406oc.co.uk

Hi guys!!

I have a strange problem. The clutch pedal on the 406 (01 hdi 90) occasionally won't fully return to the 'off/engaged' position. This is easily rectified by pulling it fully up with my size 10. It doesn't really bother me but I'd just love to know what it is.

Now for the strange part - if i try to put the car into gear when pressing the clutch from the 'lower' position it will not go in. yet if i pull the pedal back up and then try, gear selecty no problemo!! This would suggest that it's not cable related as the biting point wouldn't change as a result of the pedal return position.

Could it be the hydraulics??

Help would be appreciated.

Cheers

Cooks

Could be, what's the fluid level like?

Naaaaaaa it can't be fluid Steve, else your brakes would be crap (I'm sure that they have a common supply), must be self adjusting mech.

muffindell wrote:Naaaaaaa it can't be fluid Steve, else your brakes would be crap (I'm sure that they have a common supply)

D9 clutches are linked to the brakes? Eww! The nice and easy separate sealed-for-life D8 hydraulic clutches are definitely a bag of win then!

mjb wrote:D9 clutches are linked to the brakes? Eww! The nice and easy separate sealed-for-life D8 hydraulic clutches are definitely a bag of win then!

Yeah but it's teh wait-saving innit makes our D9'z faster

Nah, they just share the same reservoir, like many other cars. Anyway, when one part of the sealed system goes you have to buy the whole lot. You can't change the fluid either.

I was thinking maybe there's a fluid leak and the level had got down to the clutch feed (which is higher than the brake feeds), well worth investigating if it was. What's this about an adjuster? *reaches for Haynes BoL* Looks like it is hydraulic, so why would it need an adjuster? (unless there's something completely different on early 90s ).

I'm sure I remember before the hackerisation that someone else had this and it as something at the "business end" of the clutch not engaging/disengaging properly.

Just a stab in the dark you could always try bleeding the clutch. As it could be an air lock just an idea It only takes a few mins to do.

steve_earwig wrote:Nah, they just share the same reservoir, like many other cars. Anyway, when one part of the sealed system goes you have to buy the whole lot. You can't change the fluid either.

Why would you need to change the fluid? It's away from heat and under very low pressure, unlike brake fluid... I do think a separate system is a lot better.

I've been trying to think of whether or not I'd actually like to have detachable pipework and a couple of bleed valves... On one hand it'd be cheaper to replace individual parts, but the whole system is a piece of cake to replace and a lot less messy

I thought you changed brake/clutch fluid? As i always have every 3 to 4 years. As

When my fluid was changed last it was bled not just on the brake side clutch side to as it can sometimes develop a bit of air in there. My clutch pedal felt alot firmer after.

Just slightly off topic most car companies are now using the shitty dual mass flywheels so its not just peugeots!!!!

mjb wrote:Why would you need to change the fluid? It's away from heat and under very low pressure, unlike brake fluid... I do think a separate system is a lot better.

I've been trying to think of whether or not I'd actually like to have detachable pipework and a couple of bleed valves... On one hand it'd be cheaper to replace individual parts, but the whole system is a piece of cake to replace and a lot less messy

A separate system with a separate reservior. I dunno, I think a sealed system has a lot of merrits, the biggest problem with DOT 4 brake fluid is it's hygroscopic, which is the main reason you need to change it every few years. It also fills up with crud from the seals as they wear out, I'm not sure if this has much of an effect on it's performance, maybe less than the seals wearing out...

Anyway, back to the matter in hand: is it a hydraulic system? Does it have this ratchet? If it doesn't (and the fluid's ok) then I reckon the master cylinder's in trouble.

Thanks guys,

I'll have a look at the fluid and think about a bleed / change. I'm pretty sure there are no leaks but i'll look closer!!

Cheers