Changing the clutch cable (from old site)

Changing the Clutch Cablecontributed by Rich Russell

The clutch cable snapping is a common problem with the GT Turbo. Here's a guide on how to change it.


Always use a genuine Renault clutch cable, and make sure you have the new style pedal (white plastic cable guide on top). You can get the pedal from a scrapyard if you need one for a couple of pounds.

Unclip the cable from the clutch lever on the gearbox. Unclip the cable from any clips you can see. In the footwell, unhook the cable from the clutch pedal quadrant (plastic toothed thing), and tie a long piece of string to the end. Prise out the grommet from the bulkhead (this requires a big screwdriver and a lot of effort!). Now pull the cable through into the engine bay until you get the string.

Untie it, and tie the new cable onto the string. In the footwell, pull it back through. It helps if you get someone to lie down and guide the cable round the back of the steering mechanism by reaching through the driver's side wheelarch at this point. You'll need to reach from top and bottom to get the cable end through the bulkhead hole as it's quite small.

When it's in the footwell, untie the string and clip the inner cable into the quadrant. Don't worry that it's hanging at a funny angle on the spring for now. Put the outer cable back in any clips you took it out of under the bonnet. Press the clutch pedal quadrant down and you'll find you can engage it on the toothed part of the pedal. Get it quite near the end of it's travel and hold it firm whilst someone else pops the other end on the clutch lever on the gearbox.

Press the pedal, the grommet should pop into the bulkhead and the quadrant will slip a bit (making a nasty noise!). Release the pedal and press it a few times. If it doesn't feel like biting in the right place, unpop it from the clutch end and try again. It's a matter of holding the quadrant against the teeth so it starts off at the furthest end, so that when it slips back it takes up the slack, not come off!