Replace and adjust the clutch cable of Lada Granta

On the Lada Granta, the cable-driven clutch is a fairly reliable element. However, the drive itself wears out quite actively during the operation of the vehicle, resulting in:

• Grant's clutch cable stretches and breaks (the problem is solved by replacing the clutch cable);
• the Grant clutch is also adjusted (the required pedal travel and the moment of “grabbing” the clutch are set);

It is important to take into account a number of nuances both when removing the old cable and when installing and subsequently adjusting the new cable. Read more in our article.

Clutch cable: how the drive works

Cars can be equipped with two types of clutch engagement and release drives:

• mechanical cable drive;
• lever hydraulic drive.

At the same time, cable clutch release is widely used on budget cars with front-wheel drive. This is exactly the clutch cable installed on the Grant by the manufacturer. This cable is responsible for connecting the pedal to the fork.

On a Lada Granta, the clutch in good condition operates with medium hardness, as the manufacturer tried to balance the settings. The clutch pedal of the Lada Granta cannot be called too light, there is a certain rigidity, but the clutch is not too tight either.

When the driver presses the clutch pedal, the fork moves. In turn, the fork retracts the clutch disc (the clutch disengages), the engine and transmission are disconnected, due to which the Lada Grant’s clutch “opens”, and you can change gears softly and smoothly.

Review of Manufacturer Prices

*prices are current as of October 29, 2018.

Recommendations for the selection of parts and components

When choosing components, give preference to high-quality parts with original catalog numbers. Purchase spare parts from certified points of sale, official representative offices, and dealers.

To a lesser extent, use the services of unverified intermediaries who sell products at reduced prices. Cheapness is the first sign of a fake.

When is it necessary to change the clutch cable?

As a rule, replacing the cable is necessary when it breaks or is stretched too much (adjusting the cable does not allow normal operation of the clutch).

In this case:

• the clutch pedal becomes tight;
• the pedal stroke changes;
• squeezing the clutch is also difficult;
• the clutch pedal falls to the floor;

As a result, gears are difficult to engage, and a crunching noise may appear in the gearbox when shifting. Please note that ignoring the problem, as well as active attempts to “stick” the gear with a crunch while driving and other efforts that the driver makes when trying to change gears with a faulty clutch, can cause severe wear of the synchronizers and other elements of the gearbox. This means that there is no need to delay replacing the cable.

Moreover, this procedure is not complicated and can be done with your own hands in a regular garage. The only caveat is that you have to work in the area of ​​the pedal assembly, which is not entirely convenient (the fuse box and power steering are in the way).

Symptoms of malfunction, diagnostics, solutions

What tools will you need?

If the Grant clutch pedal is too tight or, conversely, has completely failed, and the Grant clutch does not work properly, you will need to change the cable. By the way, a breakdown of the clutch fork will lead to exactly the same symptoms.

To replace the clutch cable you will need:

• open-end wrench at “8”, as well as at “10”;
• a knob (for the end cap) and a knob attachment “10”;
• a pair of Phillips screwdrivers (wide and medium), a flat screwdriver;
• ruler and caliper or ruler

It is also necessary to purchase a new clutch release cable for the Lada Granta and prepare a Litol type lubricant. You may also need a bushing for the clutch cable adjustment mechanism if this element is severely worn or damaged.

Reviews

How to remove the clutch cable of a Lada Granta

Having prepared the tools and the Grant clutch cable for replacement, you can proceed to the replacement. The initial step is to remove the old clutch cable. To do this, do the following:

1. First, in the cabin under the dashboard, using a 8mm wrench, unscrew the nut securing the cable braid bracket to the pedal assembly bracket. Then, using a Phillips screwdriver, you need to pry the spring bracket and remove it from the groove of the clutch pedal finger.
2. The next step is to remove the eyelet of the automatic cable length adjustment mechanism housing from the clutch pedal pin, after which you need to remove the upper part of the cable from the pedal assembly bracket.
   Now you need to move to the engine compartment, from where the cable is pulled forward, the cable lead is removed from the groove of the clutch release fork lever (for convenience, remove the air filter housing).
3. By rotating counterclockwise, the leash is unscrewed from the threaded end of the cable;
4. Next, the protective rubber cover is removed from the tip of the cable, after which the tip of the cable sheath is removed from the hole in the bracket at the gearbox.
5. Now, inside the car, the cable sealing cover is removed from the hole in the engine shield, after which you can pull the cable into the passenger compartment.
6. After removing the cable, you need to check the general condition of the plastic bushing on the pedal pin. If the bushing is worn, it needs to be replaced. You should also lubricate your finger with Lithol.

