Clutch control and driving position.

marino

marino

New Member
Messages
6
Hi im just starting to use my 4200 manual now its gained its mot. The clutch is causing me concern. The issues are and I know it probably needs renewal and indeed it's in line to be done but I'm not gelling with or enjoying this car its really hard to drive for a couple of reasons. Firstly the clutch is really hard to pull away cleanly its either in or out if you slip it not much but just enough to pull away jerk-free it stinks of burning clutch and it's very heavy in operation. So my question is once its replaced will it improve or is this normal? If it is normal I think ill sell the car as I annoyingly have arthritis in my knees and its killing it its so heavy in operation. Ive seen in other threads that the clutch can be reconned in the uk and im being lazy asking on this post who does it so I can plan to get this and the torque tube redone at the same time. As it is the car is really hard to drive and I cannot believe it should be. The other issue is driving position if i sit comfortably with the pedals I can only just reach the gearlever and if I reach the lever my knees are up round the steering wheel im not a tall person im average height . does anyone else have these issues. It's very powerful sounds fantastic but if I can't enjoy it no point in keeping it . Also the radio does not work is there a company that repairs the radio? I also have running issues with erratic idle and vvc solenoid but im ok with sorting these one by one i am mostly concerned replacing the clutch will not fix the way it works. As an aside it does not slip no matter how hard you accelerate so its not worn out I wouldn't have said but of course, that does not mean it is not faulty .
 
safrane

safrane

Member
Messages
16,829
Driving position is typically Italian, long arms short legs.

Clutch will be better once replaced as long as all bearings are done too.
 
Oishi

Oishi

Member
Messages
825
Clutch should not be heavy, and feel smooth in engagement. I have to drive with the seat all the way back, and if I had short arms I could see a problem. For me it's perfect, but I have a +3 ape index.
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,735
Oishi said:
Clutch should not be heavy, and feel smooth in engagement. I have to drive with the seat all the way back, and if I had short arms I could see a problem. For me it's perfect, but I have a +3 ape index.
Click to expand...

Dear god! That's nearly a baboon!

(+4: Full gibbon. My students hate it)

C
 
hladun

hladun

Member
Messages
149
I'm 6"4" and have a 6MT Spyder and I love it, but cars like these are affairs of the heart not the head. It sounds like you have too many issues to ever be really satisfied so I'd advise you to sell it and get something you like.
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
My clutch pedal was very heavy before having the clutch flywheel and bearings done

Once refreshed it was a lot lighter

I think it's the thrust bearing that becomes stiff in operation that causes the heavy clutch pedal and jerky when pulling away
 
T

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
The seats adjust front to back, tilt, height, recline...there is no excuse for not finding a position that works. The steering wheel is also adjustable.....:(
Clutch sounds rubbish. No. It’s not normal.

What’s wrong with your torque tube?
 
marino

marino

New Member
Messages
6
TimR said:
The seats adjust front to back, tilt, height, recline...there is no excuse for not finding a position that works. The steering wheel is also adjustable.....:(
Clutch sounds rubbish. No. It’s not normal.

What’s wrong with your torque tube?
Click to expand...
Torque tube is noisy well thats the opinion when its removed to do the clutch ill know better it rattles and is noisy. i hear you ref seat adjustment ill get there it doesn't help the clutch is so heavy and requires so much concentration to get a smooth take off. from the comments it will be better once removed and that was what i was after .
 
T

TimR

Member
Messages
2,731
Be sure and flush all fluid when you do the clutch work....
It may be nothing but manual cars use the same fluid for the brakes & clutch and it needs properly flushed and bled which includes the pedal pump...
Fluid needs changed every two years FYI...
:)
 
spkennyuk

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,950
If memory serves to bleed the clutch isnt straight forwards. You have to pull the clutch pedal back up past what its natural position would be.

Terry hit this snag when we were at Le mans and the clutch just would not bleed properly without pulling the pedal back up above the normal position.

Im sure somebody that knows will confirm but i assume there is a valve that doesnt open and close properly if you dont fully extend the clutch pedal upwards.
 
muttit

muttit

New Member
Messages
29
It took me a little while to get used to my manual Coupe. The clutch has a long throw so I have the seat well forward, the backrest quite vertical and the steering wheel high to allow smooth gear changes & I’m 6 foot tall. Try experimenting a little with your driving position. Mine is reasonably heavy but not compared to a helix organic clutch I have on my Fiat Coupe. Good luck with your car.
 
FIFTY

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Re driving position... I am 6ft with long legs. And appropriate length arms. No issue reaching the shifter but it is in an odd place because Modena couldn't be bothered to redesign it for RHD cars

Anyways I like to keep the wheel quite low my left knee just avoids hitting the base of the wheel when I'm changing gears. It is an odd driving position... It took a lot of experimenting to find one i am comfortable in when between fuel stops on long journeys.
 
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