Stiff clutch pedal: causes of malfunction. Stiff clutch pedal Why did the clutch pedal become stiff?

Some drivers joke that they can recognize from a crowd a person whose car has an old clutch - they clearly have a clubfoot on their left leg. But seriously, the problem of a tight clutch pedal and the associated double or even tripled load must be eliminated before problems with the knee joint of the leg appear.

Oddly enough, the problem of a hard clutch pedal exists on a variety of models and brands of cars with a manual transmission. An initially normal or slightly heavy clutch pedal can become stiff in both the cable and hydraulic clutch actuators. But in most cases, it is car models using a cable that suffer from this strange problem. In hydraulics, the percentage of such problems is lower. There are some peculiarities in the design of the basket, why the clutch pedal became tight without visible defects or breakdowns on the drive side.

In the overall picture, the main reasons for a tight drive pedal are the following:

abnormal operation of the clutch basket diaphragm spring;
the presence of local scuffing or local wedging of the release bearing, fork, friction disc on their supporting surfaces;
a cable in a working braid that is partially torn and unraveled into wires.

The last point can be easily controlled independently, without the help or services of auto repairmen.

On a note! It is often believed that if, after depressing the clutch pedal, it quickly and easily returns to its place, the cable is in good condition and cannot be replaced. It is quite possible to check the ease of movement of the cable without dismantling it. For a more accurate check, the cable head is disconnected from the drive foot and, by squeezing the pedal, the applied force is compared with the parameters of the new cable.

Why is the clutch pedal stiff?

In fact, the problem that caused the drive pedal to become hard and tight has a complex basis and connects all three factors:

The most common is the first reason. The cunning design of the basket petals leads to the fact that over time the central part with the release bearing protrudes like a hump above the plane of the spring. To overcome this hump, you have to spend extra effort.

Often, the manufacturer artificially increases the stiffness of the petals to increase the durability of the diaphragm spring. This is especially true for Chinese counterfeits of branded products, such as Kraft or Sachs. With the installation of such a piece of hardware, the tight clutch pedal will not become any easier.

In addition to the spring, the release bearing also adds problems as it wears out. After 150 thousand km it will hang on the spring petals and give any conceivable distortions. The design of the release fork is such that it is on it that the main efforts converge and concentrate. This leads to deformation of its rotation axis and jamming in extreme positions, characteristic of a worn basket mechanism.

Very often a situation arises when the owner replaces the clutch basket with a new one, but in order to save money, leaves the fork. The new basket creates a huge resistance force and, as a result, the worn fork breaks at the most inopportune moment. In this case, the driver gets a dropped clutch pedal instead of a tight pedal.

How to deal with a tight clutch pedal

Most drivers do not want to put up with this state of affairs and try in every possible way to improve the performance of the clutch.

Among the most common recipes for dealing with a tight pedal are the following:

Replacement of the basket and all clutch assembly elements with a known quality product. The best option would not even be a new Valeo, but the assembly recommended by the manufacturer. Often, for many car enthusiasts, the situation became a revelation when, after replacing cool branded baskets with conventional Russian options, the clutch pedal turned from extremely tight to an option with a comfortable level of effort;
It is considered cheaper and more accessible to pack all rubbing surfaces with lubricant. To gain access to blind lubrication points, there is a diagram indicating drilling locations, where transmission oil is subsequently pumped with a syringe or oiler;
Replacing the cable with a stronger model, regularly filling brake fluid or engine oil with a syringe under the casing. If spindle or similar oil still gives a good effect, pouring brake fluid or WD-40 is pointless and useless. They only contribute to the destruction of the outer sheath of the cable.

Important! All of the above methods, to one degree or another, can effectively deal with a tight clutch pedal. The first recipe will be the best and most effective.

In addition to cable drives, hydraulic systems also suffer from similar problems. But, unlike the cable, due to the high force on the clutch release fork, the cylinder cuffs are destroyed first, and brake fluid leaks.

