving the old pea.

 

[ss3392]

hiya ... i got my Sei booked in for clutch as not confident am competant enought to do myself, but is there anything i can do to make it less clicky until i get it to the garage? (2 weeks away!)

thanx

Sandi

 

[levemircento]

hiya ... i got my Sei booked in for clutch as not confident am competant enought to do myself, but is there anything i can do to make it less clicky until i get it to the garage? (2 weeks away!)

thanx

Sandi

get the bus

 

[Vic20]

Not really, just be gentle on the clutch pedal and it should last.

 

[ss3392]

get the bus

lol! had a ring round and got it booked in Sunday! also saved me £80! Cheeky robbing garage that quoted £45/hour for bloody labour!

I have been avoiding it for months and its got noticeably worse this week so needs doin asap!

thanks
Sandi

 

[Vic20]

£45/ Hour that's a bloody bargain. My local Audi garage charge £95 an hour!