Technical Clutch Cable Adjustment
- Thread starter Nubber99
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Technical Clutch Cable Adjustment
More information would help.
Year? Model? Issue?
Year? Model? Issue?
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
The main requirement is to ensure there is free play so there is no drag or slip. At 160k the issue may well be the clutch is nearing its end. I will see if my workshop book covers the cable clutch. Uk are hydraulic.
Thanks.
A cable clutch is usually adjusted by a threaded rod which passes through a hole in a plate on the gearbox.
The hole (or could be a slot) is big enough for the rod and inner cable to pass through to the clutch lever arm.. but too small for a washer and nut to pass through. There may be another nut that helps lock the rod to the other side of the plate (so one nut each side), to squeeze the plate from both sides.
The position of this washer and nut(s) determines how much rod can poke through the hole. The more rod pokes through the hole, the "longer" the cable is.
To adjust the cable, you loosen off both nuts (or usually just the one behind the plate, nearest to the gearbox) and then screw the other nut "in" to shorten the cable (less rod pokes through the hole). When the clutch pedal starts to bite about 1/3 of the way off the floor, the cable is adjusted, so you can tighten up the nut, to hold it at the correct length, then pinch the second nut on the reverse side, to stop it unscrewing.
Some cables fit into a rubber grommet and are held in place just by the tension on the cable... but those will have a nut and locknut on the clutch release arm that follows the same principle.
Ralf S.
The hole (or could be a slot) is big enough for the rod and inner cable to pass through to the clutch lever arm.. but too small for a washer and nut to pass through. There may be another nut that helps lock the rod to the other side of the plate (so one nut each side), to squeeze the plate from both sides.
The position of this washer and nut(s) determines how much rod can poke through the hole. The more rod pokes through the hole, the "longer" the cable is.
To adjust the cable, you loosen off both nuts (or usually just the one behind the plate, nearest to the gearbox) and then screw the other nut "in" to shorten the cable (less rod pokes through the hole). When the clutch pedal starts to bite about 1/3 of the way off the floor, the cable is adjusted, so you can tighten up the nut, to hold it at the correct length, then pinch the second nut on the reverse side, to stop it unscrewing.
Some cables fit into a rubber grommet and are held in place just by the tension on the cable... but those will have a nut and locknut on the clutch release arm that follows the same principle.
Ralf S.
Thanks for the reply. The cable sheath doesn't have any adjustment. It just slots into a locating bracket. The inner cable ends in a threaded rod that passes through the clutch release rod. There is a plastic piece that fits into the release rod, and the cable adjusting nut fits into that. I have adjusted it to where the clutch starts to bite at about 1/3 travel. There's no evidence of the clutch dragging when it's released, and there's no crunch when engaging gears and no slip when driving. I was hoping for some kind of procedure but things seem OK as it is. It's still a bit heavy, but it might need lubrication or replacement. They aren't expensive - about €25 to €30.
That's what I meant in my last sentence ^.
You just adjust the cable until the clutch starts to bite when the pedal is about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up from the floor. If yours is changing gear and the clutch isn't slipping then it's probably near enough.
A heavy clutch is usually a sign of the clutch becoming tired. I think 500s clutches last about 60,000 miles (100,000 kms) so yours (guessing) is the car's second clutch and it's on the way out. If it's the original, that would be impressive.. but it would likely be even more on its way out.
Ralf S.
You just adjust the cable until the clutch starts to bite when the pedal is about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up from the floor. If yours is changing gear and the clutch isn't slipping then it's probably near enough.
A heavy clutch is usually a sign of the clutch becoming tired. I think 500s clutches last about 60,000 miles (100,000 kms) so yours (guessing) is the car's second clutch and it's on the way out. If it's the original, that would be impressive.. but it would likely be even more on its way out.
Ralf S.
