Ratty43 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Put this in International since clutches are roughly the same throughout but it's on my Defender. The bite point on my clutch is so high that pressing it half an inch is enough to make it slip. I first thought the clutch was badly worn so this weekend I replaced it with a new genuine LR kit (and hd fork). I wasn't best pleased to find a barely worn AP clutch in there but changed it anyway. The bite point seemed a little lower when I first started off but quickly returned to the top again. Next up I found Western's post on adjusting the pedal. It was as it should be but I wound the nuts on the push rod until it was at maximum adjustment just to see what happened. That has given me about half an inch free play at the pedal but as soon as that's taken up the bite point is the same as before. All that seems to suggest that my fault isn't mechanical so it must be hydraulic. Anyone got any pointers as to what in the hydraulic system could cause it? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallfry Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Slave cylinder corroded internally, and not letting piston return ? Jump hose breaking up inside giving a one way valve effect ? For the sake of 40 quid I would change the lot ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Thanks for that. I did wonder if the slave jams part way then the master (once the pedal is released) allows free fluid travel. Bit like pumping the pedal. The hose never occurred to me. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_a Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 If the gasket has been replaced with instant gasket or if there was a damper plate bracket then the clutch will be higher. I removed the damper on the disco as I thought it was faulty and noticed that the pedal was higher, after all 2-3mm of spacer is a reasonable chunk of pedal movement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Thanks for that. I'm going to try shimming the slave away from the bell housing as a quick and easy short term answer. Can't help but feel that it's not a permanent answer though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_grieve Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Open the bleed nipple on the slave and see if any fluid comes out indicating there is hydraulic pressure there holding the clutch slightly. Might be a faulty master cylinder not letting fluid back or I know you say it's not mechanical but is it definitely not the release bearing not moving back on the splines properly? I think Bill had a recent and unusual thing going on with a flexi pipe that might be worth a look. I have never seen it myself where delamination causes a one way valve effect but that's a good thing with forums bringing knowledge like that together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 With the slave off the release moves easily away from the clutch. However I noticed today that it takes a reasonable amount of pressure to move the cylinder back and as soon as it's released. Definitely under pressure so looks like the master is at fault. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Thanks to all who responded. Fitted a new Delphi master cylinder today and the bite point is now about half way up. I'm still surprised at how powerful the spring in the slave is. It managed to pop the piston out giving me a face full of fluid. While in pieces I checked it and there's no sign of wear to the bore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted March 22, 2014 Share Posted March 22, 2014 Interesting, my clutch's bite point is also at the very top - within the first inch of travel at any rate. Might change the master and see what happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 22, 2014 Author Share Posted March 22, 2014 Well it seems to have worked for me although I'll wait a day or two to make sure it isn't just a fluke. £45 (I know I could have got it cheaper but getting one locally at least sorted it quickly) I could have done without on top of buying the unnecessary clutch kit but that said at least I know that side of it should e good for a fair while to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mo Murphy Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Ratty, it's always a good idea to change clutch slave and master cylinder together as the increased pressure from the new master cylinder soon sees off a part worn slave. Usually at the most inconvenient time and place Mo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 Cheers for the advice Mo, I'll stick it on the to do list and replace the hose at the same time so it's all good. Have to wait a bit though, my Mrs is getting ever so slightly tetchy at the rate of spending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Arson looks better by the day. Bite point has moved back to the top again. I'll get a new slave and hose on order and hope it makes a difference. If not then I'll just have to live with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_grieve Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Is the vent hole in the master cylinder cap blocked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ratty43 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Fair point but it's a new cap with the new cylinder and the bite point remains the same. As a matter of interest my Mrs says the bite point was about halfway up when she drove it first in October. I hadn't noticed it until she pointed it out the other day. It's obviously been a slow development. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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