Clutchless gear change

arcon5

your flywheel failed then

gilbert_and_sullivan

Constant mesh (crash) boxes as fitted to lorries when they were proper, were perfect for clutchless changes and just as well because air assisted clutches were rare indeed in those days.

Agree with Joe Horner, its not ideal on a synchromesh box unless you are very accurate matching road gear and engine speeds, even then the rings can baulk you which doesn't happen on constant mesh which have no synchros, but when you get the clutch fixed perfecting by synchronising r g e speeds will lead to long gearbox life with virtually no wear on the synchro rings.

Richard53

Joe has it right up there ^^^. Properly timed (i.e you only move the lever when there is no load at all on the cogs) it does no harm at all. It depends on the gearbox how easy it is. I once lost the clutch completely on a Triumph Dolomite and drove through Leeds centre in the rush hour using this technique with no problem at all. I just avoided coming to a complete halt. I used to change without the clutch quite often, just for the fun of it. On the Mondeo it was much more difficult to get it right, and I suspect that is front-wheel drive and 35 years of engineering development, with better synchro etc. The RWD Dolly was very basic in comparison.


Starting in gear is for emergencies only, as it puts very high loads on components that were not designed to take them.

Stroller133

I did about 60k in a 1.3 Polo and over 70k from new in an Astra where perhaps 10-20% of gear changes were done without the clutch. Neither car needed a clutch or had any obvious gearbox issues. A colleague had the Astra after me up to about 120k and it's still on the original clutch. I don't even consciously decide how to change most of the time.

straighttalker

You can still set off from stationary without a clutch. Stick the car in first with the engine off, then start the engine and it'll kangaroo into life. Just make sure there is ample space in front of you when you do this.

Richard53

straighttalker wrote: »

You can still set off from stationary without a clutch. Stick the car in first with the engine off, then start the engine and it'll kangaroo into life. Just make sure there is ample space in front of you when you do this.

You *can*, but I wouldn't make a habit of it.

pendragon_arther

Mart34 wrote: »

Hi Guys,
As the title says, I'm having problems with my clutch, actually resigned to the fact it needs a new one £695 is the best quote so far. Alot more than I expected but unfortunately it is what it is.

I've been shown a way of changing gear without the use of the clutch, never knew you could until recently. I've tried it and yes it does work. (just a case of matching the gear to the speed, or vice versa) Anyway, is it causing any damage to the gearbox? I'm not getting any crunching sounds or grinding when I do it.

Wow. How times have changed. I was a trainee fitter after leaving school in the 60s and I changed the clutch on our Ford Cortina myself, with my wife assisting under the jacked up car.

Joe_Horner

Yeah, clutch changes used to be one of those uncomfortable but straightforward jobs. Now you'll probably find that the new plate needs to be coded to the rear window wiper ECU for some obscure reason

Mart34

I have been driving for 16 yrs, my first car was a Peugeot 205 style. Still had a pull out York (or whatever they were called) I remember the engine compartment being pretty spacious (until I smashed it into a brick wall that was) anything that needed doing under their was probably an hour or 2 labour, I now look at the engine compartment in my insignia, and jeez I wouldn't know where to start if I was to do the clutch myself. Not that I would even attempt it as I'd probably cause more damage and have an even bigger repair bill.

AdrianC

Mart34 wrote: »

my first car was a Peugeot 205 style. Still had a pull out York (or whatever they were called)

Choke.

We sold our 205 Style a month or so ago...