Cannot get into gear - clutch / pedal problem?

[Greylensman]

Hi - hope someone out there can help.

I cannot say that I've noticed any problems with the clutch in my T2 (2003 - 2.7tdi - 32,000miles) over the last few weeks - no clutch slip for instance but if I'm really picky perhaps the bite point could have been further down than it used to be.

Last Friday I got to the bottom of my street and had difficulty getting into 1st to turn left, no gear crunching it just would not go in. Then it went into 1st and I drove 7miles to work OK.

Went to drive home at the end of Friday and could not get a gear - got some crunching! (left the T2 at work and got a lift home)

Went back to work today and had a good look.

Gears select without the engine running - cannot select gears when engine running and clutch pedal to the floor. (no gear crunching - I cannot even push the gear lever in)

Clutch slave cylinder looks to be working and is pushing the base of the clutch lever arm/release arm (didn't measure the stroke length though, but guessing about 20mm) - no fluid leaking.

Clutch master cylinder not leaking - reservoir full and a few millimeters of fluid movement when the pedal if pushed.

I've checked the clutch pedal height from the carpet to the top of the pedal (not as shown in the manual from the melt sheet since I couldn't get the carpet up) and there is a lot of difference between my measurements and the manual.

Manual pedal height - 210mm to 220mm --- mine 180mm
Manual stroke length - 155mm to 160mm --- mine 140mm

Even allowing for some error there seems to be something wrong - and the clutch pedal is only slightly higher than the brake pedal (shouldn't it be quite a bit higher?)

Any ideas? (I cannot believe that its the gearbox or the clutch - but what could the problem be?)

Anyone know of a good garage in the Yardley area of Birmingham that I can use?

Many thanks.

 

[AD Ent]

Selector or the bush on bottom end of stick... off the top of my head.... some one will be along who has come across this before.

 

[Lazy-Ferret]

Have you tried lifting the pedal up?

When mine was having all the clutch pedal/cylinder trouble, if the pedal did not return to the top properly (frequently), then when the engine/gearbox is cold, it wouldn't let me select a gear, flick the pedal up with my toe, and re-press it down, problem solved.

 

[laurieash]

Give it a bleed first:thumb2

 

[jims-terrano]

With a helper pressing pedal check the rubber flexi hose near the slave cyl, the walls of the hose can weaken so the hose swells when pedal pressed. Also again on the flexi hose there is a block of metal where the pipes connect. There is a damper pipe that runs from the block to above the rear axle, this has a bleed valve above axle and also this pipe corodes and leaks too.

Have you thought it may well be the clutch that has gone? I've had mine go twice in the 11 years I've owned it. It doesn't just wear out and slip but the friction plate shears appart. This gives the same effect as what you have.

 

[swaggy]

Had exactly the same symptoms on my T2 before Christmas - suddenly unable to get into any gear with engine running (no crunching) but engaged OK with engine stopped. Started and drove just fine in one gear (no slipping). No noise either.

Changed slave cylinder - no difference. Turned out the centre of the clutch friction plate had come away (only 50,000 miles). Looks as though some of the mounting welds had broken. Right mess it was !

Hope thats not your problem.



--------------------
Terrano 2.7 TDi LWB Sport 2001

 

[glanrichbex]

Mine had this problem a year ago - it turned out to be the ( fork - I think that's what it's called ) the bit which the slave cylinder pushes against and it pushes against the thrust bearing inside the box. The part was £70 ..... but the bill for stripping it all down and fitting a brand new clutch as well was slightly higher.

 

[96terrano]

Aye, fighting with the gearbox will just mangle it:doh it check the clutch system then chek the buch in the gearbox, it lives on the bottom of the gear leaver.

 

[glanrichbex]

Thinking about it - this is what probably wrecked my gearbox :doh

 

[solarman216]

Thinking about it - this is what probably wrecked my gearbox :doh

do not think a clutch can wreck your box, Rick

 

[melissachels]

check this as mine had no slip, but biting point was really low without the pedal being low, could only change gear by either turning off the car & starting in gear or rev changing
http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums...o stuff/Terranoclutchadjuster_zps0ad15a59.jpg

also check flexi, master & slave cylinder & dampner pipe :thumb2

 

[96terrano]

Thinking about it - this is what probably wrecked my gearbox :doh

If you've been fighting with it then probably, if its not going into gear there's a reason....could be as simple as the synchro teeth not lining up properly, ' simply go into neutral lift foot off clutch, then try again' or it could be clutch related. It's not worth destroying a gearbox only to find it was just the clutch:doh. Also, the right oil is important, I done a vid on YouTube 'see in my links' about using the right oil:thumb2

 

[glanrichbex]

do not think a clutch can wreck your box, Rick

If the clutch ain't working properly and it's grinding going into gear - it will wreck the box.

 

[96terrano]

If the clutch ain't working properly and it's grinding going into gear - it will wreck the box.

exactly :thumb2

 

[96terrano]

this it what happens when you grind youre gears,

 

[terranobreakershropshire]

its most likely that you have lost fluid or got air lock. try bleeding all and check for leaks. inc all pipes, master and slave. as said check flexi isnt 'ballooning'. failing this its a bigger job such as nackered clutch or damaged release fork. i wouldnt worry too much about specs on measurements as all are different or have been messed with in the past. just make sure there is plenty of travel on the release fork.

 

[laurieash]

Give it a bleed first:thumb2

Or try double d clutching. if that works just needs bleeding.

 

[solarman216]

If the clutch ain't working properly and it's grinding going into gear - it will wreck the box.

Er do not think so, it is not the clutch that will wreak the box it will be the driver,:augie, Rick

 

[96terrano]

Er do not think so, it is not the clutch that will wreak the box it will be the driver,:augie, Rick

technically yes, as the more pressure you put against the leaver, the more harder the gears will grind against each other, causing more damage

 

[solarman216]

technically yes, as the more pressure you put against the leaver, the more harder the gears will grind against each other, causing more damage

Erm only in reverse all the others have syncro cones, Rick