clutch 'clunk'?

freekmans · Post by **freekmans** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 11:57 am

...bought a 1991 turbo which had driven only 70,000 (now 76,000) km. I didn't pay much attention to the clutch. It was all new to me and I didn't notice anything strange about it. With that kind of mileage, it should be working perfectly....

however, now I know (at least feel) that the clutch isn't working properly. When I let go of the clutch pedal, the enigine does not catch on smoothly. In stead, the clutch catches on suddenly, almost with a 'clunk'. Also, I experience considerable vibration in my suspension when letting go of the clutch in first gear.

are these indications that clutch is on its way out, or could it be an improper adjustment?

pol · Post by **pol** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:20 pm

Could be the release bearing. I had a problem with mine. Is it ever difficult to get out of any gears? Or maybe worn engine mounts.

pol

Ben Harris · Post by **Ben Harris** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:32 pm

This may sound like a stupid question, but have you got any mats on the drivers side? When I bought my 2-litre, the first thing I did was to buy it some nice new mats (not Volvo ones). About a month afterwards, I discovered that I couldn't engage the clutch smoothly, and it would grab. I was quite worried about it, as I suspected it was the release bearing, and would take alot of dismantling to fix it.

It turned out though (thankfully), that it was simply the mat had slid too far back (only by about 5mm, and the clutch pedal was catching on it ever so slightly. This gave exactly the same symptoms you've just described. It wasn't obvious though, even though you'd have thought it might be!

Just something to check - and it doesn't cost anything to fix, if it's the problem!

Ben.

freekmans · Post by **freekmans** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 1:43 pm

ok, thank a lot!

I will certainly check my floormats,
and Pol: I do have some trouble sometimes getting the gearstick in and out 1st and 2nd. And when changing the release bearing, is it smart to change other clutch parts as well or would that be too costly?

pol · Post by **pol** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:47 pm

Sounds like release bearing then. And yes, do the clutch disk and plate at the same time. About Â£120 gets you the full set from www.gsfcarparts.co.uk for the later type, or cheaper for the earlier models. It's a bit of an arse of a job to do yourself, but you get to know your car well from doing it.

pol

pol · Post by **pol** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 3:48 pm

P.s. It doesn't jump out of 5th somethimes also does it?

pol

freekmans · Post by **freekmans** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 4:25 pm

ok, thank again! (it does not jump out of 5th gear....)