Mini cooper manual
Nightmare: clutch or something packed in on A483 A55 junction outside chester helping to cause more havoc to the rush hour. Most drivers ok but the odd few gesticulating (as if you choose to breakdown in the most awkward place!!)

ADvice... Had a new clutch fitted just over 2 years ago (sods law just out of its 2 year guarantee!) ..25000 miles. Breakdown man said it could be a hydraulic cylinder problem which is in the gearbox...would that not have been renewed when clutch was replaced?

Clutch pedal right to the floor, there was a horrible metallic clunk just as it was failing and struggled to put into gear whilst on sliproad. Not a nice sound when turning engine over either.

Apart from that all home safe and sound

Hi Fish, if you heard a clunk and metallic sound it is hardly likely to be a hydraulic problem and sounds more likely that the clutch itself has collapsed. Ellesmere port clutch and gearbox are the cheapest and quickest around that I know. Good luck.

Just to add that yes the hydraulic slave cylinder in box would have have been changed while the box was out.

Number for Ellesmere clutch is

015 1335 0009.

What engine and clutch type (single or dual mass?).

If you don't know, the price you paid for the last clutch might give us an idea.

thanks Dilly. No idea what type of clutch Gibbo but paid a tadge under £400.Our local garage Irby motors recommended the company they give clutch work to T&R Clutches in Chester. Wasn't too impressed when they came to collect mini and guy drove off in it crunching the gears when I complained they said they towed it back to chester. So wont be using them again
Breakdown guy recommended Corner Garage in Greasby who now specialise in minis.

You comment about drivers being mostly OK rang a bell with me.

A month or so I hit a brick on the M6 which wrecked a tyre. No spare, just an inflation kit, so completely buggered. Whilst waiting for the breakdown service - about 50 minutes - no less than four drivers stopped to offer help like changing the wheel or offering a phone etc. One of them presented us with a bottle of water - it was a boiling hot day - and offered to go get us some food! I was very touched by their kindness.

Glad you are now sorted. I had a clutch cable snap on a Peugeot 307 a few years back - on a roundabout. Far from fun!

That thoughtfulness is really nice to hear . Contrasts with when I go to Neston tip with heavy items . Its obvious Im a female pensioner , obvious my items are bulky and or heavy, obvious Ill probably be on the edge of managing, --so do any of the several staff ask me if Im ok or need help? Nope, they stand about or sit and watch!

Thats one of the things I miss Venice. The age of chivalry is dead. That's women's lib for you...it's nice I think when they act like a true gentleman and help you out. We live in an age now of women footballers, rugby players, boxers. Im afraid I don't like all that and hark back to when you were treated like a lady and acted like ladies instead of laddettes..

Not long ago there was a young girl broke down at Arrowe Park junction (clutch cable), at one time every man and his dog would have helped to push the car out the way, on this occasion there was nothing but horns, abuse and dangerous manoeuvring around her for well over three quarters of an hour.

Even when the car was eventually getting moved out the way a number of drivers were making it as awkward as possible as well as still hitting the horns and hurling abuse, thankfully a bus driver blocked the lot off so the twenty second manoeuvre could be carried out.

Why are people getting so self-centred and selfish to the point of cutting their nose off to spite their face?

It's true DD, I've had a couple of tyres changed for me in the past by very helpful men. They took pity on helpless female who needed help and that's how it should be in my eyes but then I'm that age and considered old fashioned I suppose. Not everybody like this I hasten to add still alot of gentleman around but getting less and less.

Its not just a 'male being chivalrous to female ' thing thats dying , either . As DD said , it across the board, and it doesnt matter whether you are male or female - every way you turn, you have to automatically presume that 'you're on your own' when it comes to getting into minor difficulties , although when situations get extremely serious , I have to admit more people are likely to stop and help you out.

Its funny, we are in an age when you dont expect people to help you out, you do expect to be fleeced at every turn, you dont expect to automatically get good service, you do expect to have to wait ages for Drs appointments and for workmen to call you back, and you dont expect things you buy, to actually do exactly what is claimed on the can (and you're suprised and thrilled when they do!! )