Clutch adjustment on Renault espace?

[NoSpam]

The clutch pedal bite point is rather high (tired clutch I guess). I thought there was an adjuster somewhere but it's hydraulic. Is there some way to adjust the master cylinder linkage?

Dave

[Sylvain VAN DER WALDE]

That is usually the sign of badly worn clutch centre plate friction linings. If the clutch slips, with the car in top gear and the handbrake firmly on; this will confirm it. If you definitely have a good handbrake, this test should stall the engine. It may already be too late; as if the centre plate is not renewed in good time, its lining rivets will score the clutch pressure plate. Definitely, if the rivets are made of brass or copper; and possibly, if they are made of aluminium.

Generally speaking, hydraulic clutch linkages have no adjustment. A few have an adjustment; but this carried out when the vehicle is new; and if it hasn't been interfered with, can be ignored.

Sylvain.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Only to set the initial clearance between pedal and piston. After that the slave cylinder self adjusts.

[The Natural Philosopher]

Yes..shortly your clutch will start slipping in top gear..that wears the last bit out VERY quickly.

[Sylvain VAN DER WALDE]

I should have added that if you fail to replace your clutch centre plate in good time, it will probably also score (damage) the flywheel surface (this will require a service exchange, or new flywheel assembly)

Sylvain.

[NoSpam]

Now there's a cheery thought! Fortunately there's no slippage at the moment. The clutch was changed at 30k because of a manufacturing fault and since then the car's done about 70k miles; it should be good for a bit longer yet. I thought I'd been told that there was an adjustment at the pedal-cylinder linkage or at the slave cylinder, but all I can see is a pedal stop which limits the height of the pedal.

Dave

[The Natural Philosopher]

An awful lot depends on how the car is driven. Cars driven by people who have changed clutches once themselves have clutches that last forever.

Clutches can be toast in a few days if someone can't really do a proper hill start, or rides the clutch with the left foot.

Town driving really takes it out of them too.

[Sylvain VAN DER WALDE]

Yes, it's important that the clutch is not "overstroked". The old Austin Mini had an adjustable stop for that purpose; once set, it should not require to be touched again.

Sylvain.

[Sylvain VAN DER WALDE]

How very true. I used to know a driver (a chauffeur) whose clutch needed renewing at less than 5,000 miles. He just couldn't get used to the new (at the time) _diaphragm_ clutch. Its "take-up" was far less progressive than the coil spring clutch that it replaced.

Sylvain.