Fitting an SS clutch hose

[Loose Cannon]

Whilst getting some rusty brake pipes attended to for the MOT I decided to empty my piggy bank and get some stainless braided hoses and a stainless braided clutch line fitted.

Whils the clutch pedal is much easier to depress now there is a dead, spongy feel at the top of the travel - does this mean there is air in the system and a re-bleed, or is there some adjustment to be made at the clutch to allow for the new pipe?

My mechanic mate is usually super reliable for this sort of thing but I get the feeling he left it all to the last minute (despite having it for 5 days) and rushed it, hence the spilled clutch fluid in the front boot and the cap left loose )

[CarlC]

FWIW, I cant say I noticed much of a difference when I first got my S/S clutch hose replaced. Perhaps just a bit more positive when pressing the pedal, so perhaps your right about the bleed but its not something I've had much problem with.

[RichardN]

I fitted an SS clutch hose to my 88 Turbo and found the feel of the clutch improved considerably so no, you shouldn't feel any spongyness in the clutch. It does sound like you have air in it.

Unlike nearly everything else involved with the car, the Esprit clutch is very easy to bleed and any mechanic can do it if you are not happy with the job your mate did.

Richard

[CNH]

Some times the line will need a rebleed.

Depends on how many micro bubbles has merged to make a larger air pocket in the line. I always rebleed after a little while. a 5 min job for a couple a people if you do not have an EZ bleeder.

[Jonathan]

If it's not the oil, sounds like there might be play inbetween the pushrod and the clutch fork.

If it's been adjusted wrong, or bolted onto the wrong side of the mounting this can happen, basically the pushrod on the end of the clutch cylinder flaps in the breeze until the piston moves forward enough to take up the play and operate the clutch fork, this would be typical of a floppy pedal.

2 suggestions :

1) Get under and check if the push rod can move, try wiggling it a bit. If it moves excessivly then you might need to adjust/rebolt it on.

2) Get under the car and get the wife/kids to push the clutch in slowly and look at the movement of the pushrod and the fork. If ti moves smoothly and there's no play then...

3) Bleed it again.

If you're still stuck I'll drag some pictures up for ya this evening.

[Loose Cannon]

Thanks for the replies. Further evidence of things being done in a hurry is the belly pan started banging this evening (bolts missed), so methinks a trip to check everything out underneath is needed this weekend.

[Jonathan]

Does anyone ever get a satisfactory job done at a garage these days ?

BTW if you're in no hurry you can crack the bleed nipple slightly and leave it. My Elise self beld the brakes like that, just left them slightly open and the airiated oil de-airiated.

Funny cus me and the old man spent 2 solid days trying un-sucessfully to bleed them only to find they'd done them selves when we had the specialist come get it

I blame the owner myself.