Sticky Clutch Pedal (S1)

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:14 pm

Coming over the Cairn o' Mount road on Sunday, I could feel my clutch pedal was getting a little sticky when full depressed. Sure enough when I tried it on the straight and held it down, it did not release. I had to stick my toe under it to lever it back up. I worked it a couple of times and it hasn't stuck since, but it still feels a little stiff when fully depressed. It also doesn't fully return by about 4mm to the stop.

The clutch operation is unaffected so there doesn't seem to be any danger.

It definitely feels like something rubbery is doing the sticking as oppose to a metallic feeling.

I had a look at the service manual to see how it is put together and at a guess I think it may be that the secondary seal is chewed up (see below in diagram). There is no sign of any fluid leaking at the pushrod.

Is this likely? If not any suggestions as to what it might be and whether to leave or fix immediately.

Cheers

Stewart

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:20 pm

It's more likely the pedal needing some "dry slide" lubricant from a gun shop

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 10:49 pm

Where do you apply the lubricant? It only feels really sticky when it is fully depressed.

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:05 pm

Post by **campbell** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:15 pm

Lawrence is on the money as ever.

Mine started squeaking, and recently also didn't release properly on one occasion. Thought I had red clutch hose syndrome, but can't cos I have a 99 MY car!

Then I remembered that the pivot bearing thingy in Lawrence's diagram ("trunion", I think?) needs a bit of lube.

Sprayed some GT85 graphite-based bike lube into both sides via the wee straw adapter things you get, and hey presto.

But you will need to keep an eye on it, rumour has it this remains the beginning of the end and some new bits will eventually be needed. And not the nicest place to have to work on a strip-down!!!

Campbell

tut · Post by **tut** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 11:20 pm

Lawrence

Also lubrication on the nylon top hat bushes in the fulcrum at 6. This however causes creaking and stiction and comes on gradually, so probably different symptoms.

Had to do mine yesterday, but it will probably follow the path of N1 TUT that really needs new ones.

tut

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:34 am

Don't think you should be using graphite based anything on an alloy car. Better off with a silicone lubricant.

Mac

Post by **campbell** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:14 am

Why's that then? I thought GT85 was broadly the same as dry slide. Time to re-educate then...

mac · Post by **mac** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:50 am

I'm sure woody would be better placed to comment but I read an article on Blatchat about FAA regulations - it's something to do with the graphite giving a better path for corrosion due to dis-similar metals.

Mac

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:59 am

mac wrote:Don't think you should be using graphite based anything on an alloy car. Better off with a silicone lubricant.

Mac

Who mentioned graphite?

In this instance any silicone grease will collect dust and turn into an abrasive, which is why a dry lube is required

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:01 am

Lawrence wrote: Who mentioned graphite?

Campbell

campbell wrote: Sprayed some GT85 graphite-based bike lube into both sides via the wee straw adapter things you get, and hey presto.

Campbell

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:04 am

Mine stuck fast but it was clutch release fork end and required the box off.... (Thanks to AA partrs and labour it only cost £25...!)

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:16 am

MacK wrote:
Lawrence wrote: Who mentioned graphite?
Campbell

campbell wrote: Sprayed some GT85 graphite-based bike lube into both sides via the wee straw adapter things you get, and hey presto.

Campbell

indeed

Post by **campbell** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:04 am

Lawrence wrote:
MacK wrote:
Lawrence wrote: Who mentioned graphite?
Campbell

campbell wrote: Sprayed some GT85 graphite-based bike lube into both sides via the wee straw adapter things you get, and hey presto.

Campbell

indeed

Well I've laboured under the potentially incorrect assumption that my can of GT85 is very like dry-slide. If not, then I had better get myself into a gunsmith's, handn't I.

GregR · Post by **GregR** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:15 am

Don't worry about GT85, its actually teflon (Poly-tetra-flouro-ethene)based not graphite

Whatever you do, do not use WD40