Roomster serviced yesterday at supplying franchise dealer. On leaving car I pointed out that there was squeaking noise during clutch pedal movement which appeared to originate from clutch end of engine rather than the pedal.
No direct comment on, or remedy for, the squeak. I'd hoped a shot of lubricant on external mechanism might sort it!! Instead car was returned with comment that 'clutch is very heavy and requires replacement'. Quote to do so is £753.72.
Even my weakened left hip has no problem whatever operating it and it's no heavier than Berlingo (and a lot lighter than either BX when clutch was wearing). No slip at all and bite point is where I expect it to be. Plates clear properly so there's no baulked changes as experienced with previous Berlingo when it's clutch went from OK to release bearing failed in 2 or 3 miles.
Inclination is to live with it.
What form of wear is heavy clutch a symptom of and what might be failure mode/consequences?
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The biggest risk is for your wallet and the 6 month wait for orthopaedic surgery -
When you drive a manual transmission your left leg and right arm end up doing a lot of work while the left arm and right leg tend to be more stationary with small repetitive movements. The left leg is often in an active position with the foot hyper flexed or extended to operate the clutch which creates tension all the way up through the hip. This can cause major imbalances in the muscles that attach to the knee such as a tight tibialis anterior as well as the outer edge of the gastrocnemius. We have a lot of muscles attaching at the knee and if they get tight it can pull everything out of alignment causing you to feel pain. For me it presents itself on both the inner and outer edges, the back of my left knee as well as the outer edge of my left foot. (Guess which side of the Atlantic this came from, where your bank balance is checked before medical diagnosis).
Have you compared the clutch operation on other similar vehicles to determine whether it is just a Skoda feature - or yours is on its way out? How many miles and engine size and year may elucidate some helpful comments.l
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To clarify it's a 2011/11 reg and a 1.6 TDi90 with 81k miles. No comparison with other VAG products with same engine, just my own previous experience on predominantly PSA products.
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Cable or hydraulic clutch operation?
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Peugeot 306s suffered from regular stiff clutch problems due to the cable running near the exhaust manifold and 'drying out'. Cable replacement and all good until it starts to show the same symptoms.
Daughters Kia Picanto has what I would describe as a 'notchy' clutch pedal. Ive replaced the cable with no improvement. So it could be the pressure plate or the plastic bushes the release arm pivot runs in. Either way it would be a gearbox out job. The components are relatively cheap its the labour extracting the box that costs.
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>> Cable or hydraulic clutch operation?
Not checked on my car but all 'net evidence is it's hydraulic:
tinyurl.com/mchh6mf
Took some effort to convince breakdown operative attending prvious Berlingo on clutch failure that it was cable
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Fri 17 Mar 17 at 20:54
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If the clutch operates normally, the gears change without baulking and the biting point is not on the floor I'd do SFA.
Ignore the squeak.
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>> If the clutch operates normally, the gears change without baulking and the biting point is not on the floor I'd do SFA.
>> Ignore the squeak.
+1.
The clutch on my Octavia taxi lasted 175,000 miles, fwiw. 50% around town, 50% on the M1. Always driven con brio.
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Do you recall it being lighter in the past?
I would go back to the dealer and ask to feel the clutch weight on similar used vehicles by way of comparison.
Otherwise if the action is smooth, no graunches, and it's not slipping I would be inclined to leave it well alone.
Hate to say it though it almost sounds like a case of turning customer's comment about a squeak in to a nice little earner ...
Last edited by: Cheddar on Sat 18 Mar 17 at 09:42
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Clutch was always heavy on my A4 but continued to work as it should. I'd leave alone and just "monitor" the situation.
I would suggest overzealous garage possibly looking for work
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Even if it does need a new clutch, I would take it to an independent. That price is silly. Is it gold plated? The car is of an age where I would not be using a main dealer.
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>> Even if it does need a new clutch, I would take it to an independent.
>> That price is silly. Is it gold plated? The car is of an age where
>> I would not be using a main dealer.
It was purchased from main dealer in December 15 and included 2 years warranty plus I got a 2 year service package for taking out a very small amount of finance.
Will live with clutch for now.
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I would say so. It's a while since I drove manual VAG product but I don't recall them having especially light clutch pedals. It if's putting the clutch out (no drag) letting in in properly with some pedal travel left, and no slip then there's no reason to touch it.
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Is it not warrantied then?
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I would argue it should be covered, provided the linings were good and there was something wrong with the mechanism, but I would foresee an argument And from what Bromps says, it's by no means certain that there is anything wrong with it. If you've been driving something with a lighter action, anything can feel heavy.
Within reason, a heavy clutch pedal can be just that and quite normal. Reminds me of a Ferrari 456 belonging to a friend. The first time I tried to depress the clutch, it literally didn't move. For a fraction of a second I thought I must have been pressing the footrest. I gave it a big shove and after a few gear changes I stopped noticing. The owner was almost offended that I said the clutch was very heavy.
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Heaviest clutch, a TD5 Defender I had. Lightest was a hired Escort that was so light I thought it was broken at first.
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Update:
It was back at dealer on Thurs as service detected a small leak around coolant temp sender. Done under warranty without quibble.
Asked about clutch and service managers explanation is that heaviness is diaphragm spring hardening with age and use . It's therefore wear/tear and not covered by warranty. Not bothering me, I'll just keep driving it.
Although it did 10k in first year in my hands it should be a bit less now. The LAd graduated in July and now has his own car so no longer on round trip to Liverpool every few weeks.
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>>Asked about clutch and service managers explanation is that heaviness is diaphragm spring hardening with age and use .
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I would file that under Teckno babble
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It's therefore wear/tear and not covered by warranty.
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I would file that under Bumble off!
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My clutch is very heavy to operate (07 Corolla D4D). A few complaints on the marque specific forums mainly pointing at the Avensis with the same engine configuration.
Causes me no issues other when I go for a period of time driving other cars (almost certainly lighter), takes a few miles to readjust.
That and the DMF keeping well given the high mileage I do.
I would say no to worry but then not knowing how heavy it is.
How does it feel to operate, take up etc?
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Heavy Clutch, Possible Risks/Consequences? - sherlock47
