Changing a Hydraulic Clutch.

[CPGCharlie]

Hi There,

I've just been advised that the very high bite point on my clutch, as its hydraulic, means it's about to go..

Does anyone know the rough time this would take and approximate cost ?

Many thanks,

Charlie. 

[John Vine]

Which model / year?

Both driven plate and clutch cover will depend on engine and spec. You would be wise to budget for a new slave cylinder too, while the engine's out. And then add 6-8 hours for labour. Let's hope the flywheel isn't scored!

JV

[SM25T]

If it is the external slave cylinder type on a k-series .... I would recommend replacing it with a cable ... as I did ... takes less than half an hour for the whole conversion from hydraulic to cable operation. Makes life easier in the future.

[CPGCharlie]

Its a 2008 2.3 Duratec R 

As the car is fairly new to me and going through its first major service i'm finding out a lot! 

Charlie

[SM25T]

So it will be a slave cylinder in the centre of the clutch ... so you will have to stay with that arrangement.

[rj]

It is very important not to remove the clutch stop on those. Otherwise you'll wreck the slave cylinder as it has no built in stop.

[Alan Reeves]

is that a CSR Charlie ? 

[CPGCharlie]

Very Similar Alan, but not a factory job. 

Its a 270 with inboard suspension and the other bits and pieces like the CSR. Raceline built and fitted the new engine in 2008 so trying to find out what i can if info has lasted the decade! 

[CPGCharlie]

noted, thank you

[Alan Reeves]

Intrigued...an SV I assume...

Im no mechanic but have helped out a fair few times but the last one which was a clutch change etc involved a very modified engine and with that we later learnt a modified slave cylinder etc . it caused tears....but was resolved.

I word at Raceline might be a good idea to see what they fitted.

If you are down south and need any hands shout out 

Alan

 

[CPGCharlie]

Yes an SV, it's quite a weapon. 

That's very kind thank you, it's in having a full MRI at the moment and a few things are more than overdue. 

In the Berkshire area when in the UK, will let you know if hands are needed!

Thanks again.

[Alan Reeves]

Ok Charlie you are close enough and there are a couple of others who are sometimes

free ( mondays is a good day )

A

 

[AdamQ]

FWIW, it's possible to convert it to a cable rather than hydraulic arrangement, but it's probably not worth the hassle and expense as you'd need a new bell-housing and a different nose cover thingy for the gearbox ...  

[Tony Whitley]

Let's see: I have a 2.3 Duratec, Freestyle inboard suspension and the clutch slave failed the day after the 60th weekend last year.  And I live in Berkshire.  Yes, it's engine out but as I did it myself (with help from a couple of Surrey-based 7ers) the cost was just a new slave cylinder.

[John Vine]

Raceline built and fitted the new engine...

Maybe the best bet would be to ask them if they can recall what's in there?

As a guide, my R400D clutch cover is £170, and driven plate £235 (both AP Racing items).

JV

[CPGCharlie]

Hi Tony, so do you think the high bite point, that has been like this for a year and not changed, is not symptomatic of the plates on the way out? do you recall roughly how long the whole process took to change the slave? 

[Tony Whitley]

I don’t know, I had no warning whatsoever. We were out for a blat between the 60th weekend and the track day on the Tuesday when I changed gear as I overtook another car only to find I had no drive.  Changing it took a few hours getting the engine out and back in again, actually swapping the slave cylinder only took a few minutes.

[SimonR300]

If you are going to the trouble of splitting the engine and bell-housing, I would certainly renew the clutch plates as worn plates are likely to be the problem.

Slave cylinders don't often fail.  I would make sure you fit a remote bleed nipple on a length of hose if you haven't already got one.  It certainly makes life easier than trying to get a tool on the bleed nipple that barely reaches the cutout in the bellhousing.