Hi all. Today's article will be devoted to the clutch, or rather its malfunction. We'll talk about why the clutch pedal fails, the reasons why it happens, and how to fix it.
The trouble with a clutch failure is that shifting gears becomes impossible, which means driving such a car is out of the question. The first question that arises in your head is: “How to get to the service station when the clutch pedal has failed”?
Let's figure it out; naturally, we'll take domestic VAZs as an example, since our site is dedicated to cars of this particular brand.
First of all, let’s clarify something... If anyone doesn’t know, then VAZ from 2101 to 2107 has a hydraulic clutch, “, , and”, as well as “Kalin”, etc. have a “cable” clutch.
Features of the VAZ 2112 clutch
The machine is equipped with a dry-type single-plate friction clutch with a central pressure spring. adjusting the clutch on Kalina any motorist must take into account that the control pedal is connected to the disc via a cable with a special ratcheting mechanism.
How does automatic cable tightening work?
As a result of intensive use, the friction linings of the disc gradually wear out. The ratcheting mechanism built into the drive design allows you to compensate for wear for a certain period of time - it gradually tightens the cable. During operation of the device, the fork rotates and the bushing spring is gradually compressed. As a result, the cable end clamps are compressed, after which the latter is released and tensions the cable.
The purpose of this design is to facilitate the maintenance process. According to the plans of VAZ engineers, the mechanism should save the owner from the need to make adjustments himself. But this is all only in theory, but in practice it turns out that you cannot do without adjusting the clutch.
When should adjustments be made?
Before adjusting the clutch on a Kalina car, you need to determine the moment when the automatic cable locking no longer functions. This is not difficult, especially since the machine itself signals problems:
- Loss of traction, friction clutch does not provide a reliable connection between the flywheel and the disk. The consequence of such a defect will be the loss of a significant part of the torque force.
- The clutch control pedal does not return to its initial position, which, in fact, is a consequence of the first point.
- Poor clutch disengagement - the pedal is not pressed all the way, which makes changing gears difficult.
The symptoms, however, are similar to those when clutch adjustment is needed on a VAZ 2107 , so experienced motorists can skip this unit and proceed directly to the test.
How to check the clutch?
To make sure that the mechanism needs to be adjusted, you should perform a number of basic checks:
- Press the pedal several times and release - any extraneous sounds are unacceptable. For better control, you can press with your hand, this way you can feel the pedal stroke more fully.
- Check the pedal for sticking; if it returns with noticeable twitching, then adjustment is necessary.
- Check the full travel of the pedal using a ruler or tape measure. Press and release the pedal several times, then measure the distance of its outer edge to the floor; if it is more than 146 mm, then the mechanism needs to be adjusted.
- Check the movement of the cable guide relative to the clutch release fork; the maximum distance between these elements is 27 mm.
- If the runout of the driven disk linings is more than 0.5 mm, adjustment is also required.
When performing checks, it is important that the car engine is turned off.
Mechanism malfunctions
To understand what kind of clutch malfunctions there are on the mechanism side, you need to understand its design. The single-disk mechanism consists of a basket with a drive disk, which is rigidly mounted on the flywheel. The drive disk has the ability to move inside the basket, but it is pressed against the flywheel by a spring diaphragm or cam springs. Between them there is a driven disk with friction linings, which is connected via a spline connection to the gearbox drive shaft. There is also a release bearing, the task of which is to act on the spring of the drive disk due to the force obtained through the drive.
Without noise and dust: how to properly adjust the clutch on a Kalina station wagon yourself?
You should start working no earlier than the engine has completely cooled down. The setup method is simple and does not require a visit to a car service center, because you can do everything yourself. The step-by-step scheme for completing the work is as follows:
- Before adjusting the clutch drive on Kalina, you should open the engine compartment hood and remove the air filter.
- Visually assess the condition of the cable casing and replace it if damaged.
- Pull the tip toward you until the cable is fully tensioned. After this, check the distance between the fork and the leash with a caliper.
- If the measurements show more than 27 mm, then the distance is corrected by rotating the leader along the thread of the tip.
- Press and release the clutch pedal several times and repeat the measurements.
- If necessary, repeat the adjustment until the required standards are achieved.
The technology for setting up the clutch on Kalina is not as complicated as installing the VAZ 2110 clutch , therefore it is quite feasible in a garage environment without the involvement of specialists. And this fact pleases domestic motorists, because the clutch plays an important role in driving a car.
Causes of failure
Clutch problems are a common problem with cars, caused primarily by improper use and wear of parts. Be that as it may, to troubleshoot the problem, it is important to know the reasons why the clutch pedal fails.
There are several of them:
1. Cable break. One of the most common problems is damage to the clutch cable. The weak point is in the tip area where the cable is connected to it in the engine compartment. The solution to this problem is to replace the cable, which can be done without the involvement of specialists. How to eliminate clutch pedal failure will be discussed below.
2. Breakage of the return spring. During operation, the spring mechanism that ensures the return of the lever to the upper position often fails. If the spring breaks, the only solution is to replace it. Replace it locally or at a service station.
Broken clutch pedal spring
There are situations when the spring simply falls off. In this case, find it and install it in place. After this, check the clutch operation and continue driving.
