5 replies to this topic

[MBradbury73]

Help! New to the classic mini world.

 

Ive got a 1966 Mini Cooper S with a clutch issue. Ive adjusted it every way possible and it still grinds trying to put in 1st gear.

 

The clutch arm is all the way over to the left and all the pictures online show everyones clutch are leaning toward  the right.

 

I removed the arm and the bolt (clutch plunger) slides back and forth freely.

 

I hope i explained that well.

 

Any suggestions?

[croc7]

Help! New to the classic mini world.

 

Ive got a 1966 Mini Cooper S with a clutch issue. Ive adjusted it every way possible and it still grinds trying to put in 1st gear.

 

The clutch arm is all the way over to the left and all the pictures online show everyones clutch are leaning toward  the right.

 

I removed the arm and the bolt (clutch plunger) slides back and forth freely.

 

I hope i explained that well.

 

Any suggestions?

From your description of the clutch arm, something is way out of whack.  Without sounding like a smartass, the first thing that I would do is to buy a workshop manual and start from from square one for clutch adjustment.  If that doesn't solve the problem, then I'm afraid that you're looking at some disassembly work.  Again, this is where the manual would be handy.  Hope that helps.

Edited by croc7, 01 July 2025 - 07:57 PM.

[Spider]

Hi and welcome to the form.

 

Sounds like the arm and plunger are very worn and / or the ball on the end of the arm have broken off.

[imack]

Just to add to the above comment, if the car still has it's original type 3 syncro gearbox, there is no syncromesh on 1st gear. So there is some potential for grinding into 1st gear if the car isn't stationary or you try putting it into 1st gear too soon after depressing the clutch even when everything's OK.

[nicklouse]

Sorry stop looking at the internet. Get a workshop manual.

 

check your messages.

[Cooperman]

I did a clutch drag fault finder some years ago and I just found it. Here it it and I hope it helps.

 

CLUTCH DRAG

Clutch drag or failure to disengage is not an uncommon problem with the Mini.

There are several possible causes as follows:

1. HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

1. Wear in the pedal spindle or failure of the pedal to master cylinder clevis pin.
2. Failure of seals in the clutch master cylinder.
3. ‘Ballooning’ of flexible hose due to internal hose degradation or damage
4. Air in system due to inadequate bleeding
5. Failure of slave cylinder seals

 

1. MECHANICAL SYSTEM – WITHDRAWAL MECHANISM

1. Wear in top clevis pin
2. Wear in lower clevis pin
3. Bent arm
4. Worn or broken ball at lower end of arm where it engages into plunger.
5. Wear in plunger ball seat.
6. Incorrect setting of overthrow stop nuts
7. Incorrect setting of adjusting screw (pre-Verto)
8. Corrosion between plunger and clutch cover due to lack of lubrication.
9. Thrust bearing failure – accompanied by a lot of noise.

 

1. THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

1. Failure of clutch diaphragm spring due to fatigue or distortion
2. Centre plate hub not sliding on primary gear splines.
3. Clutch plate surface de-laminating or breaking up
4. Distorted clutch plate.
5. If fitted, clutch plate shock springs broken and causing a ‘jam’.
6. Primary gear not rotating freely on crankshaft due to either           i)   Insufficient primary gear end float,  ii)  Primary gear bushes seizing on crankshaft, or        iii) Primary gear bushes breaking up