Clutch change needed ?

Hello and a Happy New Year to one and all.

I've got a 1986 Land Rover 90 with a 200tdi engine and probably the original gearbox.

Last winter I had some nasty noises from the gearbox which changed in pitch when the clutch pedal was pressed so I assumed clutch bearing and bought a new replacement kit with upgraded (reinforced) release arm. However the noises stopped after a day or two and I've been using the car for the best part of 10 months now without any issues.

Yesterday I found it really hard to get into gear. Stationary and going into 1st was the worst - really had to fight/push the lever. Instant thoughts were clutch fluid but on checking the master reservoir all was fine - no drop at all from when I last checked it.

I'm thinking that the time has probably come to bite the bullet and do what I managed to avoid last winter and replace the clutch.

Before I do (or rather my local garage does as I really don't have the time or patience to do this "big" job) I was wondering if anyone has any other advice on things to check prior?

The car does no more than 5k miles a year (it's only really used for local runs and towing my jetskis), nothing has gone bang and there's no nasty noises or vibrations (other than the usual ones which I've had in the last 13 years of owning her).

Any thoughts please?????

Can you get it into gear with the engine stopped (just to check it isn't a gearbox selection issue)? Does it try to creep forward when in gear, clutch pressed with engine running (clutch dragging)?

Kwakerman said:

Can you get it into gear with the engine stopped (just to check it isn't a gearbox selection issue)? Does it try to creep forward when in gear, clutch pressed with engine running (clutch dragging)?

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Thanks for the quick reply.

....yes it goes into gear no probs (with or without clutch pedal depressed) with the engine off) - tried this last night.

Just popped out (in the rain) to check clutch drag and .... everything seems back to normal/fine - a little notchy going into 1st with the engine on but nothing like it was yesterday

Obviously the geabox oil (which I had changed this summer) is cold now and thicker - maybe worth checking the levels there, what do you think? I've got no big puddles of oil (no more than usual anyway, lol). I'll go for a little run tomorrow and see if the problem repeats itself once the oil is "hot".

The bite point seems a bit low (less than 1cm of movement from off the floor) but I don't recall this being ever any different.

bugger

I assume you have an LT77 gearbox (reverse next to first) rather than an R380 (reverse where 6th would be), when you changed the oil did you stick the recommended grade in. From memory it should be ATF (automatic transmission fluid) rather than MTF (manual). Wrong grade oil could be causing stiff engagement. I'm sure James Martin will be able to advise better as he is the man in the know.

Yes it's a LT77 gearbox and I'll give the garage a call tomorrow to check what oil they put it.

Strange that it's been fine since the oil change (some months ago) up until yesterday - that's the bit I don't get .... why did it get difficult yesterday and then not today (not so far at least) ????

Like you say, colder weather may be a factor. Did it become easier to select gears when it had warmed up?

Kwakerman said:

Like you say, colder weather may be a factor. Did it become easier to select gears when it had warmed up?

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Nope was a pain in the whatsit from cold in the morning right until it was nice and hot when I arrived at my destination and then the same again on the return journey. It seemed that the clutch wasn't disengaging properly to allow smooth gear selection - hence my first thoughts about the clutch fluid but that checked out OK.

There's pressure on the pedal from the moment I put my foot on it right until it hits the floor.

LVC said:

Nope was a pain in the whatsit from cold in the morning right until it was nice and hot when I arrived at my destination and then the same again on the return journey. It seemed that the clutch wasn't disengaging properly to allow smooth gear selection - hence my first thoughts about the clutch fluid but that checked out OK.

There's pressure on the pedal from the moment I put my foot on it right until it hits the floor.

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still could be poor clutch (warped diaphragm)

Yes, entirely possible - will see if it comes back and if it does I'll bite the bullet and get it changed. I've got the parts anyway so it's just the labour costs and then at least I know it's done.