My clutch isn’t as smooth as I would like , so am considering replacing the clutch cable
I have heard the diesels cable is a pain to replace with the engine still in situ - does anyone have any experience or thoughts on changing one on a. 1.6 petrol RHD?
Thanks muchly.
Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
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- BXpert
- Posts: 229
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:34 am
- Location: Kent
- My Cars: Landrover discovery sport 2020
Previously ipace/discovery 5/velar and many others including 2 bx gti back in early 1990 - x 12
Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
BX Meteor. Sub 20000 miles. Very Original.
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose
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- 1K Away
- Posts: 1945
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:54 am
- Location: Usually in the garage
- My Cars: BX GTi, C3 Auto
- x 92
Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
Do you mean its a bit stiff. First thing to check is that the pivot on the gearbox is well lubed and the same for the clutch pedal too.
Changing the cable is not ever described as easy as its very fiddly to attach it through the bulkhead to the top of the pedal. There is a pesky locking bush to set in place requiring you to be a contortionist and that is after you have removed the 3x 8mm screws holding the rubber cover on the bulkhead.
Then after you have done all that you may find that it is the clutch itself that is not "smooth".
Changing the cable is not ever described as easy as its very fiddly to attach it through the bulkhead to the top of the pedal. There is a pesky locking bush to set in place requiring you to be a contortionist and that is after you have removed the 3x 8mm screws holding the rubber cover on the bulkhead.
Then after you have done all that you may find that it is the clutch itself that is not "smooth".
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
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- BXpert
- Posts: 229
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:34 am
- Location: Kent
- My Cars: Landrover discovery sport 2020
Previously ipace/discovery 5/velar and many others including 2 bx gti back in early 1990 - x 12
Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
It’s not stiff, just not a smooth action on the pedal. Everything looks lubed.Jaba wrote: Tue May 04, 2021 11:01 pm Do you mean its a bit stiff. First thing to check is that the pivot on the gearbox is well lubed and the same for the clutch pedal too.
Changing the cable is not ever described as easy as its very fiddly to attach it through the bulkhead to the top of the pedal. There is a pesky locking bush to set in place requiring you to be a contortionist and that is after you have removed the 3x 8mm screws holding the rubber cover on the bulkhead.
Then after you have done all that you may find that it is the clutch itself that is not "smooth".
I did suspect it would be a pain to do, and as you note there is the possibility it’s the clutch that needs doing possibly it hasn’t aged well.
BX Meteor. Sub 20000 miles. Very Original.
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose
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Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
Pain in the arse. It's the pedal end that's the problem, everything else is easy.
One third of a three-spoke BX columnist team for the Citroenian magazine.
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CCC BX registrar: The national BX register - click to submit a car!
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- BXpert
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- Joined: Tue Aug 15, 2006 11:15 am
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- My Cars: 1991 Citroen BX 16v
- x 28
Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
Even taking the driver's seat out and removing the steering wheel and lower shroud for decent access it's a pig of a job.
When I changed my pedal box last summer due to the usual floppiness in the throttle pedal, I discovered my clutch cable wasn't seated "correctly" (but had operated fine for years). After spending about four fruitless hours trying to put it back in the "correct" way I just gave up and reinstalled it as it had been. Naturally I took the opportunity to give it all a very good oiling and greasing on the moving parts etc while I was there, but if you want a proper job doing (and from your posts thus far it sounds like you're a perfectionist!) then if I were you I'd leave well alone. Get your head down there and give everything a good greasing/oiling though, and as others have said ensure the pivot at the gearbox end is also nicely greased, and fingers crossed you'll have years of reliable service to come.
When I changed my pedal box last summer due to the usual floppiness in the throttle pedal, I discovered my clutch cable wasn't seated "correctly" (but had operated fine for years). After spending about four fruitless hours trying to put it back in the "correct" way I just gave up and reinstalled it as it had been. Naturally I took the opportunity to give it all a very good oiling and greasing on the moving parts etc while I was there, but if you want a proper job doing (and from your posts thus far it sounds like you're a perfectionist!) then if I were you I'd leave well alone. Get your head down there and give everything a good greasing/oiling though, and as others have said ensure the pivot at the gearbox end is also nicely greased, and fingers crossed you'll have years of reliable service to come.
1991 Citroen BX 16v
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- Location: Usually in the garage
- My Cars: BX GTi, C3 Auto
- x 92
Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
Just to reinforce Rob's sage comments here is my clutch cable story to convince you to leave well alone.
For years my GTi had a stiff clutch. I changed the cable twice and the clutch once and it was still hopeless compared to my TDs. So I gave up on the push rod type clutch and changed it over to the superior TD and 16v pull type actuating lever in the gearbox and was finally rewarded with a smooth clutch.
When you keep a car for more than 20 years there is always plenty of time to work your way through the to do list. You never get to the bottom of course because it just keeps getting added to as fast as you cross stuff off. Must fix those LHM leaks.
