21 replies to this topic

[Old Bob]

Had some tuning work done on the car (A+ 1250 with pre verto clutch).  Checking the engine bay today I saw that the clutch throw-out plunger nut and the locking nut were both missing........  The person who did the work, which probably didn't include the clutch, is now on holiday and unavailable so I can't ask if this was intentional or completely unrelated.

 

What are the consequences of running without the nuts - it won't have been for more than five or six miles so far, and is it just a case of screwing a new pair on?

 

Thanks all.

 

Bob

[adampat84]

I think the throw out nut just stops the clutch diaphram being compressed to the point that it turns it self inside out..

 

If this happens you will not be able to engage the clutch.. hence not be able to get the car moving..

 

Hopefully someone will back me up as conformation..

 

but this is how i understand it.

[KernowCooper]

Yes its to stop the daiphram over throwing and possibly turning its self inside out, and if there gone and you dont have any clutch issues then screw 2 more on and lock them up when set, on yours 25thou on the lever to adjusting bolt at the top fully depress the clutch and wind the inner nut in to touch the casing, release and then on 1 flat and lockup.

[Wise Old Elf]

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item19e19aad47

 

 

Not expensive

[Ivor Badger]

Yes its to stop the daiphram over throwing and possibly turning its self inside out, and if there gone and you dont have any clutch issues then screw 2 more on and lock them up when set, on yours 25thou on the lever to adjusting bolt at the top fully depress the clutch and wind the inner nut in to touch the casing, release and then on 1 flat and lockup.

 

 

No it's not, the limit nuts were fitted well prior to the diaphram clutch. the limit nuts stop the clutch backing plate being accidentaly being forced into the end cover. by the way, it's 15thou clearance for the clutch lever.

[tiger99]

The stop nuts prevent overload of the crankshaft thrust washers, as well as protecting the clutch mechanism itself. There is teh potential to damage the crankshaft and thrust washers if the throwout stop is not set correctly.

 

I would not be too worried after only a few miles. Many years ago, my locknut loosened due to vibration and fell off, the stop nut then vibrated up tight against the wok, and when I cane to a roundabout the pedal refused to move. The problem was very easily located, and I drove home, maybe 50 miles, without doing any damage. I was careful to not put the pedal all the way to the floor.

 

I would recommend just fitting new nuts and adjusting properly. There will most likely not be any damage in such a short mileage.

[Old Bob]

Thanks Gentlemen.  Fortunately I have a spare pair on an old engine which I can cannibalise .  What I don't have is a pair of slim (15/16th?) spanners and there is no room to get a socket on it.   Could be worse - jack up, wheel off, dismount starter solenoid from inner flitch for access  and then rip the skin off my knuckles!

 

Minis.  Don't you just love them?

 

Bob

[KernowCooper]

 

Yes its to stop the daiphram over throwing and possibly turning its self inside out, and if there gone and you dont have any clutch issues then screw 2 more on and lock them up when set, on yours 25thou on the lever to adjusting bolt at the top fully depress the clutch and wind the inner nut in to touch the casing, release and then on 1 flat and lockup.

 

 

No it's not, the limit nuts were fitted well prior to the diaphram clutch. the limit nuts stop the clutch backing plate being accidentaly being forced into the end cover. by the way, it's 15thou clearance for the clutch lever.

 

Oops forgot Bobs is a later engine in a early car which is 0.50mm (20thou)

 

from the original BMC Manual

Attached Files

•  Clutch adjustment Mini non verto.png   77.39K   21 downloads
•  Clutch 2.png   178.33K   23 downloads

Edited by KernowCooper, 13 September 2013 - 06:12 PM.

[Vipernoir]

I know of an engine building and parts supplying company that cuts the threaded end off the clutch plunger.

[Tahiti Joe]

Thanks Gentlemen.  Fortunately I have a spare pair on an old engine which I can cannibalise .  What I don't have is a pair of slim (15/16th?) spanners and there is no room to get a socket on it.   Could be worse - jack up, wheel off, dismount starter solenoid from inner flitch for access  and then rip the skin off my knuckles!

 

Minis.  Don't you just love them?

 

Bob

 

I use a pair of adjustable spanners on mine, allows me to (just) get enough purchase on it when the engines in situ. Might be worth a try if youve got some?

[Cooperman]

The original Minis didn't have those overthrow nuts. They were added by BMC after having to deal with the results of badly adjusted clutch arm stop bolts which allowed significant damage to the crank thrust bearings - all of which had to be rectified under warranty.

They are not needed so long as the clutch adjustment is correct.

[Old Bob]

Job done thanks.  A pair of open ended and a bit of a struggle........  And that's interesting Peter - they do seem overkill for that purpose.

 

Bob

[jt19]

Old post I know but am I right in thinking the throw out nuts are not needed in a verto set up?

[Dusky]

Old post I know but am I right in thinking the throw out nuts are not needed in a verto set up?

No.

[nicklouse]

Old post I know but am I right in thinking the throw out nuts are not needed in a verto set up?

they are still needed or you can overload the thrust bearings. which is why you don't start Minis with it in gear and your foot on the clutch.