general CLUTCH BITE point question

clivvy · 15-10-2010, 12:03

guys, need advise!

going to view a car today, guy says clutch bite is low, but doesnt slip. I know a little, but i thought a low clutch bite WASNT a faulty clutch, but more likely soemthign else such as air in the system or soemthign liek that...can you guys clarify? Its a V6 Mazda 323, no idea if its hydraulic or not, i dont think it is....

briggie · 15-10-2010, 12:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by clivvy

guys, need advise!

going to view a car today, guy says clutch bite is low, but doesnt slip. I know a little, but i thought a low clutch bite WASNT a faulty clutch, but more likely soemthign else such as air in the system or soemthign liek that...can you guys clarify? Its a V6 Mazda 323, no idea if its hydraulic or not, i dont think it is....

he might mean the biting point of the clutch is low down on the pedal which means its a good clutch

Terranosaurus · 15-10-2010, 12:36

Where a clutch bites is no indication at all on the condition of the clutch it just shows the actuation mechanism is or isn't well adjusted or even in bent/bad condition etc.

danielj · 15-10-2010, 12:42

I thought that low clutch bite was related to less pressure / resistance at the clutch pressure plates because of wear.

Terranosaurus · 15-10-2010, 12:55

A worn clutch will have a biting point very near the top as it would take next to no force to release the small pressure on it. But a biting point near the top is more often an over tight cable or one thats just adjusted up one click to take up the cable stretch etc.

Where a clutch bites COULD be an indication of what condition it is in but it COULD also be an indication as to the adjustment of the cable/fluid system so you can't make a diagnosis based on where it bites.

clivvy · 15-10-2010, 13:02

thanks guys. it coudl indeed be adjustment, or the fluid, or a leak could be anything. all i can do is inspect the master cylinder for leaks, and check the bite myself. i do believe a low bit isnt "wear", as in the clutch is about to go, but it IS something to to be checked, it may just be adjustment, so long as the pedal itself is ok, just need to check the cable and cylinder i think, thats what ive been told on the Mazda club...

i dunno, theres always risk when buying a car, but the worst case scanrio isnt the end of the world, its simpley new clutch and or master cylinder or fresh fluid, and at the price i will be paying for the car, its not a bad do.

fingers crossed!!

danielj · 15-10-2010, 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terranosaurus

A worn clutch will have a biting point very near the top as it would take next to no force to release the small pressure on it. But a biting point near the top is more often an over tight cable or one thats just adjusted up one click to take up the cable stretch etc.

Where a clutch bites COULD be an indication of what condition it is in but it COULD also be an indication as to the adjustment of the cable/fluid system so you can't make a diagnosis based on where it bites.

Good information to know. Thanks for the clarification Terranosaurus.
Best of luck with the car clivvy.

Muckypup · 15-10-2010, 15:50

If its a hydraulic clutch and there is a leak no matter how slight you'll find if you keep the clutch pedal depressed the pressure will fall and the clutch will start to bite as it comes together and will set off down the road with the pedal still down! My old BMW did it when the master cylinder was buggered, bit scary having to throw it into neutral all the time at the lights

clivvy · 15-10-2010, 20:51

well, JUST got back! flippin...out since 430pm i think it was. only flipping 25 mile away but took an age to get there, wasin the middle of nowhere, and took not too long to get back.

anyway, quick low down goes like this, car was generlaly ok, it was what it was-a run about. It had badly faded body work, rpeaired body work, rust on the arches, rust on the sun roof area (badly painted over), missing button for fan control, air con didnt work, drivers window was wobbly, windows were scratched you get my drift. Clutch was literally 2 inch from the floor-something was not right and THATS more work and money. Cambelt due in approx 4k miles. Car went well, but had a lot of smoke, even from cold, i know its not a great sign if it isnt dissipating quick, but thats no big deal, breaks were superb, and the handling, as ever in a mazda, was superb. The positives were too few, and the negatives were too many.

The advert built the car up to be better than it was, so i expected better than i got, so even though it was only £694, it wasnt worth it. shame.

on the plus side, the Maverick got an awesome drive out, just short of 70 mile round trip, but the trip there was over the tops to Stockport so VERY steep hills and windy roads, and the trip back was motorway. i am REALLY chuffed. bit slow up the hills BUT i didnt dare put my foot down. Motorway was excellent, again i didnt dare put my foot down, but kept a good steady 60/70mph all the way home. Bit of vibration at 65, but im pretty sure my tracking needs doing so no big deal!

