stiff clutch

alan williams · 10th November 2007, 13:44

Hi I just bought a 75 connoisseur cdt se with 112k.on the clock the car is spot on but I feel the clutch pedal seems quite hard to push down is this normal and is there a way of checking it Cheers agw.

Paranoid Carlos · 10th November 2007, 15:38

I think most are, mine certainly is and over the last year I've had 5 clutches fitted, but we won't go there

Whoops started twitching again.......

Keith · 10th November 2007, 20:15

I Just fitted a new clutch to a Tourer with 140K on the clock it is now much much lighter than they one I have in my Saloon

It is really nice in operation as well!

alan williams · 11th November 2007, 09:31

Thanks for the info I have been driving an auto and a probe for 4 years and maybe my left leg has gone weak Cheers agw.

Frobs · 12th November 2007, 14:11

Hi all,

I'm not in the owners club just yet, as I am looking to buy a ZT-T 135 diesel as soon as I find the right one.

But have I noted that the clutch seems a weakness. So I had a word with a mate who had a V6 Petrol MG for a few years. He loved the car, (having come from an Impreza, that was slightly suprising - he loved that car in a big way) - and he drove both in a "spirited" manor.

He suggested a new clutch could cost about a grand, and that he sold his MG before the warranty ran out because of his concern about the clutch. He said that he thought the clutch was generally under-specified. But he also said that he had heard that freelander clutch could be made to fit, and that would last a lot better - dont know how stiff they are mind. Anyone heard of that ?

Also, what if I could borrow a fully fitted workshop, with ramps + the help of a mate to change the clutch DIY. What do the parts cost ?

And also, what does a timing belt change cost.

Frobs

Keith · 12th November 2007, 14:22

Depending on what needs replacing, diy you can do a clutch for £80 tops -
New clutch plate plus top up of gearbox oil
pretty much what a clutch specialist will do

Or you can overdo it like I have just done with my last project and fit a replacement clutch, DMF, pressure plate and slave cylinder and renew all bolts that should be replaced and then sell the whole thing at a loss on ebay

I would have made more money breaking it for parts

Frobs · 12th November 2007, 14:39

I just called Mr CLutch in Bristol, (who I have found are very good) They quote worst case up to £1300. That includes your whole list - ie the clutch, hyraulics (master and slave) and flywheel + taking half the car apart and putting back together.

But he did say that typically the DMF doesnt need doing, and you are looking at a typical cost of about £800. Which he says is not much more that a lot of the later versions of a lot of cars. They did a clutch on a performance Nissan last week and it cost over £1800 - soemthing of a record !!! The good thing about Mr Clutch is they do a good warranty - most are not worth the paper they are written on !!

If I was in the market for a 75 Tourer - I'd have been interested in yours.... and maybe youd have got £100 over reserve!!

Frobs

Just a thought - do the auto's have any reliability issues ? Who makes em ? - I suppose its ZF, Jatco or Getrag

10th November 2007, 13:44	#1
alan williams Regular poster mgzt190 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: anglesey Posts: 62 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	stiff clutch Hi I just bought a 75 connoisseur cdt se with 112k.on the clock the car is spot on but I feel the clutch pedal seems quite hard to push down is this normal and is there a way of checking it Cheers agw.

10th November 2007, 15:38	#2
Paranoid Carlos Posted a thing or two Starlight CDT Conn SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Erdington, Birmingham Posts: 1,057 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I think most are, mine certainly is and over the last year I've had 5 clutches fitted, but we won't go there Whoops started twitching again....... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

11th November 2007, 09:31	#4
alan williams Regular poster mgzt190 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: anglesey Posts: 62 Thanks: 2 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	clutch Thanks for the info I have been driving an auto and a probe for 4 years and maybe my left leg has gone weak Cheers agw.

10th November 2007, 20:15	#3
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	I Just fitted a new clutch to a Tourer with 140K on the clock it is now much much lighter than they one I have in my Saloon It is really nice in operation as well!

12th November 2007, 14:11	#5
Frobs Avid contributor MG ZT-T Cdti+135 Gunmetal Grey Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chippenham, Wilts Posts: 122 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi all, I'm not in the owners club just yet, as I am looking to buy a ZT-T 135 diesel as soon as I find the right one. But have I noted that the clutch seems a weakness. So I had a word with a mate who had a V6 Petrol MG for a few years. He loved the car, (having come from an Impreza, that was slightly suprising - he loved that car in a big way) - and he drove both in a "spirited" manor. He suggested a new clutch could cost about a grand, and that he sold his MG before the warranty ran out because of his concern about the clutch. He said that he thought the clutch was generally under-specified. But he also said that he had heard that freelander clutch could be made to fit, and that would last a lot better - dont know how stiff they are mind. Anyone heard of that ? Also, what if I could borrow a fully fitted workshop, with ramps + the help of a mate to change the clutch DIY. What do the parts cost ? And also, what does a timing belt change cost. Frobs

12th November 2007, 14:22	#6
Keith This is my second home ZT400 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ellesmere Posts: 5,948 Thanks: 0 Thanked 43 Times in 29 Posts	Depending on what needs replacing, diy you can do a clutch for £80 tops - New clutch plate plus top up of gearbox oil pretty much what a clutch specialist will do Or you can overdo it like I have just done with my last project and fit a replacement clutch, DMF, pressure plate and slave cylinder and renew all bolts that should be replaced and then sell the whole thing at a loss on ebay I would have made more money breaking it for parts

12th November 2007, 14:39	#7
Frobs Avid contributor MG ZT-T Cdti+135 Gunmetal Grey Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chippenham, Wilts Posts: 122 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I just called Mr CLutch in Bristol, (who I have found are very good) They quote worst case up to £1300. That includes your whole list - ie the clutch, hyraulics (master and slave) and flywheel + taking half the car apart and putting back together. But he did say that typically the DMF doesnt need doing, and you are looking at a typical cost of about £800. Which he says is not much more that a lot of the later versions of a lot of cars. They did a clutch on a performance Nissan last week and it cost over £1800 - soemthing of a record !!! The good thing about Mr Clutch is they do a good warranty - most are not worth the paper they are written on !! If I was in the market for a 75 Tourer - I'd have been interested in yours.... and maybe youd have got £100 over reserve!! Frobs Just a thought - do the auto's have any reliability issues ? Who makes em ? - I suppose its ZF, Jatco or Getrag