Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Fri 25 Nov 2005 07:53
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - Andrew Scott
My niece has just purchased a 1.2 Vauxhall Corsa (1999).I have not seen
the car, but my sister has informed me there appears to be a problem with the clutch (i.e.It is difficult to select reverse gear without crunching, and the gearchange is generally poor).
My sister also informs me that the biting point for the clutch is very low (near the floor).

I believe this car has a cable clutch but I stand to be corrected (I have not seen the car),is it likely the cable has streched out of adjustment (i.e.Failing) or is the problem likely to be the main clutch components contaminated with oil.

Any comments would be most welcome.

Andrew
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Nov 2005 10:17
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - RichardW
If it's a cable clutch, then it could be needing adjustment. However, it seems to me far more likely that the clutch is worn out. Assuming she bought it from a dealer, than back to him with it!
--
RichardW

Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Nov 2005 10:33
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - bell boy
unlikely cable has stretched unless its a ex bsm corsa?,the cables are adjustable on top of the gearbox but more likely clutch worn out,the linkage knuckle from the linkage rods on top of the box tends to wear out as well which can make reverse impossible to find.
As said seeing as she is a lady she will have sensibly bought it from a dealer i also suggest she takes it back and gets them to sort it as its unfit for purpose (lets hope she didn"t get the dealer to chip the price and she therefore bought it on trade terms?)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Nov 2005 18:04
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - John S
Andrew

Yes, adjustable clutch cable on these. Unlikely to be worn clutch, as these bite 'high', not 'low'. Adjustment is at g/box end of cable. The correct setting is to get a certain stroke on the pedal. Can't remember the figure, but adjust the cable so the clutch sits as high or a few mm higher than the brake pedal and you won't be far wrong.

JS
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Nov 2005 18:53
Corsa - Dynamic Dave
Agree with John S's comments, but I *beleive* later clutch pedals sit slightly lower than the brake pedal. Even if you set the clutch pedal at exactly the same height as the brake pedal, it won't be far out.

With regard to the reverse gear crunching, they all do it to a point as reverse gear is a straight cut gear and not hellically cut like the forward gears are. Before selecting reverse, select one of the forward gears beforehand, or wait a few seconds with the clutch pedal down before engagind reverse.

auto.howstuffworks.com/gear2.htm
auto.howstuffworks.com/gear3.htm
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Nov 2005 19:02
Corsa - RichardW
Not wanting to split hairs, but the crunch is because reverse is not permanently meshed, rather than because it's straight cut...

I still reckon this Corsa needs a new clutch though!
--
RichardW

Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 25 Nov 2005 20:11
Corsa - Number_Cruncher
I think Richard W has it exactly right. I would be much surprised if a new clutch were not required.

Richard's explanation of the reverse gear behaviour is also spot on.

Number_Cruncher
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 26 Nov 2005 10:43
Corsa - sierraman
If the clutch is worn it would be slipping,this sounds closer to dragging so not disconnecting from engine properly thus giving difficult gear change.Reverse gear generally does not have synchro,not much point as you do not engage it while the car is moving,unless you are a stunt driver.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 26 Nov 2005 10:48
Corsa - mjm
Sierraman, tend to agree with you. The simple option here is to adjust the clutch as mentioned above, see if the operation returns to normal, and if not then replace.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 24 Feb 2012 22:00
Corsa - NWO4LIFE

hi well ive got a corsa b i put on a new cable and clucth kit on it but now i find that now d pedal is heigher dan d brakes an also it bite very high any idea on wot to do or is that normal an also sum times i find 1st gear a bit hart to get in

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 28 Nov 2005 07:31
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - Andrew Scott
Thanks everyone for their replies, the problem was caused by the cable adjustment nut moving on its thread. (My brother in law fixed this himself).
The gear change is still poorish rubbery and imprecise, I think I shall buy some bushes,roll pin etc. from my vauxhall dealer, and overhaul the gear-change linkage, and of course set up the adjustment afterwards-It should then be a very nice first car to drive!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 28 Nov 2005 10:11
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - Dynamic Dave
Thanks everyone for their replies....


And thanks for providing feedback on what the problem was. That doesn't always happen on here.

Try www.autovaux.co.uk for the gearlinkage parts rather than Vauxhall. Genuine parts but cheaper.


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 28 Nov 2005 12:15
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - bell boy
make sure you take the chassis no. with you to dealers as the uj changed slightly on this year get new pin and hopefully the battery tray comes out on yours to facilitate making job easier as it is difficult to do.
With regards clutch cable undoing if only one nut on cable after the rubber grommet source another one and lock it with the first one to stop it moving again
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 29 Nov 2005 13:09
Corsa "B" Model Clutch problem - John S
While you're doing the linkage work, it's worth lifting up the gear lever gaiter and putting plenty of grease on the plastic bearings and 'gate' at the base of the gear lever. Yhey seem to come out of the factory with very little lubricant. Doing this has improved the gearchange on my last couple of vauxhalls.

JS
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide