Clutch pedal vibration

[steve_earwig]

Run it in the dark?

I meant to have a look at the release bearing, I'm in horror that you could take the 'box off again to find it was something completely unrelated.

[mjb]

Took the engine cover off, unplugged the HT leads in turn. 2 of them spark through the coil pack to the rocker cover when the HT leads are disconnected, which to me says it's easier to spark an inch to the engine than it is to get to the plug

Went to see if the wells were full of oil or if the springs in the extensions had broken or something... and couldn't I can't get the allen bolts undone! I know I didn't put them in that tight... Guess it's something that must be done with a cold engine. Erk! Think I'll have to do it in the car park after work when the coil pack I got on ebay turns up

[mjb]

Got my coil pack plonked on my desk about 15 mins ago. Now on the car and it feels a lot better (although I didn't do much more than stick it in 1st+reverse with the handbrake on...). Think that's definitely a good sign

15 mins for a V6 coil pack change (including use of an impact driver on every single one of the coil pack bolts ). Not bad, eh?

Got a fair drive before I go home tonight so I hope it's all good...

[steve_earwig]

Still on your way?

[teamster1975]

I think Matt got collared at work according to facebook! The joys of IT support.

[Captain Jack]

Matt Burke: Awaiting friend confirmation

[mjb]

Haha well my car's got a lot more power since replacing the coil pack, but it only made the vibrations better - it didn't cure them.

I do however now know what the problem is - the clip holding the release bearing in. How do I know this? Because I just got a tow home off the AA. As I was joining the A500 (70mph dual carriageway, naturally ) the clutch pedal didn't come back up after a gear change. Pulled it up and found it solid. So I had a look under the bonnet.

Took the air filter box out, removed the cylinder and found it felt perfectly normal. After everything cooled down a bit (clutches get hot you know!) I had a feel inside the bell housing and found the release fork in the "clutch disengaged" position. OK. Grabbed the hook from the scissor jack and pulled the fork back, slamming the release bearing into the pressure plate. Felt like it was in the 'engaged' position so pushed the fork expecting unmovable resistance, and it just went in

There's also a rattle coming from the bell housing when the engine's moving now, so my guess is that's the clip, which has come free from the bearing

So that's the best part of £100 for a new release bearing from the dealers, and a weekend of pain to fit it again

I f*cking hate this f*cking piece of sh*t car Why can't it just work?

However I do suspect it's my own fault. I had to bend the clip back into shape after Jasper locked it into the clutch off the car. Obviously I got it wrong and now have to pay the price.

[steve_earwig]

Bumholes Sorry to hear you have to do it all again Matt, if you were just a tad closer giving you a hand would be a welcome relief from sodding tiling.

[teamster1975]

Sorry to hear that Matt, at least you shouldn't have any seized bolts to contend with!

[mjb]

Just hope I can get the gearbox mount pin off after Jasper undid it a couple of months ago. That'll make life a hell of a lot easier. Still, urgh...

30th birthday this weekend too, so I ain't working on it then (not that I'll be in any state to...) so I'm going to be a long time without my car again

Got to order me a couple of new wheel hub nuts from the dealers too. Should update my howto to mention you can only get away with using a 36mm socket on the 35mm nuts once

[teamster1975]

You can probably write off the whole of next week if it's your 30th!
And congrats for the weekend, I'll raise a glass or two! (or three etc... )

[mjb]

You can probably write off the whole of next week if it's your 30th!

Well, beer and Rock Band 2 on Fri night, probably beer on Sat morning+afternoon to kill the hangover and keep momentum going, then Sat night an all-night drinking session at the local rock/metal joint until 6am... then... work on Monday because I forgot to book time off

[teamster1975]

work on Monday because I forgot to book time off

I sense a sickie coming on

[Captain Jack]

Have you done any work on this or are you still hung over from the big three oh?

[mjb]

I've not yet, no. It's hard to find the motivation to do a job like this AGAIN, especially when it's so cold in the garage...

Really got to get around to ordering the parts from the dealers...