Hi

I've got a new clutch cable and have fallen at the furst hurdle. I can barely see the end of the cable at the pedal how do I remove the retaining clip from the top of the pedal? Haynes makes it sound so simple. How is this clip held in?

Taff

It might be easier if you unscrew the adjuster nut on the transmission first so you have more free play in the pedal and can see what's what. I'll probably be doing this job tomorrow myself as my cable is starting to get much sticker, it must be the heat.

Thanks anewman. Clutch pedal is about 2 inches higher that brake pedal and the other end is rusted and I can't adjust cable. I don't think your suggestion would help. The clip is in such an awkward position. I'm assuming there is a circlip or something keeping the pin in that I can't see. I was wondering if it was just held in by friction and could be pulled from the o/s position.

The clip is shown in this pic as part 16, looks like an E clip to me, so long nose pliers or a flat bladed screwdriver should get it off.. If you look in the engine bay to where the clutch cable disappears it will be around that height at the pedal, so it's quite high up.

Looks like it attaches to the "nobbly" bit right at the top of the clutch pedal

Cheers mate. Will have a look when the wife gets back from bingo!

Still can't see. Can only just get a finger to it if I put my hand over the brake pedal, can't see how you can work on it. Looks impossible to get to!

Taff

I'm afraid the bad news is that there is no easy way. Most clutch cable replacement jobs involve standing on your head in the footwell (legs over the back of the driver's seat) with a torch in your teeth. Usually it's just about possible to see what you're doing from some angle. But yes, do free off the other end of the cable first.

Well a 6mm allen key and 4 allen key bolts undone later the driver's seat comes out Rear seats simply unhinge while being folded forward. A nut splitter, for example Toolstation > Hand Tools > Mechanics Tools > Nut Splitter Set should get the nut off.

THanks Richard. I was beginning to suspect I'd need to try something unusual. Will try again next weekend. The stupid thing is that the rest of the fitting looks quite simple.

Those little circlips that hold the cable to the pedal have a nasty habit of springing off and getting lost. Be very careful not to lose it, or get a spare one from a Skoda dealer first.

I can attest to the above post! Don't let the bl**dy thing get away from you or you will spend hourse ripping out the interior like I did to find it again!!!! I just pushed the circlip off with a small screwdriver! I would suggest getting a magnet even just a fridge magnet would do and hold it next to the clip when you push it off that way it should jump to the magent and not to where you cant find it!

Rich

If it's the same as mine, push the clutch cable horizontally towards the clutch pedal and this will make the clip more easily visible.

Also I ended up using a deep 10mm socket and a pair of molegrips to remove the nut on the transmission end after wire brushing the rust off and spraying with penetrating oil. The nut splitter attempt didn't work.

Update: The old cable was very stiff. Pedal is much higher than before for same amount of adjustment on the nut (the pedal spring is attached). Only causes I can think are that the old cable was too stiff to free off, that the new cable is slightly shorter (meant for mpi felicia), or the pedal spring has lost efficiency.

Clutch feels so much better when driving now. Managed to stall when reversing as I'm not used to the lower biting point.

Edited 1 June, 200917 yr by anewman

Thanks very much all. Great advice anewman. Looking at the nutsplitter does it damage the threads? My cable has never been adjusted but it is rusted too much to get the nut off. Would it be easier to remove the nut and use a die to clean the threads before sticking a new nut on?

A nut splitter isn't supposed to damage threads if used with care, but the threads are on the cable itself so if it's being replaced it shouldn't matter. I found a nut splitter didn't work for me though and wire brushed the rust off, and found it spun off with a deep 10mm socket and mole grips on the cable tight to stop it rotating.

Yep theres a circlip on the pedal end holding it on the "nobbly bit" like Anewman describes, just prise it off with a screwdriver but make sure it doesnt ping off somewhere else!!!

It's an easy job. Me and my Dad fitted one to my Favorit the day I bought it.

Hi Taff. The clutch cable, at the pedal end, is secured by a small circlip which is easily removed (and lost !) once you find it. Re-fitting the circlip can be an absolute nightmare due to lack of space. When replacing mine I tied a length of cotton to the circlip so it could be easily found when it (frequently) flew off. Eventually, after two of us failed to replace the original clip I fitted a slightly larger one-still with cotton attached-and this hasn't caused any problems. The cable ? still squeeks when the pedal is depressed which was the main reason for taking the cable off in the first place.I did put a new cable on but for some unknown reason it wouldn't operate the clutch lever on the gearbox properly so the original cable was re-instated. Will try changing it again soon.

Regards Rob:cool:

Thanks guys. I'm considering removing seat and trying again the first dry weekend. Is the circlip normal? in that I'll need a set of pliers which open up under pressure.

Taff

It's more of an e clip like in the pic below so you just need to encourage it off with a screwdriver and push it firmly back on when replacing.

What anewman says.

Prise off with a flat screwdriver and stick back on with pliers.

When replacing mine I tied a length of cotton to the circlip so it could be easily found when it (frequently) flew off.

This is an excellent idea. These clips are on all sorts of things and always spring off. I'd never thought to do this but I will next time. Thanks:thumbup: