Lifesabeach26 Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Hello all, Had my Zed for 2-3 months now and it’s been great through the winter as my daily. However, this morning I couldn’t get it into first when the car was on, I eventually did with a bit of wiggling and force. I had issues through all gears all the way to work - 5 Miles. Never had this before - it isn’t the cold because it’s been the same all day and was fine through Xmas. When the car is off it flies through the gears with no issues - with and without the clutch in. Im not hugely technical when it comes to cars - had a friend at work look at it and he says the hydraulic fluid is a little dark but no leaks. He’s asked me to check the clutch rod goes in and out under the car when the clutch is pressed in. Any other thoughts though please? Anyone had the same issue / am I okay to drive the car or not? (It’s my daily) thanks kieran Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifesabeach26 Posted January 16, 2018 Author Share Posted January 16, 2018 Interesting update - I just put the car into reverse with the clutch before starting the car - it flew through the gears with no issues.... very confused now I’ll try again later without doing the above Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPod Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Seems normal to me. I have a de and 1st and 2nd gear always seems difficult to get into the first 10mins. Once warmed up its totally fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifesabeach26 Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 It struggled to get into every gear for half the day... even when warmed up... very weird I’ll see how it goes this morning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifesabeach26 Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 New update - sadly a bad update Tried again the morning, cannot get into gear whilst the car has started, so I put it into gear with the car off and reversed off my drive - cannot shift into 1st at all. So car off into first and then start the car, the car nearly stalled with my clutch in in first starting up and if I take my foot off the brake it slowly pulls the car (with the clutch in) again cannot change gear at all now. Tried a few different things to get more info - put it in first (with car off) tried to turn the ignition on and it made a horrible screech noise so I didn’t want to do anything else. Managed to park the car as when I reversed off I made sure I wasn’t in anyone’s way and ordered a taxi. Bad start to today - any other help would be great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Could be a hydraulic issue, have you checked your fluid level? Both the DE and HR have slave cyl issues. De slaves are external and HR are internal. You have made no reference to how the clutch pedal feels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifesabeach26 Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 I had a look at the fluid yesterday and it is quite dark. Photo attached Clutch seems the same as before - However it is a very stiff clutch anyway, the clutch was changed for a racing clutch from the previous owner .... unfortunately I can’t remember what it’s called Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keyser Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 I would give that a flush and see how that improves things, if no improvement I would be looking at the either the slave cylinder or the clutch itself, sounds like it is not fully disengaging. As @ZMANALEX has said they can have issues, AFAIK they do upgrades for both the DE and HR although a lot of the time the problem goes if you just swap it out for a good unit and upgrade to a braided line. More recently I have heard of master cylinders being the issue but that is less common than the slave cylinder problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob332 Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 (edited) Hi mate, I had a similar issue to what you are experiencing. Gradually my gear changes were getting stiffer and stiffer, however I just put it down to it being common on the zed. Then the clutch pedal dropped to the floor coming back from a trip to Newcastle and there was no resistance at all. Managed to pull over and my first thought was a failed slave cylinder. Got it recovered, looked underneath and I could see that the slave cylinder push rod had slipped from the release arm. Removed the gearbox and it turned out where the clutch release arm pivots had failed and bent. replaced the release arm fitted a new slave also, and all ok. Now the gear changes are significantly smoother. The release arm had been gradually bending causing the stiffer changes until it eventually failed. As per advice above, I would check the slave first and if there is no issue there then you may have to remove the box to check further. I read later that upgraded clutches can put extra stress on the release arm and replacing the release arm or checking it when doing the clutch is often over looked, even if you are just fitting an OEM clutch. Edited January 17, 2018 by Rob332 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZMANALEX Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 Good point Rob Clutch forks and uprated pivot balls are in stock if required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifesabeach26 Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 So next steps for me are to jack it up and check the space cylinder under the car? I have been informed it was replaced about a year ago with a new line and it’s external. So jack it up, get someone to press the clutch and just monitor the movement? i appreciate all your help so far guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob332 Posted January 17, 2018 Share Posted January 17, 2018 If the slave cylinder has been replaced and there are no leaks, I would suggest the next step would be to remove the gearbox. It won't hurt having a look under the car for anything obvious first, but It appears your issue lies in the area around the clutch / flywheel where you can only really see if the gearbox is removed. If you're not mechanically minded you may wish to get a garage to look at it, as from the info you have provided it doesn't seem to be a DIY job. Its going to be approx. 4 hours labour to remove and refit the gearbox. Then depending on what the issue is maybe an extra hour. I hope you manage to get it sorted soon mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifesabeach26 Posted January 17, 2018 Author Share Posted January 17, 2018 Thanks for the advise - you’re right I’m definitely not a DIY when it comes to cars. However, got a mechanic mate coming over Saturday to take a look at it. Fingers crossed it’s a small pay out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob332 Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, zedz said: I haven't read all of the above, but could it be lack of gearbox oil? Could be. Or even the quality of the oil that has been put in previously. Edited January 18, 2018 by Rob332 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob332 Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 22 hours ago, zedz said: Alas, gearbox oil does tend to get overlooked, perhaps because it is not in your face when you open the bonnet like the engine oil dipstick is. so the problem could be an easy fix. I wouldn't suggest it would be an easy fix if lack of oil has caused the fault. You would be looking at an overhaul or new gearbox based on the symptoms described by the op. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lifesabeach26 Posted January 26, 2018 Author Share Posted January 26, 2018 Hey guys, Just to confirm, I had it collected £50 for recovery so not too bad. The mechanic bled the hydraulic fluid and replaced it and it’s solved the issue. He’s asked me to keep an eye out. Could be air in the fluid - just concerned about how it got in the fluid Thank you for your help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob332 Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 good result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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