By Al Australia on Thursday, September 13, 2001 - 06:50 pm: Edit

Hi there

Worried that my disco (Tdi manual R380) with 120,000kms on it may be getting ready to become "unclutchable" (ie. the clutch might be worn).

The clutch feels light, although the take-up point is somewhere around the top part of the pedal.

How will I know when my clutch is going to go or is getting worn? The car has a full and regular Land Rover service history...

By Frode Hübertz Haaland (Discofrode) on Thursday, September 13, 2001 - 08:26 pm: Edit

Interesting point: The Porter Manual (found outside Kyles window) states clutch plates tend to wear out at 120.000km...
Symptoms sounds like when my human car had a worn clutch. Wait for others who felt a hydraulic clutch wearing, as these do not have any adjustments.
Chk hydraulic fluid in master reservoir. Chk for leaks.
I'd order new parts anyway (go for a full set, incl bearing AND the infamous release lever as that one tends to fail) - if it isn't failing within a short time, it will probably fail in the medium term.
If doing it yourself/with friends, it's easier renewing clutch from engine side (i.e. remove engine rather than gearbox).
Frode
home.halden.net/discovery

By Jon Williams (Jonw) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 04:49 am: Edit

Sounds like a typical worn clutch; grabs near the top of the pedal stroke. I had one (hydraulic) wear-out on an F-150 (Ford pickup) and sounds like your case. Frode's advice on LR clutch replacement is a good idea.

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Friday, September 14, 2001 - 05:25 am: Edit

Try to bleed the system. The slave cylinder gets real hot since it's right next to the exhaust pipe so your seals may be going. Any visable leaks ??

While you're under there, see if you have a heat sheild under the slave cylinder. I'm told D90's do but I don't have one on my Disco I - if I can find a PN, I'd like to add one.

keith
discosaurus