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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - squealing clutch

Hi. This is my first post and I have been unable to find a similar one so hope you can all help.
I have a 1978 mg midget.
Recently ive noticed I get a clutch squeel when pulling of viggorously in first gear. The revs are meerly affected.
The clutch works fine under normal acceleration. Mainly in 1st. Happened once or twice in 2nd
There is no loss of power in high gears mainly just 1st gear affected.

Cheers
Chris
C Glear

Hi and welcome Chris,

as your post seems to have been missed I'll post as the mere mention of my usual two words will bring others here :)

it could just be noise or wear, if it does it in 2nd but your not hammering the car then that would point me and the very little I know towards wear

to test for slipping - when the car is fully warmed up find a slope or hill drop your speed to mid to high in second gear then change to 4th with your foot right down, you should feel the slipping and/or notice the revs climb fast until the slippage stops

you could also check your hydraulics, what's the fluid look like, how old is the fluid, check the slave cylinder is getting full movement

also check your gear oil, what's the level, what's it look like, how old is it

why are you pulling away vigorously in 1st anyway, it's not good for cars generally causing premature wear on a road car

plus you shouldn't be hammering a car unless you know the whole car is is good condition and is fully and properly serviced, maintained and repaired as is driven frequently

right, the bit to get the others here, if you not already got a copy you should get a copy of the Driver's Handbook and thoroughly read it and refer to it as it tells you what you need to know about operating and driving your car and gives the servicing schedule and how to do the work - Ref: 0058 - http://www.mgocshop.co.uk/catalog/Online_Catalogue_Handbooks_5.html

along with above driving your car frequently will help to get and keep the car running well and reliably and increase your enjoyment of your car and teach you what it's capable of and how to drive it to best effect
Nigel Atkins

Without making excuses. I live on a dual carriageway so sometimes have to pull off fast.
I have recently changed clutch fluid and slave cylinder
I have also changed the gearbox oil but I aint sure how to check the level. I also changed diff oil while it was up.

I am part of an mgoc but none of them have a midget and was also unsure of the problem

The car is used on a daily basis with great enjoyment. Even through winter months. Have recently fitted peco 421 system if that makes a difference?
C Glear

Hi Chris, Welcome.
Sorry to bring possible bad news but it sounds to me like the release bearing. They are carbon and can wear quite quickly. Once the carbon has worn away the metal cage that holds the carbon can come into contact with the clutch cover and squeal.
It is an engine out job to replace. The part itself is quite cheap but you would normally replace the clutch plate and cover too whilst the engine is out. You may also think about upgrading to a proper bearing from someone like Peter May but they add about £100 to the cost.
Good luck
Dave
Dave Brown

Dave,

Is it not just the 1275 that have the carbon clutch bearing and consequent problems? Chris said his car was a 78. Or am I just being thick?

Cheers,
Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

>>I have also changed the gearbox oil but I aint sure how to check the level<<
Chris get that book and read it, put the Haynes under a wonky table leg :)

the fill plug is also known as the level plug so that's where you look

great news that you done some maintenance (and daily use), no chance of clutch needing further bleeding? (straw clutching, pardon the pun)

btw, what oil did you use in the g/box and diff?

if it is just squeal under very hard use it might just be protest or start of wear it depends on what you mean by >>The revs are meerly affected<< if the clutch is slipping whatever part then it's the engine out

if it's just started slipping and only when under hammering use then it wont fall apart straight away but can't be ignored as it will get worse

the local MGOC clubs are entirely separate to your membership of the international club, there also the Midget & Sprite Owners Club and the MGCC or multi-marque clubs, all BMC/BL of the 60s/70s have many similarities
Nigel Atkins

sorry Midget & Sprite Club (Owners isn't part of the name)
Nigel Atkins

Malcolm's right... Chris's '78 will have a ball-type release bearing, not carbon.

-:G:-
Gryf Ketcherside

sure it's not tyre squeal? ;-)
David Smith

I only thought it, would never put it :D

doh!
Nigel Atkins

So its not the carbon bearing? Could it be anything to do with flywheel or gearbox?

Seems a strange one. Might leave it till something goes wrong then :) as its a daily driver It will be sooner than most


Also while I get engine out is there any cheap replacements I can do. I am planning on doing timming gear.


If anyones interested I will be at the weston park classic car show the 1st of april. Ive got a bright yellow midget with ashley gt front. Pop and say hi. Will be on the black country mg owners stand
C Glear

do the hill test and see my previous post
Nigel Atkins

The ball type clutch release bearings can also make a squeal if they have dried out, or ironically if they have got wet, maybe from going through a flood at some stage?
.
Try very light foot pressure on the clutch pedal. Does this initiate the squealing, before the clutch itself begins to compress? If so, this confirms it is the release bearing and not the clutch itself.

Now, this will sound quite the wrong thing to do with a clutch. Get a can of WD40 (not an oil based lubricant)and fit it with one of those straw nozzle extensions. Then directing the straw at the release bearing itself as best you can, give it a good old squirt or two. This isn't easy on the 1500 as you don't have the various holes in the bellhousing, but it is possible to get the straw in beside the release bearing carrier.

Try not to soak the clutch plate itself, although WD40 will burn/ evaporate off quite well so don't worry too much.

If you are lucky this will solve the problem entirely. If not, nothing lost, you are then going to have to remove the engine and gearbox to replace the clutch components anyway. But is is worth a try!
Guy Weller

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2013 and 19/03/2013

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