Replacing the Grant clutch cable

Having completed the removal of the old cable and preparation, you can proceed to installing a new Grant clutch cable. Installation is carried out in the following order:

1. a new cable is threaded through a hole in the shield from the passenger compartment and brought out into the engine compartment;
2. then the sealing cover is installed in the hole of the shield;
3. Next, you need to put the automatic cable length adjustment mechanism on the pedal pin, after which the mechanism is secured;
4. Now you need to screw a plastic leash onto the threaded end of the cable (it is important to do this so that the end of the cable tip is flush with the end of the leash);
5. After that, the leash is inserted into the groove of the clutch release fork lever.

All steps from start to finish

Open the hood and find the gearbox. The starter will be located nearby. All nodes are covered with a filter that needs to be removed:

1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery (key “10”);
2. We disconnect in turn: the mass air flow sensor connector (oval), the adsorber valve (we press the tongue from below). We also loosen and remove the fastening tie for the “thick wire”;

Getting rid of unnecessary details

A “fork” will be attached to the top of the crankcase - a bent plate with a slot. This is the clutch fork (see photo).

Found the most important detail

Using pliers wrapped in electrical tape, try to pull the tip forward.

Clutch adjustment on Lada Granta (first method)

Here we will look at how to adjust the clutch on a Lada Grant:

1. Grasping the end of the cable, pull it forward as far as it will go.
2. Using a caliper, measure the distance from the fork to the plastic leash. The distance should be exactly 27 mm.

If everything is set up and checked, measure the clutch pedal travel.

We measure the free movement distance

The distance from the “top point” to the “bottom” should not exceed 146 mm.

If at the last stage it turns out to be more than 146, then the cable needs to be replaced.

Alternative clutch adjustment method (second method)

No calipers are needed here:

1. Carry out step 1 as indicated above - pull the tip forward.
2. Let go of the tip and look: if the leash does not fit tightly to the fork, screw it onto the rod.
3. Press and release the pedal (3 times), repeat steps 1 and 2.

Clutch drive adjustment

After installing the cable, it is necessary to adjust the clutch drive. To do this, the cable is pulled forward by the threaded end until it stops (you need to overcome the force of the clutch pedal spring). Next, the cable is held in an extended position.

The adjustment looks like this:

1. Using a caliper, measure the distance from the end of the plastic guide to the clutch fork lever (the norm is 27 mm).
2. If deviations are noticeable, you need to obtain the desired distance by rotating the leash.
   We also recommend reading the article about why the clutch slips. From this article you will learn about the main causes of clutch slipping, as well as how to repair this problem.
3. When there is no load (the cable is released), it is necessary to ensure that the leash is adjacent to the fork lever without any gap.
4. Next, you need to press the clutch pedal 2-3 times for the automatic cable length adjustment mechanism to work. Then you need to measure the full travel of the clutch pedal, which should not exceed 146 mm.

Having completed the adjustment, you can replace the air filter housing. After installation, you can check the quality of the clutch and drive while driving. Please note that if the clutch on the Grant is selected incorrectly or is badly worn, there are problems with the gearbox, etc., replacing the drive cable will not solve the existing problems with the smoothness and clarity of gear shifting.

List of online stores selling parts (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kyiv regions)

Recommendations

1. As a rule, the clutch “disappears” when the clutch fork breaks or the cable breaks.
   In such a situation, you can drive your car to the service center without using the clutch pedal. To do this, turn off the engine, engage first gear, then start with the gear engaged. To upshift, you need to re-gear, and to downshift, you need to wait until the engine speed drops to suitable values. We also recommend reading a separate article on how to drive without a clutch. In this article you will learn how to get to the repair site with a broken clutch.
2. Usually the cable threads break at the base of the pinch.
   Some car enthusiasts attach the clutch cable lead to bearings to avoid bending it. The result is increased reliability and increased service life of the cable. When replacing the cable, the plastic insert is removed from the old cable and placed on the new cable. If this is not done, the plastic on the new cable will quickly break.
3. If the Grant clutch is being replaced, the gearbox or engine is being removed, experienced car enthusiasts recommend replacing the clutch cable if the cable has traveled more than 30-40 thousand km. Also on the Granta, clutch adjustment and inspection are necessary if even minor problems appear with the clutch pedal or difficulties with gear shifting.

Verdict

Substandard behavior of the Granta pedal assembly is a malfunction that should be eliminated as soon as possible. The issue may be either in the drive, which here is a cable drive, or directly in the unit connecting the engine and the gearbox.

Most often, the problem lies in an unraveled cable or its limited mobility in the jacket. This problem can be eliminated by replacing the cable and/or lubricating it with oil, silicone or WD-40. The fork shaft often needs lubrication.

Less commonly, the problem is caused by a deformed or cracked fork. Wear on the leaf spring can radically change the amount of force required to release the pedal. A new clutch can also cause it to feel stiff.

Source