240D Clutch question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pj67coll · #1 11-23-2020, 09:52 PM

So. I have what I percieve to be an issue with the clutch on my 240D. It seems to engage almost right on the firewall. By that I mean. If I'm reversing out of my garage, as soon as I start to let up on the clutch pedal the car is already moving sprightly backwards. Same for taking off from 1st from a stop. It's like the thing takes immediately I start to let my foot up. This does not seem normal to me. Any ideas?

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #2 11-23-2020, 09:57 PM

Could be failing pressure plate. A broken finger will drag and make it tough to engage from neutral. You can drive around it for a while but it gets tedious.

t walgamuth · #3 11-23-2020, 10:02 PM

It can also be failing hydraulics. Pumping the pedal will get action if this is the case.

pj67coll · #4 11-23-2020, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

It can also be failing hydraulics. Pumping the pedal will get action if this is the case.

By action do you mean it will engage further up from the floor?

- Peter.

Sugar Bear · #5 11-23-2020, 11:47 PM

Is the rear section of the master cylinder reservoir full of fluid? Look under the dash at the clutch master cylinder for leakage.

A clutch that disengages like an on/off switch vs. one with gradual application usually has a worn friction disc and pressure plate.

Good luck!!!

pj67coll · #6 11-24-2020, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugar Bear

Is the rear section of the master cylinder reservoir full of fluid? Look under the dash at the clutch master cylinder for leakage.

A clutch that disengages like an on/off switch vs. one with gradual application usually has a worn friction disc and pressure plate.

Good luck!!!

Yeah. It's full. I've not noticed any leaks but I'll have a more detailed look in the morning.

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #7 11-24-2020, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

By action do you mean it will engage further up from the floor?

- Peter.

yes

vwnate1 · #8 11-24-2020, 08:51 AM

If the fluid in the reservoir is black, it needs flushing and bleeding anyway, begin there .

pj67coll · #9 11-24-2020, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwnate1

If the fluid in the reservoir is black, it needs flushing and bleeding anyway, begin there .

Fluids not black, it's new. I had to replace the front hoses because one of them failed a few months back. Replaced the pads font and back and bled the entire system at the time. But this issue preceded that. Just feels like its become more noticable recently.

- Peter.

vwnate1 · #10 11-24-2020, 10:20 AM

Okey-Dokey .

As long as you flushed and bled the clutch slave cylinder at the same time .

As mentioned , even a Mercedes clutch wears out eventually .

Many have done this job and written it up, doesn't look overly difficult to me .

pj67coll · #11 11-24-2020, 10:54 AM

If you mean replaceing the clutch I'm afraid I'm in no postion to do so. It'll have to soldier on for the next six months till I can buy a new vehicle before next summer hits. Then I'll be able to take it off the road for some extended mainteannce.

- Peter.

Sugar Bear · #12 11-24-2020, 11:57 AM

That is a relatively easy clutch to replace. Toughest part is the weight of the transmission. If you do replace the clutch, replace all of the shift bushings, thoroughly clean and adjust the linkage lengths, you'll be very happy with the results.

Good luck!!!

pj67coll · #13 11-24-2020, 12:34 PM

Looking thru the records it turns out that 9 years and 75K miles ago the clutch was replaced and the flywheel was resurfaced. This because the vehicle would not go into reverse. It's had the same problem ever since I bought it. I have to start the vehicle with the cluthc depressed and holding it in reverse gear if I need to back out of my garage or a parking space. If the engine is running I either have to wait a while and try to "finesse" it into reverse, and hold the lever in position manually while I'm backin up, or switch off and put it in reverse before starting it again.

So I have no idea the quality of the work that was done when the clutch was replaced. From the condition of much else that was done on the car I'm thinking not very high quality and possibly other things were missed. If the flywheel has been poorly resurfaced could it be in need of replacement as well?

- Peter.

t walgamuth · #14 11-24-2020, 01:58 PM

They may not have planed the flywheel when doing the clutch. Don't really know what they actually did. Could have just changed out the disc. You won't really know what is worn and or damaged until pulling it apart. There might be an adjuster on the pedal assembly which can be lengthened. If so that might get you some time. Also might be able to replace the rod with a longer one as a temporary fix.

I think I played this tune on m 74 bmw which I did not plane the flywheel in a clutch job. Did it over. A fair amount of work.

Frank Reiner · #15 11-24-2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pj67coll

So. I have what I percieve to be an issue with the clutch on my 240D. It seems to engage almost right on the firewall.

pj:

Although there may indeed be a problem with the clutch itself, it seems in order to ask a question: Is there a noticeable amount of pedal movement at the top of the stroke (free play) before any significant resistance is felt in the pedal? Normal adjustments will result in about 1/8" of free play.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, there is an adjustment point at the pushrod-to-pedal pivot, and the pushrod is supplied in two lengths.