Hi Sawman,
Clutches are usually hydraulic or cable operated.
Hydraulic type - If it is like mine then it is hydraulic and given you are having trouble engaging gears (are you getting grating noises particularly trying to engage reverse?) then the hydraulic system may need bleeding, just like you would for the brakes. If there is any air entrained in the system then bleeding will remove it and this should allow the release bearing to move further against the pressure plate and give you full release of the clutch friction plate. If bleeding the hydraulics hasn't worked you'll need to look at other options. It could be that the seals in the hydraulic cylinders are worn and passing some fluid, you may see signs of this where the actuating rods enter the cylinders, or a low fluid level in the master cylinder. If so then you will need a repair kit or new cylinders. Alternatively, if the the release bearing is the carbon type, it could be that the release bearing is worn down, which could give you similar symptoms. This would need a gearbox and clutch assembly removal to replace it. (Note: If the release bearing is the roller bearing type this won't apply).
Cable type - If your clutch is cable operated it may be that the cable has stretched with time and use. It should be possible to adjust the cable length (shorten it slightly) to restore the correct amount of pull on the clutch release bearing with the clutch pedal fully depressed. Again, if this doesn't work it may the release bearing that has worn down as for the hydraulic option above, requiring the gearbox removal. If the cable doesn't have any adjustment facility, then it should be possible to change it without the need to remove the gearbox and clutch assembly.
Hope this helps, MZ.
Last edited by MonteZooma; 15/12/12 10:57 AM.
