Clutch Question

[Leyland1980]

Yesterday on the way back to Brisbane from Carnarvon Gorge the clutch on my 2004 defender TD5 110 failed. No pressure on the pedal and absolutely no affect when depressed and a fair amount of fluid on the exhaust.

It appears that the slave cylinder has failed and given how the clutch slipped when limping to a garage in Roma I suspect that a fair amount of fluid ended up in th bell housing on the clutch plate.

I suspect that both the slave and master cylinders will need replacing (or at least it will be wise to do so as in the 3 years and 65,000km I have owned her they have not been touched).

My question is - Do I need to replace the clutch plate? Will the fluid have damaged it? It is ~18 months and ~20,000km old.

Many thanks

John

[JDNSW]

Slippage was probably due to the slave cylinder being jammed with the clutch partly disengaged. It is very unlikely, in my experience, that any significant quantity will have gone onto the clutch plate.

However, you need to consider the possibility that the actual failure is that the clutch fork has failed (pivot punched through pressing), resulting in the slave cylinder moving too far, hence the fluid loss. This is not uncommon on some models (not sure which ones). You should be able to check this with a torch and possibly a mirror with the slave cylinder out. If this is what happened, it is a gearbox out job, and unless the clutch plate is in near perfect shape, a replacement would make sense. (same for the thrust bearing, pressure plate and flywheel bush)

John

[Leyland1980]

However, you need to consider the possibility that the actual failure is that the clutch fork has failed (pivot punched through pressing)

I was under the impression that the pressed forks had been replaced with a cast component in the TD5 so this was not such an issue. Am I right?

[JDNSW]

I was under the impression that the pressed forks had been replaced with a cast component in the TD5 so this was not such an issue. Am I right?

I think you are right - sorry, didn't note that you had the model quoted. There is always the possibility of the plastic thrust bearing carrier failing with similar results, although I have never seen this. In any case, if the pushrod is in its normal position, where it is easily engaged with the slave cylinder as it is offered up, I think you can be reasonably certain that there are no problems inside the bell housing.

John

[Chenz]

Yesterday on the way back to Brisbane from Carnarvon Gorge the clutch on my 2004 defender TD5 110 failed. No pressure on the pedal and absolutely no affect when depressed and a fair amount of fluid on the exhaust.

It appears that the slave cylinder has failed and given how the clutch slipped when limping to a garage in Roma I suspect that a fair amount of fluid ended up in th bell housing on the clutch plate.

I suspect that both the slave and master cylinders will need replacing (or at least it will be wise to do so as in the 3 years and 65,000km I have owned her they have not been touched).

My question is - Do I need to replace the clutch plate? Will the fluid have damaged it? It is ~18 months and ~20,000km old.

Many thanks

John

If you are going to replace the master and slave cylinders, I would suggest you also change the fexible hose from the fluid line to the slave cylinder. This can blow out and reduce the amount of pressure you get to the clutch. A small additional price to have peace of mind

[jimr1]

Hi it must be a week for TD5 clutch problems , If it were me in your position I would replace the slave cylinder only. It's not oftern brake /clutch fluid gets on to the clutch plate . If you do then have a clutch look at your options when you get home ...regards jimr1 ..

[Leyland1980]

Hi it must be a week for TD5 clutch problems , If it were me in your position I would replace the slave cylinder only. It's not oftern brake /clutch fluid gets on to the clutch plate . If you do then have a clutch look at your options when you get home ...regards jimr1 ..

Should have said that the vehicle has been recovered and what is being done now is a long term remedy not just a fix to mobilise her.

I guess that even if fluid did get on the plat it will dry off over time.

Cheers

John

[jimr1]

Hi John , pleased to hear your getting your clutch problems fixed . regards jimr1 ..