clutch gone

[fiatmaluch126]

Hi all, sorry for being away so long!!!  Long story!! Right, i'll answer any pending questions soon.  Hwew goes...My clutch has gone on me. It started 2 weeks ago by rattling when i engaged the clutch then stop when released, it got worse and louder. The other day i decided to take up the slack on the adjuster. Being halfway on the thread i thought ok no problem! (I noticed the locking nut wasnt there, so i added one.) I adjusted the cable, started the engine pressed the clutch then ping! No clutch! I thought the cable had snapped, but when i press the pedal it makes a grinding noise. I went under the car, and i can push the clutch lever in with my thumb easily! Any advice??? Will i need a complete clutch? (Which makes good sense being engine will be out.) Also, how hard is it to do myself, with no help. Also a brief what to do would be much appreciated!!  Regards David

[smallcox]

Hi Dave,

If the engine is coming out all will be obvious.
from what you say it sounds like the release bearing has collapsed and the inner race off what is left is grinding on the pressure plate fingers. Fitting a clutch is easy and once engine is removed from car you will see what needs to be done, the only tricky bit is re-lining the friction plate up when tightening the pressure plate cover to the flywheel. I made a tool for this, but if you can find a rod that fits into the spigot bearing then build up the shaft in the correct position with plastic tape until the splinds on the pressure plate just pass over this may help you.

Good luck

[fiatmaluch126]

ok, thanks smallcox. whilst i'm living in poland, i'll see if i can buy the proper tool, if not i will improvise. suggestions on what to use to remove engine?  one or two trolley jacks etc???  Regards David

[smallcox]

Hi,

I remove my engine with the car wheels sitting on a couple off bricks so I can slide undernear to undo the bellhousing bolts and support the gearbox with bricks and remove the engine straight out the back off the car with the rear valance removed and the engine sitting on a trolley jack with a small sheet of wood to protect the sump.

Easier with two people, but I do it alone (I have no friends)

[fiatmaluch126]

 THANKS SMALLCOX, I TOO HAVE NO FRIENDS!!!  SMALL WORLD LOL..OK ALL THIS INFO I GET NOW ILL PRINT AND IM STARTING TOMORROW MORNING ON STRIPPING DOWN THE BACK END READY...HAVENT BOUGHT A CLUTCH YET LOL...ONLY ABOUT 10 GBP.

[Rusty's Uncle]

Ah that is so sad 
But hey you don't need a friend when there are passing salesmen. I had one that came by this year & I let him go through his sales patter and he eventualy gave up but , after 3 times of asking , he got his jacket off and helped me lift my engine 
Well he did keep on asking me how he could help me as part of his patter 
Anyway without a lock nut on the cable the clutch adjustment will always work loose but it sounds like you have something busted there like SMALL(who loves ya baby)COX says. I did once have the bolt that secures the fork to the actuating shaft sheer so instant loss of clutch. Have you removed the tinware flywheel cover bottom front of bell housing, you might get some clues there 

[Draigflag]

I have friends, and just recently now a girlfriend, and a full time job, that's why my 126 is sat in a garage, with less than 300 miles on it since i bought it 18 months ago 

Imagine i had kids too? 

[michaelodonnell500]

the only tricky bit is re-lining the friction plate up when tightening the pressure plate cover to the flywheel.

If you have good collection of random sockets, you might be ok. I found one  (maybe 18/19mm) which was a good fit on the spiggot and the external diameter was a snug fit aginst the finger plate.
  :DMade it very easy!

[126blackbird]

 Where is the WIFE small cox  LOL

[fiatmaluch126]

THANK YOU... SMALL, RUSTY AND MICHAEL O, WILL TAKE THIS ALL ON BOARD, IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLUTCHES ON 126s?..MINES A 1999 ELEGANT MODEL

[smallcox]

" Where is the WIFE small cox  LOL"

It's a secret. but the flowers are flourishing

[Rusty's Uncle]

There are a whole load of clutches that will fit a 126. Fiat 850 , 127 , Panda , etc. There was quite a bit of chat on here about this a while back.
The strangest change I did was when the clutch went on our year old Bis. It was a Sunday and we needed the car for work the next day. I took the plate from an ancient Fiat 500 engine that had been in my shed for years . It went in & worked fine  

[fightingtorque]

Clutch tool as smallcox says -  a bit of rod and insulating tape to make up the two diameters.  Certainly dont buy the sykes pickavant clutch aligning tool hoping to use it for a 126 - I have one and the 126 clutch is too small for the smallest bush.  So I went back to the old rod and tape method that i had used in the old days.

[fiatmaluch126]

Hi all again!     (I must come back here more often!!)    anyways...clutch got changed in about 3 hours me and my polish mechanic mate. The complete clutch cost me 115 polish zlotych about £23. We got engine out and found the bearing had gone, and the splines on the plate had worn and were twice as big, if you get my drift! He didnt use any aligning tool just offered it up and hey presto! but have adjusted cable twice now since changing clutch the clutch pedal is about 2-3cm lower than the brake pedal at the moment is that ok?? and my problem now is i dont have reverse, second rarely and thirds a pig to find! ive slackened the two nuts and moved the lever but i think ive made it worse there! so dearest friends ! !  question .... what do you suggest?

[fiatmaluch126]

All is well now!