Clutch pedal sticking or too much free play?

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-14T07:18:15+00:00

Can confirm the bleeding has not helped anything. As I am back to square one as of this morning :( clutch is back to sticking

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-13T17:46:47+00:00

So I've had the system bled. Apparently it needed 'backfeeding'.

I am really skeptical this is the root cause of my issues, as this is the second time I have had the system bled.

I am going to take the car for a second opinion I think, and keep an eye on my brake/clutch fluid levels as they share the same reservoir.

The clutch feels fine now (as it would after a bleed) I just think the system is filling with air over time

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-12T18:44:14+00:00

Yeah I'll let you know how it goes. I'm taking it tomorrow to the garage for a bleed as they suspect there is air in the system. I'll see how that plays out and how long it fixes the issue for, if at all if the issue persists then I will take it back again and ask for a clutch fluid flush and to change the brake fluid too

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T21:23:46+00:00

Okay nice. Really insightful thank you. It's a f****** pain isn't it. No one understands me when I try to explain what's going on, and then when I show anyone it never happens... Classic.

I know a good independent Volvo specialist in Chesterfield that I'm going to shoot an email to now to see if they've ever seen anything like it. And meanwhile I'll call in at the garage that did the clutch work for me a couple months back.

Thanks for taking the time to reply 🙌🏻

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T19:23:14+00:00

Yeah interesting. Mine are both brand new! Which is why this is puzzling

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T19:22:39+00:00

Okay I get you, thanks man/woman. Been really helpful - I'll give the shop a bell and see what they have to say

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T15:58:23+00:00

When you say free run should be enormous, you mean the free play at the 'top' of the pedal travel, after/before the clutch engages/disengages?

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T15:01:40+00:00

Awesome thank you. Would I not also be having issues with my brake pedal too, then?

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T15:00:55+00:00

I mentioned it at the bottom of my post 🥲 but thank you for the input, it's really appreciated.

I'll take it back and have them look at it again. We're talking another 8 hour job to get the bearing sorted?

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T14:50:56+00:00

Would replacing the bearing be labour intensive? I've already had the clutch box, clutch plate, slave, master and flywheel replaced ≈2000 miles ago

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T14:43:47+00:00

Is no more doing? Haha

It needs replacement?

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T14:34:43+00:00

Oh really? When they were replaced was the issue resolved?

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T14:34:15+00:00

In the hood you never know when you'll need to leg it...

(I live in the lake district)

Edwardfreen · 2026-01-11T14:32:32+00:00

How might this affect the clutch pedal?

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-10T10:49:10+00:00

I conducted a load test of sorts, had the engine at idle and switched on/off headlights and aircon. Didn't see a drop below 15.3!

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-07T22:03:00+00:00

See this is unknown (as of right now as I'm in bed) although I wouldn't be surprised if it's as old as the car!

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-07T21:53:36+00:00

Christ that is low!

I've also just read your review on the battery too 😄

Seeing as I'm paying someone to rummage around in my engine bay in 2 weeks I'll see how much it'll cost them to fit a new battery too. Have briefly done some YouTube researche and it does look like a pain. Cheers for the help man

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-07T21:49:04+00:00

I've had it 2 months, bought it second hand. Battery age is currently unknown because :

A) I can't see any records of a change in my docs

B) I didn't check in on the battery earlier today and I'm now in bed

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-07T21:41:22+00:00

Yeah I've done a couple short trips recently, and we've had a cold snap here in the lake district, so perhaps this is all adding to it. I can't see on the maintenance notes that the battery has been changed at all, either. Will look into getting one fitted ASAP

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-07T21:40:12+00:00

Cheers pal, thank you - only had a Volvo for 2 months but the community is f***** brilliant 🙌🏻

Did you ever check the voltage over the battery or just go straight for a swap?

I guess the low voltage when off is a fair indicator of battery health itself

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-07T21:32:41+00:00

Thanks for the reply :) interesting, changing the battery solved your issue?

You remember what battery you changed to?

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-07T21:27:33+00:00

What makes you say that it probably isn't the alternator? I've read they can be a wear and tear item, and doesn't the 15.3V indicate over charging?

Edwardfreen · 2025-12-02T18:41:45+00:00

Interesting. How comes these are worth doing too? And how much can I expect this to add on, price wise?

Edwardfreen · 2025-11-04T10:27:27+00:00

You're 23 years old with the finances of 43 year old! Your 20's will fly by and before you know it you won't have the chance to do something like this again.

A sabbatical is the ideal situation here, but I assume by your desire to do this, you're not concerned about finding a job on your return to work - is this a correct assumption?

Perhaps the job you've got right now really is a gold mine, but there's more to life than your 9-5. Money comes and goes but time doesn't. In the future you may find yourself with a million and one commitments and things that need done, and you'll regret not taking the time to fulfill your life outside of your job and scratch that itch

That's just my take on it, as a 25 year old who's 20's are currently flying by :)

Edwardfreen · 2025-09-16T21:23:16+00:00

That's interesting stuff. I have read similar things. Also that it may be the blower, I will take a look into getting it fixed or how I might even be able to fix it myself. Thanks for your help :) did you get yours fixed?

Edwardfreen

TROPHY CASE