Freelander 1.8 clutch !?!

Hi there I am new to this forum, but after taking a look around I am convinced that you guys can help me. I have a 1.8 freelander, one of the first an ,R, reg. Although i have been through the usual freelander problems, 2 head gaskets, manifold gaskets etc etc, I am sure you all know the story!!lol Istill think its a great car I am only coming up to 80,000 miles. I had a problem with the clutch this morning while driving to work the pedal just went down to the floor and wouldn't come back up, i was stuck in 2nd gear and eventualy had to stop at some traffic lights when it stalled. I couldnt get it started again, this is due to a duff battery, and so had to get a tow home. When I came back later this evening I jump started the car and pulled the pedal back up, I pumped the clutch plenty of times and it felt completely normal, i drove it round the block a few times with no problems at all.!!!!!!

Has anyone got any ideas what may be at fault here? I have never had any issues with engaging any gears, never had any clutch slippage or over revving, my wife drove it a couple of days ago and said it was making a funny noise and thought it sounded like a tractor, but this must have been intermitent as I haven't heard it myself. I have had a duff battery on it a few months, due to funds and this has given me a few problems struggling to start the car in mornings and some times not at all. Could a duff battery effect the hydraulic working of the clutch or is this completely separate? Could it be the slave or master cylinder,or is it just the clutch, is there any way a common or garden mechanic like myself could check each one of these individually to find which is at fault?I want to save money and not have to replace the whole set up. Any thoughts and advice would be a great help please?

Hi, just had the same problem with mine, the master and slave cylinder come as a complete sealed unit and cannot be separated, the bracket the slave is mounted on often becomes bent and its a good idea to replace them all at the same time, £40-£50 for a set including bracket. However, mine was making some funny noises as well, this was because the clutch release bearing had gone and the release fork had messed up the pressure plate fingers, maybe this was why the clutch pedal would not come back up off the floor. It only took 30 mins to replace the master/slave cylinder and it is a very easy job.

check out this link, makes it easy to understand how a cluch works, So How Does a Clutch Work? | SPIKE

make sure the clutch release arm isnt seized

common problem (blame honda they designed the gearbox!)

and its a gearbox off job to fix

good luck

Hi there thanks for coming back to me about my clutch. had a mechanic mate check it out and he said its definetely the hydraulics and the slave bracket is bent. I have ordered a kit off ebay and am fitting it this weekend. You said its a pretty straight forward job, do you know of any links showing images and instructions on how to do this job? I am sure I have seen this on the web but cant remember if it was on this site or some where else?

I used both the Haynes manual and the official Land Rover manual to see how it's done. I posted some info and pics on my blog:
Freelander Owner: Clutch Master & Slave Assembly Replacement

Thanks for that that was a great help. I managed to do the job in an hour, the most awkward bit was disconnecting and re connecting at the pedal end. the ols hydraulic system was on its way out, there was a leak in the rubber boot on the slave cylinder and the bracket was bent, so fitted a new bracket as well. Unfortunately fitting a new hydraulic system as just exaggerated the fact that the clutch is shot, took it out for a spin after and it feels very peculiar to drive with a whirring noise, vibration through the clutch pedal and a hot metallic burning smell, so am assuming its the clutch. I can get gears fine but it doesn,t feel right at all. Noticed when your stationary and you dip the clutch there is a noticeable difference in the engine noise. Any thoughts on that one guys?

That sounds like clutch problems - when you dip the clutch the release bearing rubs on the clutch because it's worn so much. If this carries on it can lead to bearing failure which can lead to a big mess or the clutch just won't disengage.

I recently changed the clutch on mine, it took quite a while but wasn't particularly difficult - mainly lots of undoing bolts and manhandling the gearbox. When I did this, i knackered the slave cylinder myself which is worth keeping an eye on. If you want some tips, let me know.

great blog 50cc, usefull!

Be careful, get the clutch replaced and get the arm replaced too, this went on mine and knackered the flywheel as well - took two weeks to get a replacement flywheel (should have got mine skimmed) - hey ho live and learn