The video shows what a stiff clutch pedal is and how to fix the problem:

If you own a car with an automatic transmission, then this article may not seem interesting to you, because now we will talk about an indispensable part for vehicles with a manual transmission. Of course, we mean the clutch pedal, which serves as the main link between the driver’s desire and the “obedience” of the car. To engage or disengage the clutch, a certain force must be applied to the pedal, but if excessive loads are required from the driver, then this is a clear sign of the presence of some problems in the system.

1. Reasons for a hard clutch pedal

Why do we sometimes have to encounter such a phenomenon as a “hard clutch pedal”? In fact, there are several most common reasons. Firstly, the pedal lever itself often jams or the cable gets jammed, and secondly, the source of such problems can be too much wear on the clutch fork bearing, which is why it also begins to move slowly. In some cases, tightness is explained by a blockage in the hydraulic system or wear of the release bearing.

Naturally, to restore the clutch pedal to normal operation, you will have to take a number of necessary actions, but first, let’s try to understand the various signs of various malfunctions. For example, if the stiffness of the clutch pedal is the result of wear on the fork bearing, then when you press the pedal you will hear some characteristic rumbling, indicating that the release bearing has already served its allotted time, and it is time to replace it with a new part.

The mechanisms produced today are designed to cover fairly long distances (more than 1,300 km), but the driver would do well to carry out regular diagnostics and timely elimination of emerging problems (including replacing broken parts). In those cases where the system is treated negligently and inattentively, the clutch pedal will last you at most 50,000 kilometers, and in large trucks problems can be caused by poor grinding in of new elements.

The problem of incomplete engagement of the mechanism should not be excluded from the possible causes of “hard clutch”. In such situations, when changing gear, the driver of the vehicle will hear a characteristic grinding noise. This is due to the inability of the driven disk to come off the pressure plate normally. To fix this problem, it is best to immediately contact professionals.

Incomplete shutdown of the device also has its reasons. These include:

- incorrect cable adjustment;

Driven disk jamming;

Incorrect assembly of the system unit;

Disc warping;

Severe wear on the switching mechanism.

The problem of a “hard” clutch pedal occurs in different cars, and hydraulically driven vehicles are no exception. If you are the owner of just such a car, then you should know that a tight clutch pedal can be explained by several reasons: a bent fork, coked splines of the input shaft along which the driven disk slides, contamination of the bushing along which it moves, as well as damage to the internal part of the flexible hydraulic drive system hose. These are the most common explanations for the problem of a stiff pedal, but they are far from the only ones.

For example, on old hoses a piece of rubber may peel off, which will ultimately play the role of a kind of valve, so if you look for the reason without dismantling the gearbox, you can replace the flexible hose yourself and bleed the clutch, and if this does not help, then contact service specialists.

2. What should I do if the clutch pedal is hard?

If the clutch pedal on your vehicle suddenly becomes tight, and the gears are switched with a certain effort (and it also happens that the speed does not turn on at all), first of all it is necessary to establish the exact cause of this phenomenon. It is likely that the clutch cable will need to be completely replaced and adjusted. This process has its own characteristics, and before installing a new element, it is necessary to lubricate it thoroughly with a special liquid. For this purpose, WD-40 is often used.

In addition, often the clutch pedal simply cannot be depressed. This is often preceded by excessively light pressure or complete “failure.” Such breakdowns are often associated with improper adjustment of the cable or its breakage. In such cases, it would be useful to check the condition of the release bearing, which may be damaged, which is why it becomes difficult to press the pedal. You should also check the diaphragm spring located on the pressure plate for damage.

If you are used to repairing your vehicle yourself and are well familiar with the features of its design, then such a check can be performed independently, but in most cases, car owners prefer to seek help from service station specialists.

3. How to fix this?

The easiest way to “soften” the clutch pedal is to lubricate the release bearing guide and clutch fork support. Of course, this method will help fix the problem only if more serious malfunctions and component defects are excluded. To perform this task it is not at all necessary to dismantle the gearbox. Simply remove the cable from the fork, then the protective rubber, and then secure the fork so that it does not slip out of the support bearing. After completing these tasks, take a flashlight and see if the mechanism has enough lubrication.

