Clutch - No Pressure

[BigBlueBeast]

Hi Guys,

I have a slight predicament. 2 weeks ago, the clutch pedal on my 95 M Disco went down and stayed down. I checked fluid and there was very little to none in the resevoir. I topped it up, tried using the gunson pressure bleed kit and got fluid coming out. The pedal went solid when pressed about half way down, pressed it harder and it went back to how it was (going to floor and staying there). There is not really much fluid coming out of the bell housing, not more than any other landy i have had, so not seals gone.

I am wondering if the damper could have gone, if so, how can I test it?

Many thanks in advance.

[Saffy]

damper ?

how about fluid leaking out of the master due to failed seals? it tends to dribble down the pedal into the footwell.

I don't like the sound of it going solid though - if it wasn't for the 'missing' fluid it would sound like the slave piston rod where it's attached to the clutch release arm had punched right through.

[BigBlueBeast]

Cheers Saffy. There is a damper in the tdi clutch system to take out vibrations at low revs.

There is no fluid in the footwell, I have had the master cylinder out today and all looks good, clean, pumps fluid out of where the pipe connects to. I just cannot seem to bleed the system even connecting to the slave cylinder directly from the master.

Anyone fancy fixing it for me? The car is in Norfolk, I can only look at it for one day every other week as I am working in Chester!

[Saffy]

i'm not aware of any damper -    There isn't one on the Defender tdi. I have only ever seen the bolt on transfer box weight. Where is the damper?

[BigBlueBeast]

http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML/Disco_clutch_damper.htm

[Saffy]

http://www.landroverclub.net/Club/HTML/Disco_clutch_damper.htm

cool, thanks -  never came across one or known it mentioned before. I presume it can be ditched totally though.....

[ChrisW70]

cool, thanks -  never came across one or known it mentioned before. I presume it can be ditched totally though.....

Yep... Had very similar symptoms a long time ago, couldnt get a new damper at the time and ended up plumbing direct from master to slave. Never noticed anything different in the clutch or operation.

[BigBlueBeast]

Going to order new seals and a damper then change them in the cylinders. Need to buy a pressure bleed kit again.

[SEDDEY]

Sorry to jump on a thread but .......

I have a leak on the clutch system and have changed the master, which to be honest was leaking, and the slave, which turned out not to be. It leaves only the damper. my question is then .... is it ok to bypass it, is there any problems/effects from doing this.

[Range Rover Blues]

Like the rubber doughnut on the prop, it will work fine without it, but it was put there for a reason.

I replaced the whole lot recently, the damper is quite cheap.

[Saffy]

Suspect the only reason being to turn the disco ride experience into more of that of a saloon car. Remember defenders are basically the same running gear and there are no such weak link dampers.

[SEDDEY]

I was quoted 'Dealer part only. That will be £65 +VAT Sir'

Does that sound about right?

[ChrisW70]

Bollo...

Google

[SEDDEY]

Thanks for that. thought it was abit odd 'dealer part' thing. I haven't come across anything else that is not done as a pattern part.