1st Gen R53 Cooper S Clutch pedal hanging up...

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by caseydog, Mar 12, 2017.

  1. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
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    This started suddenly today, and hasn't stopped. R56 CooperS.

    When I engage the clutch, lifting my foot off of the clutch pedal at the top, the pedal stops, and then jumps the last half-inch with a "thunk." The clutch engages just fine -- no slipping.

    It it were an old time cable actuated clutch, I would think the cable was hanging on something. But, I'm not sure what would cause this on a modern hydraulic clutch.

    Any ideas?

    CD
     
  2. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Is it cold in Dallas today?

    Are you low on fluid?

    Just ideas.....
     
  3. Savvy

    Savvy Well-Known Member
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    Or.... the TOB is hanging on the input shaft. It's not likely hurting anything, unless it is keeping the clutch from 100% engagement.
     
  4. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Yeah, that could be it also.

    How many miles on the car? What year?
     
  5. 00Mini

    00Mini Well-Known Member

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    I've never had one out but could this be a slave cylinder problem ??
     
  6. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    Maybe, but if you can still shift gear your slave is not bad. When they fail you cannot get the car into any gear.
     
  7. BlimeyCabrio

    BlimeyCabrio Oscar Goldman of MINIs
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    Air in the clutch master can also cause funky behavior like this. If brake fluid is below the clutch tap on the reservoir, it's possible that you're drawing air into the master...
     
  8. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Not cold here, but I haven't checked the fluid. I need to do that. For some reason, I didn't think to do it. It just didn't seem like low fluid would do that, but I should have done it just to rule it out.

    CD
     
  9. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    My first concern was that it was momentarily keeping my clutch from fully engaging. It is only for a second, but over time, that could add up to damage.

    Looking at the tach, it does not appear that the clutch is not full engaging before the "thunk." I'm reasonably sure that no damage is being done to my clutch. But, I still don't like it.

    CD
     
  10. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    2007 model, 104,000 miles. It literally just started suddenly today. No warning. It drives just fine, with no unusual clutch actuation, other than that hang-up in the pedal.

    CD
     
  11. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    check that fluid
     
  12. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Once again, the problem seems to have solved itself. I had a problem with my high-beam headlights back in October of 2016, and it just magically went away.

    I drove to Fort Worth again today, which is a 50 mile drive. It didn't hang up once. I don't like not knowing what was wrong, but don't know how to fix a problem that goes away on its own.

    I'm going to take it to my MINI dealer for a fluid check and top-off. They do it for free, and will even wash and vacuum the car, if I want. I usually just get the vacuum done, since their car wash is a bit on the harsh side.

    Thanks for the advice, everyone. I may never know why it did what it did, but at least it didn't cost me any money... yet.

    CD
     
  13. MCS02

    MCS02 Moderator
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    Maybe you need to drive it more.:D
     
  14. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    I know that's true. Although, it would probably prefer being driven on some twisty country roads over Dallas urban slabs of concrete. I know I would.

    CD
     
  15. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Well, the problem came back, but I now know what the problem was.

    Today, 50 miles from home, a bolt fell from under the dash onto the floor. It is one of the bolts that attaches the clutch pedal arm to the car. Lucky for me, I shot a car at a restoration shop, and one of the mechanics figured it out and fixed it for me. The clutch worked for a about an hour after the bolt fell out, but at the restoration shop, I couldn't start the car, because of the safety switch that tells the computer that the clutch is depressed was not able to do its job.

    But, alls well that ends well.

    CD
     

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