4 replies to this topic

[orac69]

Hi, me again.

 

Sorry for all the questions, but I didnt take this engine apart so have little reference apart from Haynes, YT, and the excellent advice from you guys here...

 

Summary:  Ive got a "loose" fitting clutch release bearing on the plunger - pre-verto clutch, A+ engine.   

 

The actuating arm ball thingy bit  on the end was worn, so I ordered a new one of these, together with a new release bearing from Minispares just in case (the new bearing is identical to the one which has come off it).

 

I thought that the bearing was pressed on to the plunger - but not mine it seems.  Its really loose, 2mm or more play on it when its on the plunger, and it looks like its retained by a small star / toothed washer clip thing (which I do have by the way).

 

It just seems odd.

 

Watching all the videos I can, they ALL seem to suggest its press fitted on the plunger.  But a search here turned up a post from 2007 where Guessworks says "yes, its loose on the plunger".   Haynes too says the bearing may be loose.

https://www.theminif...-woes/?p=467887

 

...so I just wanted to double check this amount of play is normal / ok?    ..or should I (for any tech reason) change the plunger for a different type perhaps where the bearing is pressed on.  

 

thanks again.

Edited by orac69, 06 May 2025 - 04:38 PM.

[Lplus]

Hi, me again.

 

Sorry for all the questions, but I didnt take this engine apart so have little reference apart from Haynes, YT, and the excellent advice from you guys here...

 

Summary:  Ive got a "loose" fitting clutch release bearing on the plunger - pre-verto clutch, A+ engine.   

 

The actuating arm ball thingy bit  on the end was worn, so I ordered a new one of these, together with a new release bearing from Minispares just in case (the new bearing is identical to the one which has come off it).

 

I thought that the bearing was pressed on to the plunger - but not mine it seems.  Its really loose, 2mm or more play on it when its on the plunger, and it looks like its retained by a small star / toothed washer clip thing (which I do have by the way).

 

It just seems odd.

 

Watching all the videos I can, they ALL seem to suggest its press fitted on the plunger.  But a search here turned up a post from 2007 where Guessworks says "yes, its loose on the plunger".   Haynes too says the bearing may be loose.

https://www.theminif...-woes/?p=467887

 

...so I just wanted to double check this amount of play is normal / ok?    ..or should I (for any tech reason) change the plunger for a different type perhaps where the bearing is pressed on.  

 

thanks again.

Looking at the Somerford exploded view pages it seems there was an early plunger which had a smaller shaft and the release bearing was retained by a clip.  That plunger is no longer available.  I have to say that 2mm sounds quite a lot of play.  Since the release arm ball end was worn it is likely the inside of the plunger is also worn and it might be worth getting a new plunger which will require the bearing to be press fitted.

[nicklouse]

There is movement on the pre Verto set ups.

 

https://youtube.com/...?feature=shared

 

this is normal.

[Lplus]

There is movement on the pre Verto set ups.

 

https://youtube.com/...?feature=shared

 

this is normal.

Personally, I'd go for a new plunger anyway if I were replacing the release arm due to wear  but there you go.

[Spider]

The early clutch thrust bearings were of a flat face design, that had a lot of contact surface area on the thrust plate and so would slide fairly easy,, then by the early 70's in a cost saving move, they changed the design of the thrust bearing, which had a 'thin' contact face and these were much less able to slide, and would often grab in the thrust plate. As a 'cure', there was a period of a few years they fitted the thrust bearing up as a floater, it would self align itself. This was to stop (or reduce) clutch judder. that was caused by the alignment of clutch cover that had the spigot machined too small on them. They then came up with a tool and fitting procedure to align the cover and dowel it for location, later again, they just improved the fit of the cover to the flywheel housing.

So much for the history lesson.

Thing is if your cover has a floater now, then going to a fixed press fit bearing may result in clutch judder. As far as I am aware, the earlier 'floater' type plungers are not available. I usually fit them up as a fixed item and f it's OK, leave it (but I often use the flat faced bearing too), if it gives trouble, then I'll dowel the cover or machine the plunger to make the bearing a floater.