I need some 2001 Focus help for someone...

[beko1987]

"oh Sam, I'm glad you're in..."

 

Colleagues wife's focus broke some plastic clutch bracket over the weekend (so it's not just French this happens to!)

 

Anyone know what this part is called, and how the rest of it comes off to be changed? I presume the other end is attached to a cable (he said it is there still) but I did tell him I knew nothing about it, but knew some chaps who might...

 

[sierraman]

In short, you can't, it's part of the clutch master cylinder. You have to replace the lot, new part is £20 on eBay but it's a pig to fit if you don't like working upside down in the footwell of the car.

[cpjitservices]

Yep I had this in my Focus, thats located at the top of the clutch pedal and you cant replace that little part I went to Ford and bought a new master cylinder and fitted it within an hour. The drive to Ford without a clutch was interesting. Cost about £40 quid I think.

 

THat white bit connects to the top of the pedal on an actuator type thing, I actually bodged mine - before I replaced it. I piece of copper pipe attached to that bottom of that and squahsed onto it to hold it all in place did the trick.

[cpjitservices]

In short, you can't, it's part of the clutch master cylinder. You have to replace the lot, new part is £20 on eBay but it's a pig to fit if you don't like working upside down in the footwell of the car.

Yep, a chlostrophobic job and not a lot of room to move. Think I actually removed the driver's seat.

[sierraman]

Also involves a bit of fannying around at the bulkhead at the other side to release the connectors, then you'll need to bleed the clutch, which in itself isn't hard.

 

Probably an hour or so Labour in a garage.

[beko1987]

Awesome, thanks chaps! He's read your replies, and thinks letting it roll 1/2 a mile down the road from his house, throwing the bit I photographed into the footwell and calling the AA for a tow to his local garage might be the way forward!

 

Me regailing him with the tale of me changing the clutch clip in the xantia possibly helped him come to this decision...

[dollywobbler]

No need to roll it. Driving without clutch is a skill everyone should have! The first time is always very exciting. Driving across Birmingham with no clutch in my 2CV was perhaps my most exciting time. A bit of rev matching and all should be well. 

[sierraman]

AA man might even fit it at the roadside, wouldn't bank on it though.

[beko1987]

A local garage is popping round this afternoon to have a look apparently, and made noises about just being able to replace the arm. I made noises about making sure the master cylinder isn't on the way out or similar (as per the clutch clip going twice on my xantia, pointing to issues further down the system etc) and he said he would bear it in mind.

 

I've driven A ZX 1.4 with no clutch (to see if I could rather than it being broken) and a corsa c 1.2 not out of choice and it was fairly OK, stopping at junctions was fun* though, amber gambling needed in a few places. Could not get the Xantia to do it though when I had to limp to mums with no clutch, got 2nd but no further, reversing onto the drive tidily so my stepdad could get on that night without reversing through the garage door is something I don't want to try again though...

[sierraman]

Chances are if it's old it's weeping anyway. I'm surprised how well they actually last given they're only plastic.

[Eddie Honda]

What a miserable piece of design. 

 

[steveo3002]

get a good brand if replacing , dont want to do it twice

 

 

didnt find it too hard to do , needed a ratchet spanner iirc , use a syringe and clear hose to reverse bleed it easily

[beko1987]

We've had an update!

 

"

Hi Mate,

 

Just thought id update you, the guy came out to fix my wifes car today, apparently the clip on the pedal itself has is broken which caused the issues. The replacement part from Ford apparently costs £500!!!!!

 

Although hes managed to find one for £35 on ebay!

 

Does that sound about right to you?"

 

I told him to go for it, as the cars probably not worth £500. Told him to mind the labour charge to change the pedal assembly and master cylinder/master cylinder clip though.

 

Orl new cars etc

[beko1987]

Oh, turns out this is after £140 for a new master cylinder. Oops, but tbh the prices seem fair for getting someone else to do it

[cpjitservices]

All he needs is the new master cylinder, happened to my Focus, £30 odd quid for the part and a couple of hours of time. Job done. It's a fiddly job - clutch will need bleeding afterwards. But its two bolts and out it comes.

[beko1987]

He won't fix it himself, he's not that sort of chap. I think he would like to, but knows he doesn't know how.

 

He got into a flap when the battery in his old corsa died, once I jumped it off the xm he went straight round to get a new one, despite me saying it'll be fine... He'd left his lights on

 

He made a big thing of trying to get me as close as possible without touching his bumper... Once he was happy I let him turn around and rolled into him... Luckily he does have a sense of humor

[sierraman]

Why don't you do him a turn and swap it for him?

[cpjitservices]

Why don't you do him a turn and swap it for him?

I would if I still had the tools.... and he was local.

[beko1987]

Why don't you do him a turn and swap it for him?

Because I'm not free until next weekend to do it, plus don't know how. It's being done as we speak I think. He also lives 60 miles from my house.

 

Excuses I know, but their all the excuses I have

[sierraman]

You've forgot, 'can't be arsed, I've got too much shit of my own to mend'.

[Rusty_Rocket]

Got the T-shirt with this one too. Clutch master failed along with the pedal. It's cheap nasty rubbish (as you'd expect for a Ford) and I too am amazed they last as long as they do.

I don't remember it to be a difficult job, but for some reason took an absolute age to bleed through, along with loads of brake fluid. I bodged the clutch pedal with a nut & bolt iirc, which worked fine and outlasted the rest of the car. 

[cpjitservices]

Got the T-shirt with this one too. Clutch master failed along with the pedal. It's cheap nasty rubbish (as you'd expect for a Ford) and I too am amazed they last as long as they do.

I don't remember it to be a difficult job, but for some reason took an absolute age to bleed through, along with loads of brake fluid. I bodged the clutch pedal with a nut & bolt iirc, which worked fine and outlasted the rest of the car. 

I couldn't afford to fix the master cylinder on mine to begin with. I bodged it with a piece of copper pipe squashed and melded to fit, glued the white actuator thing inside of that and popped it in place. It lasted quite a while like that. 

[beko1987]

You've forgot, 'can't be arsed, I've got too much shit of my own to ignore '.

Ftfy. I'd feel a hipocrite if I spend a day doing that and not change my oil/change my thermostat/hoover it out/wash it...