Stiff clutch - smooth changes impossible

**Omaroo** · 20th February 2006, 11:33 AM

Hey there all

After picking up our '00 110 TD5 a couple of weeks ago, the clutch was found to be really stiff, and I was hoping that it might free up after doing some long miles. The vehicle had been garaged for months at the time I bought it. Well... after some pretty big miles over the past two weeks it's still very stiff.

The clutch pedal depresses relatively easily, but after you engage (say) first gear at the lights and start to release the pedal - it binds on the upstroke. It kind of has an "eek..eek..eek..eek' rubbery feel to it as it comes up from the floor. It's almost impossible to release in one easy fluid movement.

Is this (if you can understand my description of the problem) normal? It makes smooth changing almost impossible - and nearly every time I change gear the lack of pedal feel makes me release the clutch too quickly - so that a "clunk" comes out of the driveline somewhere. I'm hoping that it's something I can lubricate or replace easily. Are these usually symptoms of a stoofed clutch master or slave? Do the pedal bearings bind?

Cheers and thanks for any help
Chris

**cewilson** · 20th February 2006, 04:55 PM

I'm gonna ask the silly question first before delving too deep. :?

The clutch pedal itself isn't fouling on any of the rubber etc when you apply it by any chance??? Sometimes this has occurred with the pedal usually feeling like it's sticking in places, that's all!

And the clunk - typical driveline slack for a Defender! :wink:

You should hear mine!

**rick130** · 20th February 2006, 05:35 PM

the whole pedal assembly can be removed and the pivot bushes cleaned and re-greased. I'd recommend a good moly fortified grease. This can smooth the pedal release action markedly.

**Redback** · 20th February 2006, 06:10 PM

Your driving a mans 4WD now mate, not one of those girly bloody jap things

Sorry Chris, just kidding, it shouldn't be that stiff, being that it's the same box and transfer case as my Disco, they are stiffer than your average jap 4B but not much stiffer from memory, the short couple of drives i've had of the TD5 Fender it was about the same as my Disco.

But having only driven manuals all my life, i might be just used to using a clutch.

What your describing doesn't sound normal.

Baz.

**abaddonxi** · 20th February 2006, 08:33 PM

I've had all kinds of squeaks and grabs with the clutch on the 130 at the moment I'm thinking it's the clutch pedal return spring that is the culprit and if I can be bothered either pull it out and wash the dust out, or replace it; it looks a little bent.

Hope on, eh.

When I first got the 130 I noticed similar problems - stickiness, difficulty finding engage point, grabby.

I changed the clutch fluid and found that made a big difference.

Also, oh the shame,

ops:

changed my clutch action.

Went from lifting whole foot to using heel as a pivot.

Made it easier to soften the transmission clunk.

Check your transfer case for leaks, there's no shortage of talk about transfer case lubrication problems.

Cheers,
Simon

**Omaroo** · 20th February 2006, 09:44 PM

Thanks for all the input fellas

Yup - I'll give the pedal assembly a good going over with the lubricants and check that the return spring looks and feels OK.

Chris - There's a lot of rubber mats and stuff down there - so your suggestion isn't too wild either.

Baz - I've driven manuals for only the last 27 years. The Jeep is the first auto 4WD I've ever had. I have to say that I really like a 6-speed ultra-smooth auto off road. All except the really steep downy-type-bits.

Thanks all

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