Triumph Repair: Triumph 1500 Clutch Pedel Binding, triumph 1500, cylinder problem

Question
I have an intermittant problem when driving. Depressing the clutch pedel to change the pedel will not go all the way down, feels resitance about half way and the clutch does not fully disengage. Lift off the downward pressure and reapply and all OK.
Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi James,

The binding in the pedal could be in several places. It can be in the master cylinder or slave cylinder or in the release bearing slider that supports the bearing. It is not likely in the pedal itself.

The problem with any intermittent problem is that you need it in the failed mode to do any tests. Here is what you can do. Put the car on a lift or on jack stands and with a helper keep depressing the pedal until you get the pedal to stop half way down and just hold it there. The engine does not need to be running as the clutch has nothing to do with the engine.

When you get the pedal to stick just hold your foot on the pedal and have someone open the bleeder on the slave cylinder and if the pedal goes to the floor you have a bearing slider sticking. However, if the pedal stays where it is, you have a master cylinder or slave cylinder problem. It does not matter if it is master or slave because as soon as you have a failure in either, you should replace both or rebuild both. Be sure to use DOT 4 fluid.

If it is the bearing slider the transmission has to come out to gain access to it.

Howard