5 replies to this topic

[Cooperman]

Whilst doing the final preparation for my Cooper 'S' to compete in the East Anglian Classic Rally this coming weekend, I took it for a test drive and discovered a clutch issue. It felt odd and so I measured the arm movement at full depression. The top of the arm moved 0.40" and the minimum should be 0.55".

So I changed the clutch slave cylinder, with no improvement. Then I changed the clutch master cylinder, but still no improvement. If pushed down slowly it disengaged cleanly and re-engaged OK.  However, when pushed down quickly, as it will be on rally tests, the pedal was hard to depress and slow to re-engage causing a bit of clutch slip. 

My thoughts were that there was a hydraulic lock caused by the flexible hose. I didn't have a spare new clutch hose, but a front brake hose has the same threads and is just a bit longer. Fitting it cured the problem, so I deduce that the internal bore of the hoe was collapsing when pressure was applied quickly.

Now it is rally-ready and my son is driving is (I am too blooming old now!). 

[absx2]

I had exactly the same thing happen a few years back so I replaced it with a one piece braided hose which also makes for easy bleeding but I guess you would have to keep the rubber hose for regulations.

 

I had two rear flexi hoses do the same, at first I thought there was an issue with the regulator valve as I couldn`t bleed the rear brakes.

 

Good call with the front brake hose.

[Cooperman]

I have metal braided hoses on all the braking system and will probably change the clutch one in due course.
The regulations allow Aeroquip hoses.

[DeadSquare]

When you replace the clutch hose, remove the earth strap, drill out the connectors either end from 5/16" to 1/2" and fit it over each end of the new hose.

 

It makes an 'engine out' a little bit easier.

[Spider]

Good work !  I wish your son well in the Rally.

As part of our outback spares kit, we carry a front brake hose as it can be used as you've done, for the clutch too - or the brakes. We don't carry a rear hose, but have spare bleed nipples that while fitting the front brakes and clutch slave, can also be used to 'cap off' some of the brake lines, including the rear bakes.

[Cooperman]

Thanks Chris.
I won this event in this car in 2002 and although historics now include much newer cars, a 105 bhp Mini will be competitive on twisty tarmac and concrete surfaces, so he is hopeful for a good overall result. My son is very quick in his 1979 Escort RS2000, but we thought it would be nice to give the Mini an outing.

 

Edited to add that my son finished 4th out of 60 starters and first in class, so a great result.

Edited by Cooperman, 22 June 2026 - 03:17 PM.