Clutch 'bite point' - air issue or...?

**JoshuaPHarvey** · 1st June 2025, 08:42 PM

Hi all,

I recently purchased a 2003 TD5 manual Discovery.

The 'bite point' of the clutch is extremely low, and there is a lot of sponginess and travel in the pedal. After doing a bit of reading on here, I came to the conclusion that there is air in the hydraulic line.

When I bled the line today, lots of air came out...and continued to come out...and continued...

I ended up going through 1L of fluid, and still the air bubbles kept coming. Needless to say, there was minimal change to the pedal.

Would this indicate a problem elsewhere eg, an issue with the master cylinder, or is there a pocket where air likes to hide in the clutch line?

I'm not sure if it's worth mentioning, but the brakes feel excellent; solid pedal, no sponginess at all.

Thanks for any help.

Josh

**Tins** · 1st June 2025, 09:36 PM

Not sure about the D2, but the D1 can be a pig to bleed. You might get some ideas here.

**BradC** · 1st June 2025, 09:45 PM

The D3 is no picnic either. Had great results with a Motive power bleeder and >25 PSI.

**TonyC** · 2nd June 2025, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by Tins

Not sure about the D2, but the D1 can be a pig to bleed. You might get some ideas here.

You beat me to it!
I've updated that thread to say we removed the dampener with no ill affects.

Josh, does the D2 have the same dampener?

Tony

**JoshuaPHarvey** · 7th June 2025, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by TonyC

You beat me to it!
I've updated that thread to say we removed the dampener with no ill affects.

Josh, does the D2 have the same dampener?

Tony

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your response.

My Discovery doesn't have the dampener. I wasn't sure whether to start that sentence with "Unfortunately" or "Fortunately"!

Josh

**JoshuaPHarvey** · 7th June 2025, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by BradC

The D3 is no picnic either. Had great results with a Motive power bleeder and >25 PSI.

Thanks, Brad.

I actually tried a power bleeder and compressor to no avail. I was mindful of the fact that the extra power might pull air past the thread of the bleed screw, so I tried to find the 'sweet spot' of opening the screw enough, but not too far.

Josh

**JoshuaPHarvey** · 7th June 2025, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by Tins

Not sure about the D2, but the D1 can be a pig to bleed. You might get some ideas here.

Thanks, Tins.

There were certainly some helpful ideas on that thread.

I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

The car has an extensive service history (everything is documented from new). About 20K kms ago the car had a new slave cylinder installed as it was leaking. The service receipt says 'Hydraulic system bled and road tested. All OK'.

I'm directing my thinking towards the master cylinder...

**JoshuaPHarvey** · 7th June 2025, 12:48 PM

Thanks everyone for your replies. I appreciate the time taken to respond.

I'm a Primary School Teacher, so don't have a lot of time to follow up during the week, which is why I'm only just getting back to everyone now.

Josh

**BradC** · 7th June 2025, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by JoshuaPHarvey

I actually tried a power bleeder and compressor to no avail. I was mindful of the fact that the extra power might pull air past the thread of the bleed screw, so I tried to find the 'sweet spot' of opening the screw enough, but not too far.

That sounds like a vacuum bleeder. A power bleeder forces brake fluid into the reservoir at 20-50PSI. You get a good stream out of the bleed valve with those

**Tins** · 7th June 2025, 04:08 PM

Originally Posted by JoshuaPHarvey

Thanks everyone for your replies. I appreciate the time taken to respond.

I'm a Primary School Teacher, so don't have a lot of time to follow up during the week, which is why I'm only just getting back to everyone now.

Josh

Don’t worry about it Josh. We all have lives away from AULRO. Hope you can sort it.

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