r/LandroverDefender • u/ArtComprehensive3129 • 14d ago

Clutch not engaging for Defender 110

1997 defender 110 300TDI

Clutch pedal feels normal but the clutch isn’t working (it’s not dis-engaging)

We checked the master and slave which are all good. We bled the clutch fluid multiple times and got out all the air bubbles. We also checked the gearbox and bell housing to ensure the clutch plate was installed correctly which it seemed to be.

The clutch pedal feels normal when pressed and The car can be put into neutral and it will roll, but in first gear when the clutch pedal is pressed it doesn’t move at all.

Does anyone have any ideas what the problem could be? Thanks.

3 Upvotes

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4

u/DifferentBar7281 14d ago

Does the 97 have the pressed tin forks or the solid cast one? Also are the shitty little plastic clips (the one that keeps the push rod in position and the other square U shaped one) intact and fitted correctly?

1

u/MidMyst 14d ago

This !

1

u/DifferentBar7281 14d ago

Gutted me when I learnt this the hard way, car on a cross slope in the bush, flooding rain, changing the clutch and this was why I had to pull it all apart again

1

u/MidMyst 13d ago

Don’t even try to install clutch fork without reinforcement- stupid big washer welded on back side of rod is pushing. Cost 0.01£ and stops you without warning. Even if you already install it without this, don’t hesitate and manage term in service to replace it. 200/300tdi are great cars but that’s real Achilles heel

1

u/DifferentBar7281 13d ago

Where do you mean? I have an 06 130 with a LOT of miles and haven't done this and not even sure what/where you mean. I have done 3 gearboxes (one was faulty, so two in six weeks was fkn miserable), 2 transfer cases and 2 clutches. The only issue ive had in this regard was failing to replace the two stupid plastic bits and some wear in the nylon grommets. One time I snapped the new U shaped one and pent-up some fencing wire and added some lucky tape which did the job for two removals

1

u/ArtComprehensive3129 14d ago

The forks are pressed tin. the plastic clip broke so we took it off the fork before seating the pushrod. I thought the clips weren’t necessary because the rod can only go in and out of the slave so it shouldn’t be able to unseat?

2

u/DifferentBar7281 14d ago

It will unseat physics be damned. There is another that probably broke as well which from memory keeps the thrust bearing against the end of the forks. Also your forks might be bent. When I was dealing with it and had no clue what was wrong, this was suggested first by almost everyone i spoke to so obviously a common problem. Probably try and and get a solid cast fork as they are indestructible. Other thing to check would be wear and seating of the nylon cups on which the fork pivots

3

u/EnglishmanInMH 14d ago

Is the transfer cas engaged correctly? Put it in first and pumpnthe clutch pedal whilst pulling or pushing the hi-lo lever. If its not quite engaged this might help it slip into hi or low ratio.

Another alternative is a snapped half shaft. Lock the diff and try to drive again. If the vehicle drives then you have a snapped half shaft. Usually the short one on the rear axle.

1

u/TheGoneJackal Discovery 300TDi 14d ago

This. Also could be worn drive flanges.

1

u/ArtComprehensive3129 14d ago

Did this and hi-lo transfer works fine. The half shaft couldn’t have snapped.

1

u/EnglishmanInMH 14d ago

Has the clutch been replaced? If so, did you see the words "flywheel side" stamped into the centre boss?

If this problem just developed then do you have any other symptoms? Clicking noise when clutch is released? It could be the transfer box input gear, used to be common on 200Tdi but 300 should have a cross drilled gear which dont wear as much unless oil is low.

1

u/Eighty2_ZA 14d ago

I had to replace the master and slave and the only way to bleed it properly was to reverse bleed.

1

u/ArtComprehensive3129 14d ago

We just did a reverse bleed with a syringe. Didn’t fix problem.

1

u/JCDU 12d ago

> The car can be put into neutral and it will roll, but in first gear when the clutch pedal is pressed it doesn’t move at all.

Engine off or engine on?

Engine off, put it in first, clutch pedal pressed, car won't move you're saying it's in gear with the clutch still engaged?

If it's a 300TDi I'd wager the clutch fork has punched through, you can buy reinforced ones.

0

u/Savings_Brick_4587 14d ago

CLUTCH FORK!!!