If it is missing, then carefully clean the dirt with a wire and lubricate the part. Move the fork in different directions so that the lubricant is better distributed over the entire surface. Also, do not forget about the support located behind the fork; it must also be well lubricated. Of course, due to the limited engine compartment space, it is quite inconvenient to perform all of the above actions, but if desired, nothing is impossible. Therefore, be patient and confidently begin the task.

The clutch pedal on a car with a manual transmission is used to engage and disengage the clutch when starting and stopping the car and changing gears while driving. When the force when pressing the pedal increases, this situation, in addition to causing significant discomfort for the driver, reduces traffic safety and can lead to an emergency.

This is because the increase in force when the pedal becomes tight is always caused by some kind of malfunction, the consequences of which are unpredictable until its cause is identified.

Car pedals: from left to right - clutch, brake, gas

Types of clutch drive:

Cable;

Hydraulic.

Most often, a malfunction with an increase in pedal force occurs when equipped with a cable drive.

Signs of a pedal failure:

Extraneous sounds (creaking, squeaking) when pressing and releasing the pedal;

The pedal moves jerkily;

Frequent adjustments of the idle pedal (usually when a crack appears in the release fork);

Car jerks when the clutch is engaged (when the pedal is released);

Causes of a tight clutch pedal:

Pedal lever sticking;

Wear of the clutch fork drive cable;

Fork jamming;

Dirt or crack on the release bearing guide;

Stiff piston movement in the clutch master or slave cylinders (dirt or corrosion inside the cylinder body);

Crack in the bearing drive fork;

Distortion or crack in the cable lock bracket (located in the car interior);

Wear or deformation of the clutch basket leaf spring;

Clutch disc jamming on the splined part of the gearbox input shaft;

Peeling of rubber inside a flexible hose, as well as sticking of rubber inside the hose.

The cause of a tight pedal can also be a tight leaf spring of the clutch basket, when manufacturers deliberately increase its rigidity to extend its service life. Similar “replica” products for well-known brands are supplied by Chinese manufacturers. Therefore, when purchasing clutch assembly elements, it is better to give preference to trusted manufacturers, even if it is more expensive.

What to do?

Often, inexperienced drivers immediately begin to blame the clutch assembly itself, purchasing the entire set in order to replace the assembly, without understanding the very cause of the malfunction. In addition to the fact that a set in the form of a basket, disk and release bearing costs serious money, you will also need to pay the service center for a replacement.

In this case, it may turn out that after replacing all the elements of the assembly, the problem does not go away and the pedal is still tight. The culprit in such a situation is often a worn clutch cable (individual “hairs” of the cable have become fluffy), or dirt or traces of corrosion in the cable jacket, as well as a lack of lubrication on the clutch release fork shaft.

A few drops of oil or an injection of WD-40 into the cable jacket or onto the fork shaft is enough and the entire drive starts working perfectly, like new.

Lubricate the clutch cable with engine oil

Hydraulically driven There may be a malfunction of the master or slave cylinders.

When the clutch release fork wears out or is deformed, it is also necessary to replace it together with the clutch assembly, since if it is not replaced, then in addition to the pedal remaining tight, the fork itself may burst. This is due to the fact that the new basket has high compression resistance and a worn fork can burst at the most inopportune moment, which will make it impossible to change gears in the gearbox.

Therefore, if signs of a tight clutch pedal appear, diagnose all clutch elements to accurately locate and eliminate the malfunction. It is better not to postpone such an operation until later, since one day you may end up on a highway far from populated areas.

The clutch pedal is tight when the driver needs to apply noticeable force when pressing. In this case, there may be several reasons why the clutch is tight: fastening of the pedal itself, problems with the clutch drive, malfunctions of the clutch mechanism, etc. Next, we'll look at the signs that indicate a hard clutch pedal is a symptom of a problem, as well as the causes of a tight clutch.

