Forums Forums Enthusiast Forums A - Z Autowirral Clutch Cable Just Snapped

Hey everyone,

my clutch cable has just snapped in one of my Clio's. I have looked through the Haynes manual and although it says its an easy job to remove and refit a clutch cable, looking around the engine bay, it seems complicated to do.

Should I call out a mobile mechanic or would it be better for me to attempt it myself? Anyone got any experience replacing clutch cables?

Thanks guys

Its not a hard job to do, just akward matey.

Simply remove the old one taking note of how it comes of the pedal and the gearbox, refit the new one the same way, try to route the new cable the same way as you took the old one off.

Its best to put your drivers seat right back and lie on your back in the footwell with a light to see and discomect the clutch cable from the pedal.

When your all done make sure to adjust the new cable correctly or you will burn the clutch out. You should have approx half an inch free play at the clutch pedal before the clutch starts working

Thanks for the tips Scooby mate much appreciated.

I have had another look today, and I have to say I won't feel at all comfortable doing the job myself. I have attempted to remove the cable from my other manual (for a little bit of practice before I go and buy a cable - it says its easy to remove and refit in the Haynes manual) and it could not be removed, due to some plug in the footarch preventing the end from being slipped through.

Also, looking at the verious little bits on the cable I cant see how I would get it all in and to top things off, I can see anything, whether it be under the car or above the car, where the cable it suppoed to enter the engine bay, I would be very worried about "working blind".

I think this time Haynes have got it very wrong, they describe the job as easy enough for anyone to do, but the lack of being able to see what you are doing, lack of access and also the complications of how it all comes together, is far from easy.

To add to my problems, the only local mobile mechanic listed on Yell.com, does not do clutch cables for some bizarre reason!

So it seems the car is well and truely off the road until I can work something out, as I am not paying the stupid prices recovery firms will charge for delivering the car to my local garage. All this because of a damn clutch cable

Does anyone know of any mobile mechanics who do deal with clutch cables?

Thanks!

Well I have had another look this afternoon, and whilst I am not very confident at all about doing it, I have decided that I am going to spend all tomorrow trying it, it will be my aim for the day.

I have ordered the new cable and it will be in stock tomorrow morning so whish me luck!

Tis funny isnt it, I did all the brakes, drivebelt and bulbs yesterday, and just as I go to drive off my clutch cable snaps haha

Im just hoping I will finally be able to make it along to a members meet in my new Clio soon, I have not been to one in years!

Well,

I did it

But never again I tell you! One of the most fiddly and awkward jobs I have ever done on a car, took forever! Thanks for the advice Scooby, lying on my back in the footwell was an excellent position to bring the cable over the pedal.

Took about 45 minutes, I am pretty sure its not meant to take that long, but it was my first time. Either way Haynes got it wrong, its not an "easy easy" job by all accounts.

I suppose if the engine size was smaller it would porbably have been easier as the access to the engine/footwell is terrible in the RT. Having said that though, its mainly due to the manifold, as in the Fidji (Weber, not injection) it has a somewhat smaller manifold, and the access is a fair bit easier.

Ah well its done now anyways, so I am all happy again