306 clutch problems

-Mike- · 13 Feb 2006 at 02:27

My clutch on my 306 is really odd, it starts to bite very low down and yet 'full biting' isnt until the pedal is nearly at the top. I've just found the following on honestjohn

Clutch cable of RHD cars is routed close to the exhaust, which dries out the lubrication and prevents the self-adjuster working properly which leads to premature clutch failure. (Thanks to Mike Brewer of Channel 4's 'Driven' for this snippet.)

Is there any chance that my adjuster is broken due to the above and I can just reoil or renew the cable or do you think the clutch is dead? I'm due to be getting a new gearbox sometime soon as it whines but what are my chances with the clutch?

Gixer · 13 Feb 2006 at 06:34

Had a similar thing on my 306 GTI-6. The adjuster had dried out. Fitted a new clutch cable myself, which was a nightmare as some idiot put the air-con system right in the way!! However clutch feels much much better now. The adjuster doesn't actually break, the lube just dries out due to the heat from the exhaust.

Has the clutch started letting go itself though? i.e. when the car is under load (say with people in it up hill and high gear) floor it. If the revs rise the actual clutch is on its way out, not just the cable.

The cable would be my first point of call though, its only about £30-£35 I think, I got with the car it when I brought it so didn't pay for it.

-Mike- · 13 Feb 2006 at 14:40

Hello mate, the clutch still holds its own at the minute, doesnt slip when you put the car under load so I might have to give the clutch cable a shot and hope that will fix it

Cheers for the reply.

lordrobs · 13 Feb 2006 at 16:40

What your describing seems to be a bit of a characteristic with 306's. Mine bites low but has a fair bit of travel before its fully engaged. I don't really notice it though until I go to drive another car and end up launching it when trying to pull away smoothly.

Kamerad · 13 Feb 2006 at 18:07

The whole transmission is horrible on the 306. Notchy gearboxes with a heavy clutch doesn't make for pleasant driving

lordrobs · 13 Feb 2006 at 19:41

I quite like the heavy clutch, its got a fair bit of weight behind it but its really smooth unlike some other cars i've driven. I'd disagree about the gearbox too, it is very slightly knotchy but in a good way, it give quite a positive feel when you change gears.

Kamerad · 13 Feb 2006 at 19:55

I think the gear box was just broken on my 306

Went through two

-Mike- · 13 Feb 2006 at 22:09

You broke two gearbox's? Your driving style must have been interesting!

Gixer · 13 Feb 2006 at 22:09

306 gearboxes are made of cheese apparently

Just hoping mine never goes as it wont be cheap!

I agree they can be slightly notchy, but I like the feel of my clutch and the positive shift

-Mike- · 13 Feb 2006 at 22:44

Gixer said:
306 gearboxes are made of cheese apparently Just hoping mine never goes as it wont be cheap!

I agree they can be slightly notchy, but I like the feel of my clutch and the positive shift

Mine is getting gradually worse, 95+vat for gearbox and 60 quid to fit it and a new clutch (clutch is obviously extra)

Kamerad · 13 Feb 2006 at 22:53

-Mike- said:
You broke two gearbox's? Your driving style must have been interesting!

The first one broke as it dropped all its oil but the second one started out ok but then just felt as notchy as the first. I got rid of the car shortly afterwards so I wasn't bothered

-Mike- said:
Mine is getting gradually worse, 95+vat for gearbox and 60 quid to fit it and a new clutch (clutch is obviously extra)

I paid nearly £400 for gearbox and clutch inc fitting

Bigsy · 13 Feb 2006 at 23:01

I dread stop/start driving in the 306DT we have, it's just such hard work with simply the worst clutch I have ever used and a god awful gearbox. It is worlds away from my CTR.

Kamerad · 13 Feb 2006 at 23:05

I've just remembered something else annoying about the gearbox. It wouldn't let you engage first gear unless you were stationary :V. Very annoying on steep hills, pulling up to junctions.

-Mike- · 13 Feb 2006 at 23:10

Kamerad said:
I've just remembered something else annoying about the gearbox. It wouldn't let you engage first gear unless you were stationary :V. Very annoying on steep hills, pulling up to junctions.

Mine does, but its got to be sub 10mph before it will do it. Its not really a problem because it will pull down to idle most of the time in second.

Gixer · 13 Feb 2006 at 23:36

Yup mines the same, but then it isnt good for the syncrhomesh to put it in 1st gear at speed (think thats right) 2nd gear on mine has loadsa oomp anyway, my car can quite happily pull away in 2nd, though of course not as fast as 1st.

£400 sounds like the figure it would be for my gti-6 box to be done too

not lookin forward to that one. Same price for the cambelt too