heavy Clutch and Difficult first gear change engagement

Philip Jones · Aug 27th, 2004, 08:55

advice please. the clutch on our '97 V40 semms heavy compared with other cars. In traffic it can be difficult to engage 1st gear.
the bushes have been reblaced on the linkage. I am told by the technician that it has Renault derived gearbos and the first gear problem is known for this unit. The car ahs done baout 36,000 miles

vjck_uk · Aug 27th, 2004, 10:16

Welcome to the forums,they are great help to us all,as my Mother used to say "2 heads are better than 1 even if they are sheeps"
See if it's easier to get it in gear while you are pushing the clutch down as the internals will still be spinning.
If it's all stopped it may be difficult or the clutch could be dragging which could be keeping the internals spinning to fast.
As you push the clutch in just put a slight pressure on the gearlever.

Teaman · Oct 6th, 2007, 23:25

Hi, new to forums.

I have a T reg S40 1.8 petrol
when I bought the car @ 89k miles it had a light clutch, since then its got a heavy clutch, I have to put it in neutral at lights rather than hold the clutch in.
Ive checked for air in the cylinder also checked for leaks, both I can't seam to find. I'm not sure I could have missed something. It doesn't feel as though its in need of a new clutch as it doesnt slip under load, (being a heavy car I'm gueessing this would be very noticable.
I bought the haynes manual for the car but thats about as helpfull as a conservative talking about council tax.
anyway. does anyone have any Ideas?
I would be more than greatfull. its the only thing I can fault about the car

Derek UK · Oct 7th, 2007, 10:48

If a normaly light clutch becomes heavy it's usually on it's way out but will often soldier on for many more miles. I don't know the V40 but I assume it has a cable clutch? If so it might even cause cable breakages. Your car may only have done 36k but that's over 10 years so I'd expect it to have done a lot of town work with more than average clutch use and it's 10 years rather than the mileage that's probably the reason it's getting tired. If it is cable I don't know if the V40 has any issues with the mounting for the clutch outer cable where it goes through the bulkhead. Some cars are know to suffer from flexing/cracking here which affects clutch action. It might not completely clear the clutch which will make gear selection difficult. If first gear is difficult to select when cold (all boxes) try putting it into 2nd and then into 1st, that often helps.

Aug 27th, 2004, 08:55	#1
Philip Jones New Member Last Online: Dec 11th, 2007 14:48 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Wolverhampton	heavy Clutch and Difficult first gear change engagement advice please. the clutch on our '97 V40 semms heavy compared with other cars. In traffic it can be difficult to engage 1st gear. the bushes have been reblaced on the linkage. I am told by the technician that it has Renault derived gearbos and the first gear problem is known for this unit. The car ahs done baout 36,000 miles

Aug 27th, 2004, 10:16	#2
vjck_uk Premier member Last Online: Jul 29th, 2017 15:54 Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: southern edge of birmingham	RE: heavy Clutch and Difficult first gear change engagement Welcome to the forums,they are great help to us all,as my Mother used to say "2 heads are better than 1 even if they are sheeps" See if it's easier to get it in gear while you are pushing the clutch down as the internals will still be spinning. If it's all stopped it may be difficult or the clutch could be dragging which could be keeping the internals spinning to fast. As you push the clutch in just put a slight pressure on the gearlever.

Oct 6th, 2007, 23:25	#3
Teaman New Member Last Online: Sep 13th, 2008 17:01 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Wirral	Hi, new to forums. I have a T reg S40 1.8 petrol when I bought the car @ 89k miles it had a light clutch, since then its got a heavy clutch, I have to put it in neutral at lights rather than hold the clutch in. Ive checked for air in the cylinder also checked for leaks, both I can't seam to find. I'm not sure I could have missed something. It doesn't feel as though its in need of a new clutch as it doesnt slip under load, (being a heavy car I'm gueessing this would be very noticable. I bought the haynes manual for the car but thats about as helpfull as a conservative talking about council tax. anyway. does anyone have any Ideas? I would be more than greatfull. its the only thing I can fault about the car

Oct 7th, 2007, 10:48	#4
Derek UK VOC Member Last Online: Yesterday 13:10 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chatham	If a normaly light clutch becomes heavy it's usually on it's way out but will often soldier on for many more miles. I don't know the V40 but I assume it has a cable clutch? If so it might even cause cable breakages. Your car may only have done 36k but that's over 10 years so I'd expect it to have done a lot of town work with more than average clutch use and it's 10 years rather than the mileage that's probably the reason it's getting tired. If it is cable I don't know if the V40 has any issues with the mounting for the clutch outer cable where it goes through the bulkhead. Some cars are know to suffer from flexing/cracking here which affects clutch action. It might not completely clear the clutch which will make gear selection difficult. If first gear is difficult to select when cold (all boxes) try putting it into 2nd and then into 1st, that often helps.

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