The clutch in my punto is getting rather grindy, culminating in some quite impressive shaking of the chassis when you hit the sweet spot, trundling in traffic. Ive got the haynes manual but have never attempted anything more difficult than changing brake discs + pads. Should I give it a go or just bin the punto?

Ebay has the beans for £42 > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FIAT-PUNTO-1-1-1-2-8v-55-60-93-99-COMPLETE-CLUTCH-KIT_W0QQitemZ150388425466QQcategoryZ10382QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BFICS%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63

Might it be something else? Do I need any special tools? (I have hammers)

Bring a friend whos don it

In fact, I might even sort out the suspension (is all corroded and bangs at the back) and do the rocker cover gasket for some win.

Quote from: bearBring a friend whos don it

Ill have an assistant, problem is - I have more experience than him!

Buy an old engine & box and swap the whole thing out? Clutch is a pita job afaik.

youll need a clutch centring tool thing (cant remember the name of it)

you need it to line up the clutch plate properly before you bolt the pressure plate in tight..... if its not lined up right you wont be able to get the gearbox back in...


does it grind all the time ?  theyre normally ok once you get going.... by the time theyre grinding all the time you cant normally drive it anymore...

sure its no an engine mounting or something like that ?


if it is the clutch, this is the diagram of what i was talking about...
http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/clutch-link/clutch_diagram.gif
don;t know why they call it a throwout bearing tho, never heard of that before, everyone I know calls it a clutch release bearing... maybe the pic is American?

Quote from: knightyyoull need a clutch centring tool thing (cant remember the name of it)

you need it to line up the clutch plate properly before you bolt the pressure plate in tight..... if its not lined up right you wont be able to get the gearbox back in...


does it grind all the time ?  theyre normally ok once you get going.... by the time theyre grinding all the time you cant normally drive it anymore...

sure its no an engine mounting or something like that ?


if it is the clutch, this is the diagram of what i was talking about...
http://www.jeepfan.com/tech/clutch-link/clutch_diagram.gif
don;t know why they call it a throwout bearing tho, never heard of that before, everyone I know calls it a clutch release bearing... maybe the pic is American?

Most clutches should self centre, never had to use a tool and never had a clutch issue Just frying gearboxs....

never had any problems getting the gearbox back on like that ?

I get that itll self center as soon as you push the clutch for the first time.... but have always thought you need to center it properly first to get the gearbox shaft through ok and into the flywheel ?

but then again... Ive never done it without one... so maybe Im just wasting my time using it !

Quote from: knightynever had any problems getting the gearbox back on like that ?

I get that itll self center as soon as you push the clutch for the first time.... but have always thought you need to center it properly first to get the gearbox shaft through ok and into the flywheel ?

but then again... Ive never done it without one... so maybe Im just wasting my time using it !

In all honesty I think Im just hitting it lucky all the time bud

Most places would advice to use one but Ive had to knock so many boxes off now that I dont mind the screaming at it when it wont go around the Chasis leg properly

I think Ill give it a go because its only £42 and if I screw it up then Ill be no better off (Im not paying for ay work on the car, Ill scrap it).

However,the main problem is the juddering when crawling in traffic, is this definitely the clutch?

Quote from: MaldonadoHowever,the main problem is the juddering when crawling in traffic, is this definitely the clutch?

nope!

describe it more....

it depends on the actual problem. Is it grinding or juddering?

Juddering is usually down to a worn or contaminated clutch

grinding is usually down to the mechanics controlling the clutch, i.e. hydraulics leaking, cables streched, thrust bearing worn etc

Tbh grinding probably wasnt a very accurate description. The juddering is the main problem when accelerating from <10mph. This sometimes culminates in the entire car shaking so badly that I have to dip the clutch back in and try again. However, there are no issues when up to speed, going up or down the box. Pressing the clutch pedal isnt a smooth action, there has always been two stages - first is easy push for around half the travel, then it suddenly steps up to a much harder push for the latter half of travel. Not really a problem though, more a feature I think. Recently its developed a crunch down at the bottom of the travel. None of this seems to affect how the clutch actually performs though.

The reason for not bothering to get it looked at by a professional is the list of other problems that I may have a go at if I fix the clutch...

Suspension still clunks at the back. This might possibly be the exhaust knocking against something.

3 corners have corroded suspension - was flagged on the MOT but not an issue just yet

Rocker cover gasket leaks oil. This was supposed to have been fixed a couple of years ago but the job wasnt done properly. Shame I never bothered to lift the bonnet after they did it until it was too late to complain! This may be causing...

The oil light has started coming on from time to time. I assumed that it just needed a top up as per the leaking gasket so I chucked some oil in straight away (thanks Nathen!) but that hasnt stopped it from intermittently coming on. I think Ill have a look at the filter as it may be blocked.

The height adjustment on the drivers seat only goes down so far, then it drops the rest of the way - I think a couple of teeth on a cog are worn off / worn down. As Im 6 foot tall, I like the seat to be very low but its not fun when you hit a speed bump and the seat collapses under you!

Synchromesh on 1st and 2nd is shot.

These are the problems that can be fixed. What cant be fixed (at a reasonable price) is the damage that I did to it spinning off a roundabout a little while back - bent front bumper mounts and radiator mount. Ive levered everything back into a safe and workable position but the bumper is now held on with cable ties. Its nice and secure (probably more secure than it was before the crash!) and is neatly done but the radiator mount is properly bent well out of position. I also cracked and then removed both wheel arch liners and some plastic shrouding from the engine. All this effectively means the car is un-saleable.

This little lot would cost far more than the cars worth to get fixed properly. I dont mind getting my hands dirty but I dont have money to waste.

Rocker cover and Clutch are typical Fiat things, I had the same issues.

Scrapper to get a new seat, Bushes can be a PITA if you havent got a press.

Id Cube it and get something interesting.

Quote from: soopahflyId Cube it and get something interesting.

So would I, if I could afford something interesting to replace it with