Gear problems after clutch change

Milliemogs_2

Apologies in advance for my lack of knowledge when it comes to cars, but I am a girl, and this is the first time I have had to have a clutch replaced.


So anyway had my clutch changed on Tuesday on my 61 plate Nissan Micra. Struggled for a couple of days to get used to it but is now driving fine most of the time (it's great to be able to get up hills again!)


From stationery both first gear and reverse slide easily in (far better than it has ever been) and then my car moves fine upwards through all gears My problem however is I am really struggling to change down gears, particulary to 1st gear, they feel incredibly notchy. If the car is at a complete stop then 1st gear slides in no problem. However if the car is moving at even 2 mph I cannot get 1st gear without forcing it. Until my car went in for its clutch change I was able to do this at low speeds (less than 5mph). After driving for a few minutes the gears are fine.

I guess my question is, is this just how the new clutch works or has something been damaged/not set up correctly during the clutch change and is it something that can be rectified.

Advice please.


Thanks in anticipation.

forgotmyname

Synchromesh in the gearbox worn. Ever had the oil changed in it?

Marktheshark

It needs bleeding, they have air in the system.
Getting them to admit it will be that hard bit.

Richard53

It might just be that the car is now as it should be


You mention difficulty getting up hills, so I am assuming that the clutch was slipping quite badly. Perhaps when you were putting it into first at low speed you were benefiting from a bit of clutch slip. Now that the clutch is working correctly, you're finding it more difficult. All cars seem to have different behaviours when it comes to first/reverse, moving/not moving etc. My Mondeo will slip into first easily at a standstill, but won't go into first easily while moving slowly unless I let the clutch up and rev it to match the shaft speeds (the old-fashioned 'double-declutch') beforehand. I wouldn't worry, unless the car becomes difficult to drive. It sounds to me as though it is now correct. At junctions, most cars will take off quite happily in second if they are moving even slowly. It's rare to need first gear unless you are setting off from a standstill.


I doubt it needs bleeding. If that were the case, it would be harder to engage gear at a standstill (the clutch won't be releasing far enough), whereas you say that first and reverse slide in easily when stationary.

peter12345678910

I would change the driving method.

So you are at 5th gear approaching a junction or lights.

Instead of lowing the gears, you can nudge the gear into neutral without even touching the clutch.

If it clear than just go straight to gear 2 or 3.

Probably forcing the car to break using gears wore out your clutch.

Though I ....

facade

Are you pressing the pedal all the way down into the carpet?
You may have got used to only pressing it down a little as the clutch was so worn.

bigjl

In my experience a gearchange is never exactly the same after a clutch change.

You could try double declutching.

Doesn't the Micra have a Clio gearbox in it?

EdGasket

bigjl wrote: »

In my experience a gearchange is never exactly the same after a clutch change.

You could try double declutching.

Then you've had bad workmanship. I've done my own clutches and the gears were exactly the same before and after. Had one done at Mr. Clutch and it was very difficult to select gears afterwards; they said the gear linkage was worn though it was fine when the car went in. I adjusted the gear linkage myself and guess what? Yep, it was fine again.

There should be no need to double declutch; if there is something is wrong.

Milliemogs_2

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply. Rang garage today, car being looked at again on Friday as now struggling to change down any gears. Garage said it may need rebleeding.

Let's hope it gets sorted this time as I am fed up of having to get buses!

bigjl

EdGasket wrote: »

Then you've had bad workmanship. I've done my own clutches and the gears were exactly the same before and after. Had one done at Mr. Clutch and it was very difficult to select gears afterwards; they said the gear linkage was worn though it was fine when the car went in. I adjusted the gear linkage myself and guess what? Yep, it was fine again.

There should be no need to double declutch; if there is something is wrong.

You're my hero.

facade

Milliemogs wrote: »

Garage said it may need rebleeding.

It shouldn't need bleeding at all, unless there is a leak somewhere and air is getting in.

"Modern" cars are fitted with a concentric slave cylinder inside the bell housing.

Manufacturers recommend this is changed when the clutch is changed, as they are so poorly engineered, that simply pushing them back when the new clutch is fitted causes them to leak.

(Can't see why, as normally wear in the clutch causes them to move back anyway, but that is what Nissan & Vauxhall suggest to name two I know of)