Vauxhall Zafira Clutch

[Hammer]

Mrs H couldn’t get the car in gear this morning and said the clutch felt floppy. It has been absolutely fine until now, no warning signs that it’s on the way out. Our breakdown people have taken it to our local garage who will have a proper look tomorrow, they are hoping it might just be fluid or a cable. Question is, can a clutch just ‘go’ with no sign of it wearing out first, or do you think it's something quick and simple (and cheap)? TIA

[jake-the-peg]

From a quick look arount the internet it appears that the Zafira has a hydraulic clutch rather than a cable - which sounds right.

From the description it doesn't sound as if the actual clutch has failed which leaves you with most probably Master cylinder, slave cylinder or pipework

Depending on type a pattern part (as opposed to a Vauxhall one) is going to be £75-120 plus more brake fluid plus say an hour's work to fix maybe £200-250

However clutches 'can' fail in more creative manners - I've had a Landrover slave wear a hole in the cluch fork causing a sudden failure like that and you have to get inside the clutch housing and replace it.

Can't tell for sure without looking but probably a master or slave failure

[SpikeyBush]

I had the release bearing go on an Astra years ago but it had been making a noise for a while. Sometimes if the noise increases gradually you don't notice it until it goes and you can't engage a gear. I knew exactly what was happening to my Astra, I just didn't want to part with any folding earlier than I had to. Decided to have the whole lot replaced while it was in bits at Mr. Clutch in Stockport for £90.00 but this must be going back a good 15 years or more.