3500s Clutch Pedal Height - Stop

[Lovel]

My clutch pedal over the last couple of years has been eventually getting higher and higher relative to the brake pedal until the point yesterday when it started to strike the accelerator pedal crossshaft. The clutch works the same as it always did, it’s just there is a lot more movement until the play is taken up and its awkward to function with your foot.
I was looking for a stop in the pedal box that may be damaged/broken but cannot see anything to stop the pedal coming right up. Confused I then removed the master cylinder to see if I could see anything untoward. Upon removing the master cylinder the circlip that hold the piston and rod in was out of it’s groove, the groove being eroded/worn allowing the circlip to eject easily from the groove. Have ordered a replacement master cylinder which will hopefully let me regain the correct pedal height. Perhaps this is quite a common issue, but for me was new, I guess I’m a bit surprised that the circlip in the master cylinder determines the final height of the pedal or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Clutch Master cylinder showing circlip enaged in groove

 

[harveyp6]

If the circlip is out of its groove on the master cylinder then the pedal will rise. The whole setting up procedure relies on the circlip being in place. The pedal stop bolt is under the pedal, so won't stop the pedal rising if the circlip isn't there.

 

[chrisw]

But if the circlip is in place, it won't affect the height. The screw going through the pedal box needs to be set to the correct height, and the locking nut needs to be doing its job.