For years my GTi had a stiff clutch. I changed the cable twice and the clutch once and it was still hopeless compared to my TDs. So I gave up on the push rod type clutch and changed it over to the superior TD and 16v pull type actuating lever in the gearbox and was finally rewarded with a smooth clutch.
When you keep a car for more than 20 years there is always plenty of time to work your way through the to do list. You never get to the bottom of course because it just keeps getting added to as fast as you cross stuff off. Must fix those LHM leaks.
The Joy of BX with just one Citroën BX to my name now. Will I sing Bye Bye to my GTI or will it be Till death us do part.
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- BXpert
- Posts: 229
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:34 am
- Location: Kent
- My Cars: Landrover discovery sport 2020
Previously ipace/discovery 5/velar and many others including 2 bx gti back in early 1990 - x 12
Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
many thanks all, given the above comments I may back burner this task and the new clutch cable I have.
For now, this weekend I will attempt to lube the cable and see what that yields
again, thanks everyone
For now, this weekend I will attempt to lube the cable and see what that yields
again, thanks everyone

BX Meteor. Sub 20000 miles. Very Original.
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose
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- Over 2k
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74 D Super 5 black
05 Volvo V50 2.0d 180k
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Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
I don't know why a hydraulic clutch was never fitted to the bx.
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
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90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
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- BXpert
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Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
More than half of XM's didn't get one either.
Bean counters kept busy in the PSA era.
Just think, in more moneyed times, we could have had an LHM-powered one!
Bean counters kept busy in the PSA era.
Just think, in more moneyed times, we could have had an LHM-powered one!

Chris
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74 D Super 5 black
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Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
I'd guess on a t/d or 16v there is no room for a master cylinder behind the pedal
Has anyone experimented?
Has anyone experimented?
90 BX Tzd turbo 294k SORN undergoing major surgery
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
90 BX Tzd turbo estate 46k awaiting surgery
65 Peugeot Boxer Van the new workhorse
52 Toyota Rav4 180k Bulletproof Jap reliability
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- BXpert
- Posts: 681
- Joined: Sat Sep 12, 2020 4:04 pm
- Location: Sayalonga, Malaga
- My Cars: 1992 BX19D Millesime
- LHD, NA, AC, RP_5800
1996 XM 2.5TD Exclusive - x 73
Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
On XM 2.5 (and ?? V6), the master cylinder was fitted into the pedal assembly itself*, in a 'maintenance free' fluid assembly.
Slave cylinder was conventional.
Don't even think about such a conversion for BX, or surgery and years of chiro' will certainly follow.
At least LHD BX's had a very much shorter clutch cable. Less trouble?
* No...not a balloon under the pedal...
Slave cylinder was conventional.
Don't even think about such a conversion for BX, or surgery and years of chiro' will certainly follow.
At least LHD BX's had a very much shorter clutch cable. Less trouble?
* No...not a balloon under the pedal...
Chris
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- BXpert
- Posts: 229
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2021 12:34 am
- Location: Kent
- My Cars: Landrover discovery sport 2020
Previously ipace/discovery 5/velar and many others including 2 bx gti back in early 1990 - x 12
Re: Easy or a pain : replacing clutch cable 1.6 petrol
RobC wrote: Thu May 06, 2021 11:45 am Even taking the driver's seat out and removing the steering wheel and lower shroud for decent access it's a pig of a job.
Naturally I took the opportunity to give it all a very good oiling and greasing on the moving parts etc while I was there, but if you want a proper job doing (and from your posts thus far it sounds like you're a perfectionist!) then if I were you I'd leave well alone.
Not quite a perfectionist
I just believe if a job needs doing, or is at risk of failure which could cause a unfixable roadside breakdown, then it should be done and done properly.
Top of such jobs is the bottom radiator hose
Radiator fan appears not to come on when left to idle for 20 minutes.
The clutch cable is a distant third followed by
The auto choke which needs fettling, its great when cold but sub optimum when the engine is running but not quite warm enough for a smooth un choked idle.
OS rear door hinge needs knocking in properly. Looks a pig to do
Radio needs an ignition live
De rattle the B pillars
BX Meteor. Sub 20000 miles. Very Original.
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose
ToDo list.
1. ?G?e?t? ?c?a?m? ?b?e?t? ?e?t?c? ?r?e?p?l?a?c?e?d? ?e?t?c?
Have a GnT
2. G?e?t? ?t?h?e? ?r?a?d?i?o? ?t?o? ?w?o?r?k?.? ?
Have a GnT
3. Adjust the clutch
Have a GnT
4. Clean LHM tank then a complete flush
Have a GnT
5. Wash, clay bar then ceramic coat paintwork.
Have a GnT
6. Replace rear spheres
Have a GnT
7. Replace bottom hose