Quality advice wanted re. 306 clutch

[onthecut]

Hi Guys --

Well, I've really tried to find an answer for this elsewhere on the net and there's no question that our forum here is head and shoulders above the rest for a spot of focus and accuracy ! Couldn't form any definite picture from elesewhere, so ---------

Late 90s 1.9TD 306 with self adjusting clutch cable ---anyone know if the cable can be de-adjusted and, if so, how ? Underlying issue is that daughter's 306 has a heavy clutch, which at 113k may be down to the clutch, or cable. I sugggested trying a cable first, but now see it's a self adjust type. Obviously don't want to fit it, have it adjust a good way up, then have to bin it if it turns out to be the clutch.

As always, all thoughts welcome.

Mike.

[Peter.N.]

Hi Mike

If its of a similar type to the XM cable you cant adjust it although I have bodged them by fitting a spacer between the end of the cable and the lever, a suitably sized nut with a slot cut in the side so you can slip it over the cable. If it has a spring around the outside of the cable at the top behind the engine, compress the spring along the cable and it will release the self adjuster, you probably won't be able to get your hand in but a length of wire coathanger with a hook bent on the end should do it.

If its heavy for the entire pedal travel I would say its probably down to wear, the 2.1 XM's are notorious for that, you need both feet to push the pedal down - well nearly, except the one on my white estate, for some reason its as light as the hydraulic clutch on the 2.5 - I wish I knew why.

Peter

[kenhall]

I agree with Peter. My son has a well used 306 1.8 16V petrol model. It has a self adjusting cable and the pedal operation is heavy and clutch operation is very much on/off rather than progressive all of which I believe are symptoms of a well worn clutch plate. Having said that there are no signs yet of it slipping.

Ken

[onthecut]

Hi Peter, Ken

I do know the XM cable having had a few 2.1 and having had a broken cable on one. Can't recall how, now, but I think there is a proper method to release the adjuster on them. This Pug cable (aftermarket, though) doesn't seem to have any external bits to dabble with --- all seemingly contained within a cylindrical plastic housing.

Ken --- your comment about heaviness is very much echoed by postings on the net, but I guess it's all a question of degree. We have had other 306 in the past and I don't recall any being quite as marked as this one, even at higher miles. There is some comment about RHD making them heavy, as the cable apparently has two 90 deg bends and slowly gets cooked by the exhaust. The suddeness of the clutch action obviously must be to do with the geometry of mechanism itself, I guess.

Still, on the bright side, my 2.5 now has an absolutely feather light clutch since I replaced it -- lovely !

Mike.

[Dieselman]

It will be just the clutch being well worn, hence the actuator fingers work at a different leverage angle thus make the clutch heavy.

There is no adjustment for the cable it self adjusts using a spring and collet arrangement.

At least fitting a new clutch to these cars is cheapish and easy-ish.

[Peter.N.]

In the olden days when pressure plates had springs, as the lining wore so the pedal got lighter, with these new fangled diaphragm clutches they work on the 'tin lid' effect. If you press on the centre of a lid it will often snap into a different position and then snap back when you pudh it the other way, when the clutch is new its at about the balance point of the snap over effect, sort of mechanically assisted, press the pedal with a new clutch and it will initially require a reasonable ammount of effort and then it will become easier as you get over the centre point, as the friction plate wears you get past that point of assistance and its all down to your left foot - hard work, I prefer the old clutches.

Peter

[onthecut]

There is no adjustment for the cable it self adjusts using a spring and collet arrangement.

.

Hi DM.

Appreciate it self adjusts -- question is can you de-adjust it, so to speak, otherwise a new clutch will mean a new cable.

Mike.

[robert_e_smart]

all down to your left foot - hard work

Thats why I drive an automatic

[Dieselman]

There is no adjustment for the cable it self adjusts using a spring and collet arrangement.

.

Hi DM.

Appreciate it self adjusts -- question is can you de-adjust it, so to speak, otherwise a new clutch will mean a new cable.

Mike.

It will self adjust to take up the slack again.
Each time the pedal comes back up to the stop the cable relaxes and adjusts.

[kenhall]

Section 6-2 (Clutch) of the Haynes manual for the 306 describes how to adjust the " pedal assist spring ". i have no experience of this but it might be worth a try.

Ken