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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Clutch is a mess

On the few occassions I've had the midget out this year I've noticed the clutch pedal feels "odd" sometimes. Nothing more concrete that a change in feel half way down the stroke.

Finally got it up some ramps today for a good luck underneath...

The slave cylinder has fluid leaking all over it.
The release fork has a quite a lot of play side to side (suggests the bushes are totally shot ?)
Looking through the inpsection hole in the bell housing when I was "wiggling" everything inlcuding bringing the release bearing all the way back - the release plate seemed to seperate from the diaphragm springs.

I dorve it off the ramps and it seemed to setll back into position after a few pumps of the pedal so its not terminal. (at least not quite yet)

I cant really tell what's cause and whats effect....but anyone disagree that its time to order clutch plate, clutch cover, release bearing, new release fork and slave cylinder rebuild kit ... and plan for a long weekend in the garage ?!
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

Don't forget the fork pivot bolt and slave push rod which wear also.

Steve
Steve Church

Just been through a similar situation with my slave. I had a rough spot on the bottom of the bore that seemed to come out with a little honing. Worked great for a couple of days. I just put on a new one. Mine was taking on air. Good luck. Bleeding is fun for the whole family!
C. J. Charvet

I suggest rebuilding/replacing the slave cylinder. Change the fork and pin while you at it. Also check master cylinder fork and pin. A little grease on these wear points extends life significantly. If you can find a release fork with less wear, you can have it bushed and will notice the difference the next time you change the clutch (all too often no matter what)
glenn

Well engine came out on Saturday. 1st time with a crane instead of a hoist - how much easier !.

The pressure plate (that the release bearing bears on) was indeed separated from the diaphragm spring. Amazing it worked at all really. Few job this week and hopefully back in next saturday.
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

A pic of said broken clutch.




Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

can we have one of the input shaft on the box too Dean

It would be interesting to see whether the loose bit inside has done much to the splines

How was the thrust bearing?

A fine example of "just about in time"

Bill

Splines and thrust bearibng were fine. Amazed really - seems it would all settle in place and the limted movement on the clutch kept the pressure plate in place. Only when I split the engine and box did it actually fall away.

Gratifying having got the engine out to see it wasn't wasted !. Scary when it looks like the clutch could have failed literally at any time.
Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

No, don't pull the engine! Your car will be off the road for ages because it leads to painting the engine and assorted bits, cleaning then needing to repaint the engine bay and eventually doing an exterior respray then renewing the interior!

Just kidding about all the other stuff but amazed it still sort of worked. Glad it wasn't anything extremely serious to repair.
Clive Reddin 76 Midget

Managed to restrict myself to brazing (well silver solder) in a boss for an oil temp guage into the sump - and then spraying the sump. Rebuild of the slave cylinder new clutch and pressed a fresh bush into the release fork...and engine went back in today.

Really cant beleive how much easier a proper crane makes it. A few ratchet straps to act as a load leveller (H&S look away now!) and it went straight in.






Dean Smith ('73 RWA)

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2008 and 05/05/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.