11redrex · 15-10-2010, 22:13

Vibrations mean tyres need balancing. Tracking makes it go one way or the other.

clivvy · 16-10-2010, 08:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11redrex

Vibrations mean tyres need balancing. Tracking makes it go one way or the other.

ah ha! thats right matey thanks, I knew it was one or the other!!!

15-10-2010, 12:03	#1
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	general CLUTCH BITE point question guys, need advise! going to view a car today, guy says clutch bite is low, but doesnt slip. I know a little, but i thought a low clutch bite WASNT a faulty clutch, but more likely soemthign else such as air in the system or soemthign liek that...can you guys clarify? Its a V6 Mazda 323, no idea if its hydraulic or not, i dont think it is....

15-10-2010, 12:36	#3
Terranosaurus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: YORKSHIRE Vehicle: 2001 2.7 TDi T2 SWB Posts: 4,077	Where a clutch bites is no indication at all on the condition of the clutch it just shows the actuation mechanism is or isn't well adjusted or even in bent/bad condition etc.

15-10-2010, 12:42	#4
danielj Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Ireland Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDI 03 LWB Posts: 695	I thought that low clutch bite was related to less pressure / resistance at the clutch pressure plates because of wear.

15-10-2010, 12:55	#5
Terranosaurus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: YORKSHIRE Vehicle: 2001 2.7 TDi T2 SWB Posts: 4,077	A worn clutch will have a biting point very near the top as it would take next to no force to release the small pressure on it. But a biting point near the top is more often an over tight cable or one thats just adjusted up one click to take up the cable stretch etc. Where a clutch bites COULD be an indication of what condition it is in but it COULD also be an indication as to the adjustment of the cable/fluid system so you can't make a diagnosis based on where it bites.

15-10-2010, 13:02	#6
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	thanks guys. it coudl indeed be adjustment, or the fluid, or a leak could be anything. all i can do is inspect the master cylinder for leaks, and check the bite myself. i do believe a low bit isnt "wear", as in the clutch is about to go, but it IS something to to be checked, it may just be adjustment, so long as the pedal itself is ok, just need to check the cable and cylinder i think, thats what ive been told on the Mazda club... i dunno, theres always risk when buying a car, but the worst case scanrio isnt the end of the world, its simpley new clutch and or master cylinder or fresh fluid, and at the price i will be paying for the car, its not a bad do. fingers crossed!!

15-10-2010, 15:50	#8
Muckypup Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Lancs Vehicle: Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 Posts: 485	If its a hydraulic clutch and there is a leak no matter how slight you'll find if you keep the clutch pedal depressed the pressure will fall and the clutch will start to bite as it comes together and will set off down the road with the pedal still down! My old BMW did it when the master cylinder was buggered, bit scary having to throw it into neutral all the time at the lights

15-10-2010, 20:51	#9
clivvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Huddersfield Vehicle: Terrano 03 LWB Posts: 6,947	well, JUST got back! flippin...out since 430pm i think it was. only flipping 25 mile away but took an age to get there, wasin the middle of nowhere, and took not too long to get back. anyway, quick low down goes like this, car was generlaly ok, it was what it was-a run about. It had badly faded body work, rpeaired body work, rust on the arches, rust on the sun roof area (badly painted over), missing button for fan control, air con didnt work, drivers window was wobbly, windows were scratched you get my drift. Clutch was literally 2 inch from the floor-something was not right and THATS more work and money. Cambelt due in approx 4k miles. Car went well, but had a lot of smoke, even from cold, i know its not a great sign if it isnt dissipating quick, but thats no big deal, breaks were superb, and the handling, as ever in a mazda, was superb. The positives were too few, and the negatives were too many. The advert built the car up to be better than it was, so i expected better than i got, so even though it was only £694, it wasnt worth it. shame. on the plus side, the Maverick got an awesome drive out, just short of 70 mile round trip, but the trip there was over the tops to Stockport so VERY steep hills and windy roads, and the trip back was motorway. i am REALLY chuffed. bit slow up the hills BUT i didnt dare put my foot down. Motorway was excellent, again i didnt dare put my foot down, but kept a good steady 60/70mph all the way home. Bit of vibration at 65, but im pretty sure my tracking needs doing so no big deal!

15-10-2010, 22:13	#10
11redrex Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: East Anglia. Buh. Vehicle: 1997 LWB Maverick 2.7TDi Posts: 1,377	Vibrations mean tyres need balancing. Tracking makes it go one way or the other.