Clutch pedal

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Nick123
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Sometimes - but not always - the clutch pedal on my 460 only returns half way after having been pushed down to change gear. When it does not return properly the driver needs to flick it back up with their toecap.

Although I have soaked the return spring and the  horizontal shaft in lube there seems to be no improvement.

This can make low speed maneuvering tricky.

Am I missing something obvious, I wonder?

Many thanks for any advice.

Nick.

Pistonhead
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Re: Cluch pedal

Seems as though
clutchh master and, or clutch cylinder may have air lock, fluid old or rubber seals becoming supple. Firstly, my attempt would be bleed; renewing brake fluid in the whole system. Should pedal be the same my suspicions would fall initially with the master cylinder. Report back after fluid rewal.

Nick123
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Re: Cluch pedal

Thank you, Rakesh, as ever. That makes sense to me. I will start by bleeding the master cylinder when I get a chance and let you know how I get on.

All the best, Nick.

G-Restorations
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Re: Cluch pedal

Been thinking about this since you texted me Nick, I think your pedal box may have the overcentre clutch assister Spring which may need lubricating. If it hasn't it may be the slave cal sticking. 

It's one of those jobs you'd have to see to be able to diagnose properly, has your friendly spanner had a look?

Gordon

g wagon g
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Re: Cluch pedal

my g wagon did the same

i know its a 463 but its the same set up basically

the fluid was full but i decided to do slave and master cyl seal kits

Gearbox end it might be cheaper to get a cylinder complete from a motor factor as some interchange

I could not believe the seals did not leak as the rubbers inside were shot. Basically it was the piston pushing clutch as the rubbers were so damaged they did nothing

If i kept the clutch depressed, which i dont as i put it in neutral it would let fluid past and eventually start moving. Lucky i was off road when it happened. No worry but it made it home easy enough as i just did not hold clutch down at junctions

When you pull pedal up from half way im sure it will move easy. If so its the above

I will be amazed if the clutch pedal is seizing up but let me know

                                     Gaz

Nick123
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Re: Cluch pedal
Many, many thanks for your thoughts and advice. I've been away - hence this tardy acknowledgement. I REALLY hope it's a simple matter of squooshing the over-centre spindle and spring with Magic WD40 as I know from experience that changing seals and bleeding the system is not a five minute job. We'll see how things go and I will report back. P.S. I have just noticed my typo of "cluch" without tea. I'll put the kettle on now to make amends.
bigblock
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Re: Cluch pedal

Nick Norris wrote:
....... P.S. I have just noticed my typo of "cluch" without tea. I'll put the kettle on now to make amends.

Sorted the bad spelling for you  smiley.

 

Nick123
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Re: Cluch pedal

Almost a month on and here's where we are...

The clutch fluid reservoir has never lost any fluid and the clutch pedal bites where it feels right, so I have been reluctant to get stuck in and change anything there.

The "over centre assister" is a new one on me but it strikes me that Herman the German would not have gone to all the trouble and expense of designing it and installing it to no purpose.

Brow furrowed, I explored and pondered further.

So far all that I have done is to copiously lubricate the over centre assister assembly and adjust the threaded rod from the clutch pedal to it by winding it out.

So far the clutch pedal still appears to bite where it should and, so far, it has always returned as it should.

Perhaps that's it for now?

I certainly hope so!

Many thanks to everyone who has scratched their heads and given counsel on this subject.

Here's wishing you all well.

Nick.

prwales
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Re: Cluch pedal

seals fail within the master cylinder and the slave cylinder so you can have a problem in either without any fluid loss

Nick123
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Re: Clutch pedal

Surely, after three years of untangling Peter Nieuman's rascally legacy, I am due a break?  crying

Ever the optimist...  wink

prwales
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Re: Clutch pedal

rubber deteriorates over time, I've had both slave and master cylinders replaced on my ge463, neither are expensive items as they are from the corresponding car model of the era  

G-Restorations
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Re: Clutch pedal

Nick. At risk of repeating myself, take the assister off, it doesn't need it,  Mercedes sacked it off and it that that's giving you the issues.

I have your seal btw

Gordon

Nick123
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Re: Clutch pedal

I know, I know, Gordon... I do understand.

However, everything seems to be fine and I'm out of time until July so for now the simplest is to leave the clutch mechanism as it is: apparently happy, working smoothly and biting positively as it should.

I've driven boring repmobiles with fiercer and  stiffer clutches.

All the best, Nick.

 

 

Nick123
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Re: Clutch pedal
Rakesh was right (07.05.16) With no available window of time I struggled on. The clutch worked... more or less... unless it was asked to do too much. e.g. reversing a heavy trailer slowly up a twisty hill. Eventually (two and a half years later!) the situation had to be addressed. A spannerman colleague suggested looking at the hydraulic fluid. In my sweet innocence I had assumed that a relatively recent new clutch would have also meant new fluid. However, when we bled the system the existing fluid was a dirty dark grey. New fluid improved things - up to a point. I pondered replacing the clutch master cylinder. Hmmm... £££ Fortunately for me a legendary purveyor of quality parts was (yet again) able to help. Thank you G.H. "A 000 290 33 12" gets a clutch master cylinder repair kit which includes a new piston, seals, rubber boot and associated gubbins. Assembly is straightforward with fastidious cleanliness being key to success. The refurbished master clutch cylinder with gloriously clear hydraulic fluid seems to have done the trick. Thank you to everyone in the cheery and knowledgeable G-W world who has helped me and many others. All the best, Nick.