MatraSport Forum

Each model => Murena => Topic started by: davidewanprice on May 15, 2007, 08:24:18 pm



Title: Gear linkage or clutch?
Post by: davidewanprice on May 15, 2007, 08:24:18 pm
Heres another question, my gears are hard work... and i'm worried that continued use as they are is gonna cost me money. First is good as long as the clutch it totally planted, second feels really tight and hard to access, third ok and forth grinds even when the clutch is fully planted. Fifth seems to be odd as well, its in the normal place, fairly easy to access but feels like your pushing the lever slightly diagonal, fluid levels are good. any tips?


Title: Re: Gear linkage or clutch?
Post by: gizmo on May 15, 2007, 09:07:25 pm

Hi,

I'm fairly new to murena's but a clutch is more or less the same on all cars. If the gears are grinding that's a clutch problem not gear linkage. There are two possabilities 1- air in the fluid line not allowing the clutch to fully disengage (this will give you a spongy pedal) and can be checked by watching the clutch lever movement while the pedal is operated. Try pumping the pedal several times before engaging the gears, if this makes an improvement this would point towards a fluid problem. 2- mechanical failure of the clutch drive or pressure plate would also cause this problem (not to be confused with a worn drive plate which would cause the clutch to slip). Replacement is the only option.

I hope this helps.

Steve


Title: Re: Gear linkage or clutch?
Post by: lewisman on May 15, 2007, 09:27:16 pm
David

Unless your gear lever feels like it is swimming in a bowl of porage it is probably not the linkage.

My experience is of Talbot gearbox problems is based on Bagheeras, Ranchos and Horizons rather than the 2.2 murena which has a Citroen box but the clutch works in the same way.   It is a hydraulic clutch, as opposed to a cable, with a small master cylinder directly connected to the pedal and a slave cylinder at the gearbox end.  

A sure sign that the system is not working properly is a very low biting point.  This usually means that there is air in the system and the most common culprit is the slave cylinder.  For Bagheeras etc with the 4-speed box (and the early 5-speed one fitted to some Talbots) this could help destroy the syncromesh resulting in a good crunch when engaging gears - especially second gear (not sure why this one is usually the first to go).

Depending on how easy it is to get at on the murena, the slave cylinder can sometimes be repaired by being stripped down and cleaned up with 800 - 1200 wet and dry paper. It all depends on how much corrosion is there.  

I have no idea what the availability of seals kits or replacement cylinders are. There is a Simca one on fleabay but you would need to check the part numbers.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIMCA-1301-CLUTCH-MASTER-CYLINDER_W0QQitemZ120118030432QQihZ002QQcategoryZ9903QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Perhaps someone else can advise.

Another possible problem could be a fault release bearing but this is usually accompanied by a lot of noise wheh you press the pedal.

Good luck.

David


Title: Re: Gear linkage or clutch?
Post by: davidewanprice on May 16, 2007, 12:46:52 am
thanks for the interest, to be honest i thought it may be a problem in both departments, the clutch (as with the brake) do feel sponge like, biting point is a little low but not that bad. The clutch is almost new. Guess i need it looking at... Just booked it in for tuning on the roling road at my local specialist.. I can see me needing to sell bodyparts on ebay again!


Title: Re: Gear linkage or clutch?
Post by: davidewanprice on May 16, 2007, 12:55:56 am
thanks for the interest, to be honest i thought it may be a problem in both departments, the clutch (as with the brake) do feel sponge like, biting point is a little low but not that bad. It does improve with use, i thought it was as the gearbox warmed but maybe its more just  down to use! Is it an easy job to bleed? Oh and the clutch is almost new. Guess i need it looking at... Just booked it in for tuning on the roling road at my local specialist.. I can see me needing to sell bodyparts on ebay again!


Title: Re: Gear linkage or clutch?
Post by: lewisman on May 16, 2007, 12:58:44 am
The main culprit for a sloppy gear shift is what they refer to as the "top hat" bush (when you see one you will understand) at the base of the gear lever.  Will at Matra Magic sells them for not much money so it is worth replacing it.