15 replies to this topic

[hron13]

Hey there everyone, have a bit of a problem, clutch won't disengage even with the pedal to the floor. With that said I have checked what I can and the clutch linkage is working, it goes all the way in to the stop nut and stays in. The hydraulics seem to be holding pressure just fine since it will keep the clutch compressed indefinitely and I'm not losing fluid. But despite all that if you try to roll the car back and forth with it in gear it makes this clicking gear drive noise, and won't roll more than about 3 feet without catching, and it's Danny near impossible to get it into gear when the engine is on.

I'm honestly guessing I have a dead primary gear bushing, or pressure plate. What's the communities thoughts on it.

[Gadgets]

It might be the flexible hose that goes into clutch slave is ballooning rather than pushing the arm out fully?  I would also lubricate the pivot point on the end of the arm by the big nut, it could be a little stiff ceased up? also then bleed the slave get any air out the system. if not buy another Mini LOL.

[hron13]

It might be the flexible hose that goes into clutch slave is ballooning rather than pushing the arm out fully?  I would also lubricate the pivot point on the end of the arm by the big nut, it could be a little stiff ceased up? also then bleed the slave get any air out the system. if not buy another Mini LOL.

It has a braided steel hose, and from what I can tell the mechanical bits are getting full range of motion, considering the release hub is bottoming out on the stop but, unless the stop nut isn't adjusted enough.

Edited by hron13, 20 June 2014 - 07:45 AM.

[hron13]

Any ideas? I just measured the distance from the back of the flywheel housing to the throw out stop on the piston thing that holds the throw out bearing and its at about 6mm, which from what I understand is a bit too tight. Could that be enough to keep the clutch from disengaging, or am I going to have to yank the motor and do some surgery?

[The Matt]

Quick question, is this a new build of the clutch/engine etc. or is it a problem that's only recently started?

[The Matt]

Right, the things I'd check if it's an old assembly:

 

• Clutch arm is straight (they do bend quite often)
• Ball on end of clutch arm isn't worn out
• Pedal pivot pin on mine caught me out, really couldn't believe how much wear was in it and when everything else was new, this was the last thing I checked
• The clevis pins are all good (the master cylinder one and both ones in the clutch arm)
• Hydraulics (we're saying they're OK in this instance)

 

IF it's a new assembly and it just needs setting up/adjusting correctly:

Start off by undoing the plunger stops. Hold the inner nut with spanner to prevent potential damage to the ball on the clutch arm, undo the locknut and wind the nuts well clear of the casing.

Set the return stop for the clutch arm next.  Do this by taking the spring off the top of the arm, pull the arm away from the slave until you feel it stop, then set the gap with feeler gauges to 20 thou.

Now get an assistant to press the clutch pedal and hold it in, wind the inner overthrow nut until it's against the casing, now get your assistant to lift off the pedal.

With the pedal released, you then turn the inner nut a smidge tighter (I go for about a tenth of a turn from memory, so half a flat on the nut, or to be more precise, 30 degrees of rotation).

Hold that inner nut in place and then wind the outer locknut up to it.

Test the clutch now and see what happens.
 

The overthrow nut (and locknut) are on the plunger to stop you throwing the clutch in too hard and damaging the crank/bearings by putting too much pressure on the clutch/flywheel.  If they're overtightened, though, they'll prevent the clutch from disengaging.

[hron13]

Right, the things I'd check if it's an old assembly:

 

• Clutch arm is straight (they do bend quite often)
• Ball on end of clutch arm isn't worn out
• Pedal pivot pin on mine caught me out, really couldn't believe how much wear was in it and when everything else was new, this was the last thing I checked
• The clevis pins are all good (the master cylinder one and both ones in the clutch arm)
• Hydraulics (we're saying they're OK in this instance)

 

IF it's a new assembly and it just needs setting up/adjusting correctly:

Start off by undoing the plunger stops. Hold the inner nut with spanner to prevent potential damage to the ball on the clutch arm, undo the locknut and wind the nuts well clear of the casing.

Set the return stop for the clutch arm next.  Do this by taking the spring off the top of the arm, pull the arm away from the slave until you feel it stop, then set the gap with feeler gauges to 20 thou.

Now get an assistant to press the clutch pedal and hold it in, wind the inner overthrow nut until it's against the casing, now get your assistant to lift off the pedal.

With the pedal released, you then turn the inner nut a smidge tighter (I go for about a tenth of a turn from memory, so half a flat on the nut, or to be more precise, 30 degrees of rotation).

Hold that inner nut in place and then wind the outer locknut up to it.

Test the clutch now and see what happens.
 

The overthrow nut (and locknut) are on the plunger to stop you throwing the clutch in too hard and damaging the crank/bearings by putting too much pressure on the clutch/flywheel.  If they're overtightened, though, they'll prevent the clutch from disengaging.

I'll have to check my clevis pins, but as I've said the clutch plunger has full travel, it goes in all the way to the stop. since its verto I don't have a return spring or a return stop. the pedal also feels really even, very consistent not too hard or too soft with good feel, so I still don't believe I have an issue with the hydraulics, plus since it's bottoming out the plunger and still dragging I have to believe that its something wrong with either the clutch pressure plate or the primary gear. But I'll take a look at what I can before I yank the engine.

[The Matt]

Sorry...I thought I'd read it was a diaphragm setup.

[The Matt]

And yes, I've had similar issues with a primary gear. The rear bush had picked up slightly on the crank tail.

[hron13]

And yes, I've had similar issues with a primary gear. The rear bush had picked up slightly on the crank tail.

cool I just wanted to hear that my idea was at least in the ballpark. luckily I have a set of straight cut drops to fit so I will look at this as an opportunity 

[Austin mini 30]

 

And yes, I've had similar issues with a primary gear. The rear bush had picked up slightly on the crank tail.

cool I just wanted to hear that my idea was at least in the ballpark. luckily I have a set of straight cut drops to fit so I will look at this as an opportunity 

Im having exactly the same problem as you!! could you post when youve fixed it and tell us what the problem is? I would really appreciate this. cheers

[Austin mini 30]

Im having exactly the same problem as you!! could you post when youve fixed it and tell us what the problem is? I would really appreciate that because i really dont know whats going on. Ive replaced the thrust release bearing and plunger and going to test it today see if it has made any difference. Could it be a worn clutch plate?

[hron13]

Im having exactly the same problem as you!! could you post when youve fixed it and tell us what the problem is? I would really appreciate that because i really dont know whats going on. Ive replaced the thrust release bearing and plunger and going to test it today see if it has made any difference. Could it be a worn clutch plate?

I'll make sure I post up when I get the issue solved so anyone with a similar issue at least can have an idea of what it is

[Austin mini 30]

 

Im having exactly the same problem as you!! could you post when youve fixed it and tell us what the problem is? I would really appreciate that because i really dont know whats going on. Ive replaced the thrust release bearing and plunger and going to test it today see if it has made any difference. Could it be a worn clutch plate?

I'll make sure I post up when I get the issue solved so anyone with a similar issue at least can have an idea of what it is

 

awesome, if i get my one working ill put a post up to let you know what i did

[Austin mini 30]

 

Im having exactly the same problem as you!! could you post when youve fixed it and tell us what the problem is? I would really appreciate that because i really dont know whats going on. Ive replaced the thrust release bearing and plunger and going to test it today see if it has made any difference. Could it be a worn clutch plate?

I'll make sure I post up when I get the issue solved so anyone with a similar issue at least can have an idea of what it is

 

Any luck with the clutch? not really got round to doing mine as i have been doing a lot of welding in the boot