Mrs can't drive VTR

1. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

   #1 8th July 2013, 12:41

   After a change in circumstances my other half is temporarily using my VTR MK2 daily to get to work and back. She has to take it through painfully slow city traffic (think m25 rush hour). The problem is the clutch is too heavy for her to the point she is getting pain in her leg and foot. I've done the drive a couple of times and it is very heavy.
   
   The clutch has always been VERY knotchy and stiff but has never been a problem for me as I mostly use it for country driving/high gears.
   
   I've attempted to clean and grease the clutch cable from the gearbox end but only about 6inches of the cable is exposed. After cleaning some of the crap off the cable, the clutch is smoother to depress but it still VERY heavy.
   
   Would a new cable help with the heaviness, or do I need to make an adjustment to the travel in the pedal itself (don't want to fuck up the biting point obviously).
   
   Sorry for long post and thanks for any advice.
2. manta Saxperience Forum Bum Joined: Jun 2009 Jonathan Tonk's yard. Posts: 4232 '85 Opel Manta '88 Manta GT/E '87 Rayleigh Roadi

   #2 8th July 2013, 12:58

   replace the cable and go from there
3. Gain L-plater Joined: Jul 2013 Posts: 40 Saxo VTR

   #3 8th July 2013, 13:16

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by manta replace the cable and go from there

   Thanks mate.
   
   Wasn't sure if changing the cable would leave the clutch just as heavy, just smoother?
   
   Don't really want to invest the money into changing the cable unless it will fix it. Local garage has quoted me £95 all in to replace the cable.
4. robster247 Established Member Joined: Feb 2011 cumbria Posts: 1239 Satin black furio

   #4 8th July 2013, 13:44

   My 106 gti was like this, compared to my furio it was serious and even I didn't like it for the short period I was using it. Don't know if it was my cable or the clutch itself.
   
   As above try to replace the cable but I wouldn't pay £100 to get it changed, have a go yourself grab a manual if your not mechanicaly minded as its easy just tight to get at it
5. richy_t_123 Frequent Poster Joined: Mar 2009 newcastle Posts: 980 2002 silver vts

   #5 8th July 2013, 13:59

   As said mate that price us madness! Have a go yourself or there may be someone on here local to you that could help you out
6. rjmracer Infrequent Poster Joined: Aug 2009 Leicestershire Posts: 130 Black VTR

   #6 8th July 2013, 23:17

   When was the clutch last done...any ideas? Mine was how you describe and also when not in gear engine running you could hear the release bearing...was told the bearing was on its way out so i replaced the clutch and its was brill after....very light clutch pedal...with nice bite point.
   
   The worn bearing had worn the splines in the clutch causing the hard pedal etc....
   
   Hopefully someone can back me up on this.... but it worked for me
7. DAMSK11 Established Member Joined: Jan 2012 Cambridgeshire, England Posts: 2180 Saxo 1.1, Fiesta Zetec S

   #7 8th July 2013, 23:25

   Different cars are harder to press the clutch. My Dads Focus has a light clutch where as both my Saxo's have heavy clutches. May not be a great deal you can do about it.
8. jay230390 Newbie Joined: May 2011 blyth Posts: 7 green saxo vtr

   #8 10th July 2013, 09:37

   Quote:

   Originally Posted by richy_t_123 As said mate that price us madness! Have a go yourself or there may be someone on here local to you that could help you out

   Totally true its simple. U can get a cable for 15 quid just give it a go ul b suprised