S1 Elise Clutch Mechanism Issues - Self-Fix Or Garage Job?

[GreyKnight]

Well I’ve been at this for a while now, managed to get the clutch release arm moving at least, but even after using WD40 and later 3-in-1 penetrating oil the arm is still very stiff. I can’t move it by hand without a long bar to use as a lever.

Also, in the process of using a lever I’ve split the spider hose that goes to the coolant header tank so that just drips water now. I’ve ordered a silicone replacement from Eliseparts. My intention is to remove the spider hose completely to give me better access, then try the lever route again with more penetrating oil over a couple of hours. I refuse to believe it’s non-recoverable. If a garage managed it before I must be able to do it too. I don’t understand what the garage did last time though because they told me they used lots of oil and a hammer, but there’s no room to use a hammer in there and there’s no signs of the arm having been struck. They didn't charge me enough to have taken the gearbox out either - Weird.

I just can’t afford to take it to a garage at the moment, not after having moved house last month – I’m completely skint and no doubt I wouldn’t see much change from £1,000 to have this sorted…

It is a really stupid design!

[danwebster]

You won't move it very far by hand as there isn't a lot of free room before the clutch release bearing hits the cover plate.

 

It does sound as if you just need to free up that clutch arm though, get plenty of lube in it and keep pumping it in and out (even if out requires some manual assistance for a while)

[GreyKnight]

Thanks Dan, yes the issue is that I can't see a way to get the lube in properly. I can't imagine that just squirting it around the entrance to the bell housing is going to achieve much, I could do with a way of keeping the area submerged in penetrating oil. I thought about using blu-tac or something to build a cup reservoir under the assembly then filling it with oil - but I think the oil would just leak out of the cup before it went in to the bell housing LOL.

 

Oh well, I guess I haven't got much to lose by trying...

[Martin R]

The design is not as stupid as the one on our Fiesta. The slave cylinder is inside the bell housing. If it leaks you have to remove the gearbox as i well know. Good luck.

[GreyKnight]

Okay, I gave up today and went to see a sports car specialist who happens to have a unit on the same trading estate as my work. They quoted £280 + VAT labour to get the gearbox out and sort the problem, they are even collecting the car from my parents' place for free which is great as the guy lives not too far away.

 

I'm going to buy the uprated clutch lever and get them to fit it, also check the clutch itself and see if it needs doing (probably won't having only done 42k).

[danwebster]

Christ I'm in the wrong business....I could do it on your drive in three hours.

[GreyKnight]

What gearbox out and back in on my drive in three hours?

 

Maybe you could, but I just don't have the time to mess about Dan and i have no way of getting the car far enough off the ground...

[danwebster]

Yes! I removed my own, split the box, replaced 5th gear, reassembled it and re-fitted it in 4 hours.

 

I should really quit my job and open a garage...