Read in this article

Clutch design and types: drive connection features

Before moving on to problems and a tight pedal, you need to pay special attention to the clutch design. A standard clutch installed on a vehicle with a manual transmission includes:

clutch driven disc;
release bearing;
release clutch and clutch fork;
clutch drive;
clutch basket.

There are several types of clutch:

single-disk, double-disk or multi-disk (according to the number of slave disks);
dry or wet (type of working environment);
with mechanical or .

On cars with manual transmission, the most common type today is a single-plate dry clutch with a hydraulic or mechanical drive. The connection methods for the clutch pedal may also differ.

The mechanical method of connecting the pedal to the release bearing is through a cable connected to the clutch fork, which mechanically presses the release bearing, which opens the clutch discs.

In the case of the hydraulic method, the pressure of the release bearing is controlled by liquid. In this case, when you press the clutch pedal, excess pressure is created in the hydraulic circuit, which, in turn, acts on the hydraulic part of the release bearing, which opens the clutch discs.

Correct operation of the clutch should be accompanied by clear engagement and disengagement of gears when the clutch pedal is depressed. The transmission from the internal combustion engine to the gearbox should be smooth, without breaks in traction or extraneous noise. The pedal operation itself should be smooth, moderately light, without noticeable vibrations.

It is also necessary to focus on the fact that (if adjustments are provided on a specific model) it must have free play.

Signs of a bad clutch

Clutch problems can affect the overall technical condition of the car and affect the safety of both the vehicle itself and other road users.

Symptoms of malfunctions:

If the clutch pedal is mechanically driven, then the reasons are as follows:

malfunctions in the clutch pedal mounting mechanism;
failure of the mechanical clutch engagement drive;
deformation of the clutch fork;
failure of the release bearing;
failure of fork mounting bushings;
wear or deformation of the spring petals;
jamming or jamming of the cable in the braid.

Hard hydraulic clutch pedal, reasons:

fluid leakage from the hydraulic circuit or;
failure of the release bearing guide;
failure of the hydraulic piston of the release bearing;
malfunction of the clutch basket (deformation or wear of the spring);
failure of the working cylinder (damage to the cuffs).

Troubleshooting the clutch drive

As a rule, when one of the signs of a clutch drive malfunction appears, it is necessary to accurately determine the malfunction. If the problem is in the clutch mechanism, it is better to change the entire clutch kit, and not limit yourself to just the part that has failed.

It is also necessary to take into account the high cost of repair work, since it is often necessary to remove not only the clutch itself, but also the gearbox.

Methods for eliminating some clutch faults:

If problems with operation and a tight clutch pedal remain after repair, we can identify a number of other reasons why the clutch is tight. Among them are:

clutch cable wear;
dirt, corrosion in the cable jacket;
lack of lubrication on the clutch fork shaft.

If we are talking about a hydraulic clutch drive, then the reasons may be a malfunction of the clutch master or slave cylinders.

Let us also add that it is important to replace the clutch release fork as a complete set with the clutch assembly when it becomes deformed or worn out. If this is not done, the plug may burst or bend during operation.

Let's sum it up

Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that there are many reasons why the clutch pedal is tight or the clutch is hard. In the process of troubleshooting, you should step by step check the pedal mechanism itself, and then move on to the clutch elements, cables, rods, etc.

Finally, we note that often before the clutch pedal becomes tight, characteristic signs indicate problems that have appeared (traction disappears, jerks, vibrations, noises, etc. appear). For this reason, when the first signs of clutch malfunctions appear, a complete diagnosis of all its elements is necessary.

Ignoring this rule often leads to the fact that a tight or hard clutch pedal can come as a surprise to the driver while on the road. The clutch pedal also fails, the clutch may not “grab”, etc. To avoid such unforeseen breakdowns, the quality of the clutch must be checked at every scheduled maintenance.