New Clutch Very Light Pedal

[tequilagrae]

I have just had the clutch changed on my 2L Capri, the clutch pedal is now very light with almost no resistance. Even compared to my wife's polo.
Is this normal?
It seems to work ok, maybe it had an uprated clutch in before but it feels really odd being so light.
To give you an idea, previously it was just about pushable with my hand but it was a struggle, now it can be pushed with one finger.

[Rich]

Weirdest 'customer complaint' I've heard yet- 'my car is now easier to drive'

It's fine. It's just had clutch grease put on the input shaft splines.

[steveo3002]

old tired clutches do seem to get heavy

[TurboDieselWeasel]

+1

Here's an example; look at the spring tips worn away by the throw out bearing!



And compared to "normal" worn clutch:



It's not hard to imagine the forces needed for the bearing to "glide" over the extremly worn springs in the first picture. The pedal was as stiff as a lamp post - with a new clutch it felt like no resistance at all at first. You get used to a heavy clutch. And the new clutch feels weird at first... As long as it's working fine - all is good. Don't worry!

[Kieran]

Didn't the do a 'low lift' clutch kit for the pinto engine?

That was meant to be a lighter operation

[bortaf]

Nov 15, 2014 19:22:11 GMT Kieran said:

Didn't the do a 'low lift' clutch kit for the pinto engine?

That was meant to be a lighter operation

I think that was just on the twincam with the MT75, they had 2 clutches and adjusters.

[tequilagrae]

Cool, thankyou, I'll get used to it then

[ChasR]

Indeed the above has explained it better than I could. Another reason a clutch goes heavy is due to the fingers on the clutch cover hardening over time with the heat cycles.

With the exception of 2 cars I have owned (the Escort ; that is on a very harsh 4 paddle clutch where I may try something a little creative) and an Espace ; I fitted a Transmech clutch to that with the operation becoming heavier than the old clutch!) almost every clutch change has resulted in a surprising difference in the pedal feel where either a Genuine or a good quality clutch (Sachs etc.) has been used (my 306 DT became stupidly light on the new clutch for a 306, as did my now sold Mondeo V6 on a genuine clutch (the LUK broke before it left the garage) and my old Focus from years ago.

And yet there are still people who will try to only change the centre plate on a clutch which has over 100k on it and is over 30 years old ; yes I am aware people used to do it years ago when you could get away with just changing the centreplate due to being able to simply remove the gearbox back enough to simply only change the cover) ; I have seen a few people come a cropper here (with either the clutch slipping) or the clutch still being horrible to use.