3. Air entering the hydraulic drive - for VAZ 2101-07 vehicles. If such a malfunction occurs, bleed the system. If there is no suitable tool, then call a tow truck or a garage.
4. Failure of the release fork. This unit is mounted on the car’s gearbox, and its service life is not that long. What to do if the clutch pedal fails due to a broken unit? The solution is to replace the failed element. When performing work, check the condition of the clutch disc and also change it if necessary.
5. Problems with the master cylinder. Situations are possible when one of the cylinders “pierces”, defects appear on it or the cuff is torn. If pedal failure is caused by this fault, all is not lost. Press the control lever sharply several times, after which the latter can return to its place.
6. Failure of the driven disk. If clutch pedal failure is caused by a failed disc, diagnosing the cause is easy. In this case, the pedal becomes pliable and soft. The malfunction is often caused by deformation of the unit, broken drive disk, leakage or mechanical damage.
Replacing and adjusting the clutch cable on a viburnum
Welcome! Clutch cable - thanks to it, you can control the clutch fork, and at that moment it can disconnect the clutch from the flywheel, thanks to the release bearing, a cable is used on all front-wheel drive cars, because their gearbox is located deep in the front, on classics Together with the cable, the main and slave cylinders of the clutch are used (there is no clutch cable), these cylinders work differently, unlike the cable (the cable simply pulls), but the result is the same (the clutch is disconnected from the flywheel due to the release bearing) and the effect occurs due to one and the same unit, namely thanks to the clutch pedal.
How to get to the service station?
Unfortunately, equipment does not always fail near your home or service station. It happens that the clutch fails somewhere on the highway, and the nearest service station is several kilometers away. It is irrational to push the car in such a situation, so you have to use other methods.
Follow a simple algorithm:
- Engage first gear (at this moment release the gas pedal).
- Turn the key in the ignition. At the moment when the engine starts to “pick up”, add gas. Proceed carefully so that the car does not stall.
- Continue driving at 1st speed. Don't try to engage second gear without using the clutch, especially if you don't have the skills, although it is possible. Incorrect activation may result in unit failure.
Before following the tips mentioned, do the following:
- Park the car on a slope or at least a straight road so that the vehicle does not roll back.
- Warm up the engine before driving.
- Plan your route in advance. It is desirable that you have to deal with fewer traffic lights and intersections along the way.
- Turn on the emergency lights.
- Make as few movements to the left or right as possible.
If you have determined why the clutch pedal has failed, but you cannot fix the problem on the road and you cannot move off in first (second) speed, call a tow truck or stop the car, ready to tow the car to a garage (service station). Good luck on the roads and of course no breakdowns.
What if the sensor is faulty?
This component can only be installed with an electronic version of the accelerator pedal. The main function of the sensor is to control the operating modes of the Lada Kalina engine when switching gears in the transmission or starting movement.
If the sensor is faulty, the owner of the Lada Kalina 2 will be informed by the ECU about this fact by highlighting the “Check” symbol. The error code in this case is “0830”. The presence of a sensor failure is physically felt by the following signs:
- jerking of the Lada Kalina 2 car at the moment of switching gearbox stages;
- a sudden increase in speed (the engine is idling) when you press the clutch pedal assembly.
The designated element cannot be adjusted, so if functionality is lost, it must be replaced. The sensor is located above the pedal, or more precisely, under the steering shaft column. To replace, you should select an analogue with the code “1118-3720015” (also suitable for Priora and Granta).
The replacement procedure is characterized by inconvenience due to inaccessibility to the two screws by which the component is fixed to the pedal bracket.
- Dismantling involves removing the cable holder holder and the corresponding hole present on the pedal bracket.
- We also disconnect the block from the wiring harness under the instrument panel.
- You will need a screwdriver to remove the spring hook from the holder.
- Now unscrew the previously mentioned hard-to-reach screws.
- We remove the sensor with its holder and then install a new element.
We carry out the assembly process using the reverse algorithm.
What to do?
Some clutch malfunctions can be eliminated even on the road, especially for problems with the drive (except electronic). It is also always possible to move even without a clutch. Almost all gearboxes are equipped with synchronizers that allow you to change gears while driving without a clutch (although this will not benefit the gearbox).
All that remains is to know how to start moving correctly. With a well-charged battery, the starter is able to start the engine in gear. That is, it is enough to engage first gear, and then use the starter to start the engine. In this case, the car will move jerkily until the engine starts. Further movement must be continued with the hazard lights on and at low speed. If the box is equipped with synchronizers, then shifting gears is allowed, as well as turning on “neutral”.
Purpose, types
The purpose of the clutch is to briefly disconnect the engine and gearbox so that the gear ratio in the box can be changed, as well as ensuring a smooth start to movement.
There are several types used on cars:
- frictional (also mechanical);
- hydraulic;
- electric.
The most widespread is the friction type. It is used together with mechanical and robotic ones. In automatic and CVT transmissions, the torque converter plays the role of clutch.
We will not touch on the clutch of automatic and CVT transmissions for now; we will focus on the friction clutch, since it is common in passenger vehicles.
