Poorly clutch pedal/gearbox!!

[Philws4]

Well i had the fortune that this happened on my way back from a shopping trip about a mile from home this morning so was able to get the car back home BUT this is what has happened.

I was driving along at about 45/50mph and about to put car into 5th when the clutch pedal just went to the floor and stayed there and left me with no gears!!

Managed to get off the main road and limp the car home in what i think was 3rd but only on minimum revs with a slipping clutch.

Checked under the bonnet and saw what i now know to be brake fluid running out underneath the car closely acccompanied by the low brake fluid light flashing/bleeping at me.

I have a gearbox which feels like it has 'frozen' and a clutch pedal which is stuck to the floor (although i can lift it back up manually only for it to stay down the next time it is depressed)

So guy's do i have a MAJOR problem on my hands whereby the box has to come out complete with a clutch change etc etc etc, or do you think it is more likely a hydraulic cylinder failure.

Any help greatly appreciated as always ( trying to save for our wedding at the moment and could do without the extra expense but if engine/gearbox HAVE to come out then who knows what else might get slotted back in )Hybrids any one!!!!

[doeboy]

I've just paid £1700 for a secondhand gearbox, new clutch and flywheel (fitted). I really hope you're in a better situation than me fella!

[jeffw]

Probable the clutch master cylinder rather than the clutch or gearbox itself.

[smurfbus]

I vote for the slave cyl popping. Its not that expencive but a small PITA to change. Although I once also had the slave line go gaboom and it needed a engine pull to get changed.

[Philws4]

If it is the slave cylinder or clutch master cylinder that has gone is this an engine out job to fix or can it be done from underneath on ramps or stands?

[imolas4uk]

it sounds like the clutch slave cylinder it is located on the passenger side of the gearbox,not to bad a job to do,connecting the hydraulic line will be tricky without lowering the rear of the subframe.

[Doug_S2]

i have seen the hydraulic line to the slave cylinde popping off before - it only has a small metal clip holding it in place. access is from the top with the coolant bottle out the way - and the engine cold.

[Philws4]

Thanks for your comments guy's.

Still don't understand how the gear lever has ' semi frozen'.

I have looked around the general area of the gearbox (close to N/S Lambda) and it is covered in fluid so suspect a knackered cylinder of some sort.
I can just about make out an alloy looking bracket with a 8/10mm allen headed bolt which is now just 'floating around' the area close to the end of the fluid pipe and bleeding nipple area.

Is this a DIY job or not?

[Doug_S2]

sounds like the slave cylinder has come out of it's mount on the box - and then popped the rod out the cylinder and leaked everywhere.

Get a new slave cylinder - remove the driveshaft heatshield and you can just get access to get a new cylinder in from underneath.

[Doug_S2]

the adjuster rod might be catching the slave cylinder now it is hanging out?

[Philws4]

Cheers Doug for the info , i will try and get it resolved this week.

[Philws4]

the adjuster rod might be catching the slave cylinder now it is hanging out?

If that is the case can it be repaired/rectified with the box in situ?

[s4yogi]

the adjuster rod might be catching the slave cylinder now it is hanging out?

If that is the case can it be repaired/rectified with the box in situ?

I think what Doug means is the slave cylinder is fouling the gear selector hence the poor movement of the gearstick, Be ok when new cylinder is fitted good luck

[Philws4]

Well due to a severe lack of time,resources, my geographical position and the inability to move the car at all i have had the car trailored to QST this week to have this problem sorted, and after speaking to Kim on Friday it is sounding like they might need to remove the gearbox to rectify the fault
It all seems very strange that the gear lever has gone very stiff

Still if that's the case at least i will end up with an RS4 clutch!!
How do these compare to the S4 ones? any lighter/heavier??

A tip for anyone who is about to renew their car insurance,(because these cars can't be towed any distance or speed) make sure you have comprehensive breakdown cover as mine was only a basic policy that would only get me home or to the 'nearest' garage, which unless your very very lucky is not going to be to the likes of QST or MRC.

[Philws4]

Got the car back this evening complete with new RS4 clutch and slave cylinder.
All that had happened was the bolt that holds the cylinder/bracket to the side of the gearbox had broken due to metal fatigue and as a result left me with the symptons above.
What a PITA this has turned out to be, a £1.50 part causing so much grief!!!!
However QST have done a great job and the end result is pleasing. At least i know my clutch will last for a good while to come.