15 replies to this topic

[erbil_69]

1988 Mini 1275.



Hey guys. My mini has been off the road for a while now.

The clutch stopped working... basically couldn't put it into gear.

Took off the clutch housing to find that the flywheel bolt was loose and the keyway plate has been broken in half... (see pic)

 Broken_Keyway.JPG   21.85K   12 downloads

I've just had a new clutch put in, so i'm guessing that the mechanic didn't tighten enough or used any threadlock???

So I got a new one, and when it came to putting on the new one in, it doesn't seem to fit in properly???
Again, i'm guessing that the crank has to align up with the flywheel boss??? Is this the case? (see pic)

 Misaligned_Crank.JPG   344.24K   36 downloads

What am I doing wrong or not doing at all?
How do I fix this?

Please help...

Edited by erbil_69, 09 January 2011 - 05:44 PM.

[mini13]

Hummm,

You could have an issue here, when the crank moves in relation to the flywheel it can friction weld to it,

You need to pull the flywheel and inspect the damage, you might get away with cleaning it up, but at the other end of the scale the flywheel and crank might be scrap, and you might have to cut them off.

[mk1leg]

As above crank weld NOT an easy job you may need to heat fly wheel with gas torch untill glowing then smack the fly through the starter hole ( be carfull not to break houseing.............or grind off old wheel and get a new one........

[erbil_69]

Woahhhhh..... is it that surious???

The Engine is in the car right now, but i'm guessing the flywheel removal using the method that you suggest means the engine needs to be removed...
How much would a garage do it for?

Why would the keyway break??? is it the mechanics fault for not tightening the flywheel bolt enough? Maybe i could take it back to him... on the other hand, he might of been the cause? - can't trust him anymore!

Also, the black spots on the crank suggests that the heating method might have been done before on this engine??? no??


Thanks for the fast responses by the way...

[cooperrodeo]

Hang on. He has not said he has a problem getting the flywheel off.

But crank and flywheel do look horribly damaged. The slot in the crank and flywheel is offset slightly so when you take the flywheel off you cannot put it back 180 degrees different. Are you sure you haven't got the flywheel 180 degrees out? With so much wear you would expect the washer to go back very easily - perhaps too easily.

[Paul Wiginton]

Id say your mechanic has caused you to need a new crank and flywheel - theyre knackeredd

[erbil_69]

What my best bet?

getting the crank replaced would cost and arm and a leg...

[mini13]

try pulling the flywheel, you may as well have a look and see how bad it is.

[Dan]

I would say the two heat spots on the crank are where it's welded itself on. Nothing definite until you try to pull it but as said above, it all looks like scrap to me. The slot is just too worn even if the parts are still separate.

[MRA]

Id say your mechanic has caused you to need a new crank and flywheel - theyre knackeredd

I would agree with the above, mainly due to the discoloration (blueing) this is caused by excessive heat, and some pick up will have occurred on both parts. This means that you will not get the flywheel to fit perpendicular to the crank centreline, and like a gyroscope it will always try to force itself straight.... I say always that is until the crank fails due to fatigue.

Still it is best to strip it off and take a look first though, there is a very very very slim chance that luck has given you a break

As above you can't use that again, could be fixed. But it'd cost you more than another crank and flywheel unless you work in a machine shop......

Maybe possible, however as above cost would prohibit such a choice, and then what happens in future if you need a new flywheel..... the centre would have to be a bespoke item or the tail plasma metal sprayed, £££££

Gold seal cranks used to be metal sprayed, which then rendered them bin fodder at the next regrind.

Edited by mra-minis.co.uk, 09 January 2011 - 09:46 PM.

[bmcecosse]

Looks to me like the flywheel has been loose on the crank tail. I agree that it's sadly likely both are ruined - although you may be able to get a new hub for the flywheel you will need a new crankshaft. And yes - I would say it's all down to poor assembly when the clutch was worked on... so I would be asking the 'mechanic' what he is going to do to put matters right......

[MRA]

Yep poor fitting

[samsfern]

everyones saying its scrap, i agree it COULD be, but itll still be worth taking it off and looking, never know may be ok.

[MRA]

It's true it's always worth a look, it's just that from unfortunately from years of experiennce I will say both parts are scrap

PS I like the quote that you have Sam made me smile for a change .....

[Shifty]

10 years ago I'd have stuck a new washer in, nailed it back together and booked an Autotrader ad!!