Weird clutch problem on 190

[blue190]

Please Help me someone, after stopping at asda yesterday i got in my 190 to go home to find that with my foot full down on the clutch i couldnt engage a gear (I tried 1st, 2nd and R). As i was dressed in a suit(very unlike me) i decided not to try and sort it myself and called my insurance provided breakdown cover who brought me and my car home. The guy who recovered thought it might be the thrust bearing had collapsed, but i was reluctant to agree as full hydraulic pressure could be felt on the clutch pedal. I tried again when i got home from work today and this time i managed to engage 3rd but didt try moving the car as i didnt want to try pushing it back uphill to outside my house on my own. once 3rd had engaged it was accompanied by a metallic grating noise which also deterred me from attempting to move. Any ideas? Any suggestions? Anyone know a good merc specialist in hereford/gloucester sort of area(cheap ones mind). I have had a quote from a specialist in pembrokeshire of 240 fitted for a new clutch but as i am unsure of what is wrong i dont want to go ahead and get it done.

 

[grober]

Its either a clutch problem- collapsed thrust bearing or non-operational clutch slave cylinder. The alternative is a problem with your gear select mechanism. this is a series of 3 rods and levers running from the gear lever forwards to the shift levers on the nearside of the gearbox. they are held together with retaining clips. If one or more of these has fallen off ?? Worth checking.
Be aware also that the clutch hydraulic system shares Reservoir capacity with the brake system, so any bad leak from the clutch cylinders or pipework would probably show up with a low hydraulic/Brake fluid warning light.

 

[blue190]

Its either a clutch problem- collapsed thrust bearing or non-operational clutch slave cylinder. The alternative is a problem with your gear select mechanism. this is a series of 3 rods and levers running from the gear lever forwards to the shift levers on the nearside of the gearbox. they are held together with retaining clips. If one or more of these has fallen off ?? Worth checking.
Be aware also that the clutch hydraulic system shares Reservoir capacity with the brake system, so any bad leak from the clutch cylinders or pipework would probably show up with a low hydraulic/Brake fluid warning light.

Thanks for that. First thing i checked was reservoir after a similar problem i had on a saab i previously owned. If a selector rod had fallen off then there would be excessive play on gearstick? or am i mistaken? With the clutch pedal down i cant push the stick forward or back into 1st or 2nd respectively. I think i will go ahead and have the clutch replaced and keep everything crossed that it is the problem, any more repairs will eat into my holiday fund.

 

[grober]

I cant answer your question for sure, but I know that on an old ford 3 speed column change box with similar lever system. each lever produced a certain range of movements. These movements were interdependant. certain movements were only possible if other levers were in certain positions. e.g. You may not be able to select 1rst and 2nd gears not because the 1/2 gearshift lever is loose but because the 3/4 selector is in the wrong position. It should be easy to visually inspect the rods/levers from under the car to see if any are loose.