Clutch problem

[ribs99]

On my wifes 206cc the clutch is like 90% nothing and then bang 10% everything at the top of the pedal. She has got used to it now but I'm just wondering if this is definitely the clutch being at the end of its useful life or a hydraulics problem.

Also there is a wining when the engine is idle and the clutch pedal is up, this goes away when the pedal is pressed down. Is this the thrust bearing on its last legs?

It's a 2005 1.6 petrol.

[tenpole]

I would say clutch.

[Capncol]

So would I.

[tenpole]

Expect to pay around £300 for new clutch and fitting.

[Slo]

Christ I got a refurbished clutch for mine and it was £25 delivered off ebay and I fitted it myself so total cost £25 lots of swearing and a few lost knuckles

[IanL]

...Also there is a wining when the engine is idle and the clutch pedal is up, this goes away when the pedal is pressed down. Is this the thrust bearing on its last legs?

The clutch release bearing is called into play when the clutch pedal is depressed. When it is released it just idles. The time to worry is when you hear noise when the pedal is depressed. I have a Suzuki with exactly what you describe. It's been like that for 10 years or more with no issues.

[ribs99]

Oops forgot to reply. I changed the clutch and thrust bearing and the car is now great. Hill starts are now no longer a problem and the clutch pedal is so much smoother.

Job was fairly straight-forward, had trouble getting the gearbox back in on my own until I used ratchet straps over the rafters in the garage, slid straight in.

Couple of points:

You need a 35mm socket to remove the driveshaft nuts
You need some MOLYBDENUM DISULPHIDE to grease the bearing
You need to empty the gearbox of oil so you need to have replacement oil to refill it afterwards
Getting the lower suspension arms out of the swivel hub is very hard, I had to use a ball joint splitter so needed two new rubber boots as the originals split

The starter motor has to be removed
BOTH driveshafts must be removed (the left one is a pain)
There aren't that many bolts holding the gearbox to the engine, it's just some are torx and some hexagon and some are really hard to get to

It took me nearly all day to do but I could easily do it again it 4 hours now I know what needs to come out.

PS. I bought a the clutch from Euro Car Parts, it was a Valeo and cost about £60 delivered which included a black Friday discount. It included the clutch, bearing and alignment tool

[tenpole]

I got fed up taking starter motor off let alone dropping a gearbox out. I thought you had to drop the engine out.