New but still very heavy clutch
 

Hi, I recently purchased a 2004 Contemporary CDTi from a member on this forum and have been over-joyed with the car, spec and mpg. It had a very heavy clutch when I purchased it and having read the forum posts took the advice that due to the mileage been around 127k a new clutch, slave and master cylinder would solve this issue. £250 spent on these parts from a reputable Rover/MG dealer and £500 to fit and the problem is almost exactly the same, excessively heavy. I also now have a rumble when depressing the clutch which my mechanic (whom I trust) advises that it is the pipework going through the bulkhead causing the noise and the heaviness is due to the pipe sizes.

Also the cruise control no longer works. I'm a petrol head (I appreciate it's a diesel :-)) and researched a lot before setting my mind on the car. As I said, I'm really pleased with it but this issue is totally ruining my enjoyment.

Any advice would be really appreciated, thanks!

Cruise control is an easy one - there is a switch on top of the clutch pedal. Push the pedal down and then push the switch down and slowly release the pedal and that should reset it.

Have you compared the clutch action on your car with other 75s?

That was probably due to the clutch change and just needs reseating as Mike suggested, seen that happen a few times, disagree about the clutch being heavy due to the pipe work, mine is quite light since the clutch change, and others I’ve done with my colleague Neil have also felt lighter after a change using Borg and beck clutch and Luk slaves.
I wonder if bleeding the system completely might help, even though I’d expect he bleed it fully once it was replaced to remove any old contaminates
Mick

Personally I found the clutch pretty heavy on my CDTi. My wife would complain about it all the time to the point that I am now looking for another 75 and considering auto only. My car was 2005 and had done around 60k miles.

What master and slave were employed? were they for example these items?


https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/uaMAA...Jk/s-l1600.jpg


Where a metal slave cylinder and especially when used in conjunction with this master cylinder, the clutch action will be heavier than that of using the standard components.

In any event there should be no noise from a new clutch unless it's faulty or has been damaged during installation.

Brian :D

I will be in the costwolds in a few days, if you would like a hand with the cruise control pm me today with your area and i'll see what I can do.

macafee2

Perhaps OP ought to re-read their post? I've selectively quoted to make it easier. or perhaps a summary?

1. Bad clutch
2. £750 replace clutch, master and slave
3. Still Bad clutch
4. Trusts mechanic ???????

Who else thinks that there's something wrong with the above sequence?

Thank you for all the constructive suggestions. The items fitted were as per add:
This is a brand new 4 Piece Clutch Kit.
Includes CIS Clutch plates
Both Slave & Master cylinder are all metal uprated MG Rover versions a superior product to the original design.

I will have another chat with my mechanic about bleeding the system again.

And hopefully the cruise control will be an easy fix(if such a thing exists!?!) I'll update on any successes!

Many thanks
Martin

Hi Martin
Cis clutches are made near me in Kent, they are in no way superior to Luk or Borg and Beck, along with the metal cylinders, I’d stick with Luk ALLDAY LONG I’ve done a fair few and wouldn’t fit any metal master as they have had numerous issues.
Why anybody fitted a CIS clutch when they wasn’t OEM I don’t know, I think your mechanic doesn’t have a great knowledge base of the 75/ZT range or M47R engine.
Mick

So THESE were the fitted components then?

Quoting the seller's spiel

"Both Slave & Master cylinder are all metal uprated MG Rover versions a superior product to the original design"

I would have to disagree with this statement by the seller, these parts are not fit for purpose.

I have to say something now Martin, bleeding the clutch will make no difference whatsoever to the heaviness, it is purely down to the choice of materials employed.

You have a couple of choices, either put up with the clutch the way it currently is, i.e. noisy and heavy (noisy due to faulty thrust bearing), or replace the clutch with an LUK Repset Pro along with an LUK master cylinder.

The latter if fitted correctly will result in a light clutch which will last for at least 100000 miles if driven with mechanical sympathy.

I bought a car from a local member with one of these "uprated metal cylinder" clutches fitted, it was replaced in short order with a LUK kit.

Brian :D