XR5 Clutch Question

Skid Marx · 05-09-2010, 04:34 PM

I've had my LV series XR5 since late May this year. It's great but one thing about it still bugs me.

That clutch. I'm hoping that mine is simply not adjusted correctly and that Ford can tweak it when I take it in for it's 3000k 'service' (read "quick inspection"). The problem is that the 2 stage spring action goes from very light to very sudden right at the take-up point. Now, if you're letting the clutch out slowly you can control it and when you're moving and you can let it out much quicker if you match your revs, it's OK.

The problem is when you're in stop/start traffic and you just want to gently nudge yourself along. My clutch is very hard to control at this point and I've acted like a bikini model and stalled it a couple of times. I look silly in a bikini so I'm hoping someone here can tell me if the 'over-centre helper spring' (or whatever they use in this) can be adjusted. Is the XR5 clutch hydraulic or cable or some servo/assisted device?

Surprisingly, it seems a bit better when it's stone cold but that may simply be because the idle revs are higher and so the 'bite' is smoothed out anyway.

Any advice will be rewarded by NOT receiving pictures of this middle-aged man in a bikini.

**DJM83** · 05-09-2010, 04:46 PM

I cant say ive had the same issue with my 5, the clutch in my 5 is very forgiving and to date not one stall. Id mention it to the dealer when its time for the 3000km once over. How many on it now?

Skid Marx · 05-09-2010, 05:17 PM

DJM83 - it's just coming up to 3000ks actually and it's going in for it's 3000k this week. I just wanted some advice beforehand in case they try to tell me it's normal.

**DJM83** · 05-09-2010, 05:21 PM

Welll as i said mine is pretty easy to control ive only had mine 2 weeks though. So it does indeed seem a little strange

XR5-Boy · 05-09-2010, 08:34 PM

Hey Skid,

I've had my LV since January and haven't had a prob with the clutch. I found it was very easy to control (even after not having driven a manual for a number of years). I'm in start stop traffic most days and I can roll it very easily. Get them to check it at the service to see if it's not behaving as it should.

Skid Marx · 05-09-2010, 10:48 PM

OK cats, it goes in this Thursday. I'll keep you informed of what they said/did.

Tj-zetec · 06-09-2010, 10:15 AM

Have you stuck your head under the dash to see if one of the springs is broken? It used to be a common problem on the old LR foci (which IMO had a heavier clutch than the 5) but haven't heard of the issue in any model since.

DBourne · 06-09-2010, 02:09 PM

You have a two stage type of feel?

a mate of mine had that, found there was a slight leak in his master cylinder.

Skid Marx · 06-09-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SgtBourne

You have a two stage type of feel?

a mate of mine had that, found there was a slight leak in his master cylinder.

I'm guessing that if I had a leak I would notice the clutch slowly taking up when sitting for extended periods with the clutch down. I know it's naughty to hold your foot down, but sometimes when you're waiting to pull into a busy road you need to be ready to launch. I haven't noticed any creep during times like that.

My problem is the sudden extra spring-back right where you want to control the pedal position.

entheos · 08-09-2010, 02:14 PM

Hmmmm....sounds like a manny issue (read:bourney's mate) sadly we still don't REALY know what's wrong with that car....3 clutches, 2 master cylinders, 3 slave cylinders and still has a SLIGHT 2 stage feel returning on the new RS clutch.

Master cylinder was the main issue, but the clutch which was fitted to it after the OEM one was slipping and giving that weird feeling didn't take incredibly well to the car.

Hopefully it'll be simply a 'fault' with the master cylinder....no tweaking available however. they're not serviceable..they either work or they don't...and if they don't they have to be replaced.

Where are you taking it for it's 3K POM inspection?

Skid Marx · 10-09-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entheos

Where are you taking it for it's 3K POM inspection?

Lynford in Perth.

I took it in on Thursday and they seemed to be interested enough to talk to me about it and even let me try to demonstrate the problem when I went to pick it up after they told me it checked out OK.

Because the problem seems to vary with frequency of use, it was hard to make this issue appear when I needed to show it up. I drove slowly around and around their car park trying to make it grab suddenly but the bloody thing drove as smooth as President Obama's limousine!

So I drove it back to work feeling like a bit of a idiot. I drove it home afterwards and it was perfectly OK. This morning, it reverted to dog-clutch mode a few times again and I will continue my search for answers. Everything about the rest of this car is so good, I'm driven to sort it out. If it was a crud-heap I wouldn't care.

Mad_Aussie · 21-09-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Marx

Lynford in Perth.

I took it in on Thursday and they seemed to be interested enough to talk to me about it and even let me try to demonstrate the problem when I went to pick it up after they told me it checked out OK.

Because the problem seems to vary with frequency of use, it was hard to make this issue appear when I needed to show it up. I drove slowly around and around their car park trying to make it grab suddenly but the bloody thing drove as smooth as President Obama's limousine!

So I drove it back to work feeling like a bit of a idiot. I drove it home afterwards and it was perfectly OK. This morning, it reverted to dog-clutch mode a few times again and I will continue my search for answers. Everything about the rest of this car is so good, I'm driven to sort it out. If it was a crud-heap I wouldn't care.

Lynford are a bunch of knobheads mate, go to an actual workshop, get a piece of paper from them stating the problem, and take that back to Lynford for them to fix.
I've had nothing but dramas with those idiots, will never deal with them again.

**DJM83** · 11-09-2010, 08:44 AM

Hope you get it sorted out mate

SCXR5T · 11-09-2010, 07:32 PM

I've found that most XR5's have a limited take up on slow take ups as in traffic, as they don't use a cushion spring set up in the clutch plate..So end result is no Give...

It gives the in or out effect.

WE have fitted S60R clutch kits to them, and a much more progressive feel due to them fitting cushion springs to the plate..

Skid Marx · 13-09-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCXR5T

WE have fitted S60R clutch kits to them, and a much more progressive feel due to them fitting cushion springs to the plate..

OK - thanks for that useful bit of info. I may well consider replacing the clutch, but being only 4 months old (the car, not me!), I'll have to make sure I don't void my warranty etc.

DBourne · 14-09-2010, 08:35 AM

IMO, if you are going to replace the clutch, get the RS clutch.

Skip past the S60, go straight to the RS.. It's springer than stock for sure, but god it feels good, specially when doing quick shifting.

MickG · 21-09-2010, 03:00 PM

Hey Skid Marx

I know exactly what you mean, mine does the same sometimes in slow traffic or when I'm not paying attention taking off from lights say. It suddenly drops and I lurch forward. Light pedal when fully depressed, then when you take up your foot, it can spring up quickly.
Mine has done this the same way every time since I got mine in May this year too. I suspect it's just a Ford thing but, most probably like yourself, if there is a fix or a tweak, I'd love to hear it!! I'm no mechanic but I'd say it's just he way they are a replacement clutch (unless aftermarket perhaps) might not resolve the issue.

Aye, Mick