Clutch bracket

On a 1999 1.8 freelander, I replaced a fractured clutch bracket and cylinder assembly 6 days ago. Today the new bracket has fractured in the same place taking the cylinder assy with it. Either I'm unlucky, or is this a symptom of further impending clutch trouble?

colin43 said:

On a 1999 1.8 freelander, I replaced a fractured clutch bracket and cylinder assembly 6 days ago. Today the new bracket has fractured in the same place taking the cylinder assy with it. Either I'm unlucky, or is this a symptom of further impending clutch trouble?

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Nasty, is there excess play in the gearbox mount?

I don't think so. The slave pushrod would appear to be a couple of mm out of line with the clutch, but I took that as acceptable tolerance. Or is it not?

was it an original bracket? If not where did you get it from.
I changed min a few weeks back ( same thing broke and lost all the assembly see my thread),but the new one i fitted was a hell of a piece of steel, as was the original( freelander is 8 yr old with 60+k and looked like original bracket)
It could be that you had a badly fabricated item, and if it was a genuine part i suggest you take it back and ask for a replacment + a new hydraulic assembly.
Its only a thought but could same you a lot of money and hassle.
D

Thanks. A repacement is on the way. I think that the problem may lie within the clutch itself , which after a good thinking about, seems to be a tad more stiff than when I first got the car 4 years ago. The extra pressure needed then causes the bracket to bend, causing the slave to fail. Any thoughts on this, while I clutch another straw?

It says on another thread that the release arm can become a little stiff on certain models, and i think the advice was to give the arm a good squirt with some WD40 and leave it soak. I think this would be a good idea as a cheap option before you have to start thinking of a full clutch replacement.
BTW has there been any other signs of the clutch going, slipping, smelling etc?
Oh and did you make sure that the pushrod was inline before you actually used the clutch, they can be a bitch to line up especially if you havent replaced the hydraulics at the same time as the bracket ( the plastic ties are on the new ones for just that reason to keep it all square when you fit it, and then break when the clutch pedal is first pressed) if it wasnt square would be putting a lot of undue pressure in the wrong places.
Hope this all helps, and look to the cheapest and easiest options first..
D

Thanks for your help. The problem was caused by the release arm seizing up. An honest garage heated it up and used release oil on it, said there was no need to replace cluch in this instance. Suggested I use penetrating oil to keep it free every so often.

Good to hear you have sorted it out and at the cheapest way!!!!!
Also nice that you found a good honest to goodness mechanic....
And glad we could all be of help...
D