[Mgs] clutch question

[Mike Duvall]

As I push the pedal in and out there is no resistance and the slave moves in and out freely.  (I thought at first I lost hydraulics) 

It grinds in every gear like the clutch hasn’t been pushed in. 

 


On Aug 24, 2015, at 3:25 AM, PaulHunt73 <paulhunt73 at virginmedia.com> wrote:

> When it 'freezes' the pressure plate inside the cover plate (not the cover plate itself which is bolted to the flywheel) still moves, but the friction plate remains stuck to either the flywheel or the pressure plate.
>  
> You said it was getting harder and harder to change, if it were frozen you wouldn't be able to select any gear at a standstill, and it would grind horribly in any unsynchronised gear.  I've never heard of a clutch gradually freezing while still be able to use it.
>  
> How much slave piston travel are you getting?  The MGB for example needs about 1/2".  That reduces as you get wear in the pedal to master linkage, and causes the biting point to move towards the floor.  As you say air in the hydraulics causes the same thing.  But if the pedal pushes the slave push-rod out a reasonable amount, and it goes back in when you release the pedal, that shows there is still pressure from the clutch springs acting through the release bearing and release arm as normal, which implies the clutch itself may be OK.
>  
> Does it grind when trying to select an unsynchronised gear?  If so then it is a clutch problem, but if not then it is a gear selection problem.
>  
> PaulH.
>  
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mike Duvall via Mgs
> To: Jack Wheeler
> Cc: mgs at autox.team.net
> Sent: Monday, August 24, 2015 3:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [Mgs] clutch question
> 
> I last drove it 4 weeks ago,  could it freeze up that fast?   If it were frozen, would that account for the not being able to move the clutch cover?   I would think so.  
> 
> I was thinking the shaft bushings might be so worn, I’m not getting the right leverage. 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Aug 23, 2015, at 7:05 PM, Jack Wheeler <jwheeler1947 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
>> If you are sure the release bearing is being pushed into the clutch pressure plate the normal distance (i.e. 1/2" or so), your clutch disc could be stuck to the flywheel?  This sometimes happens when a car sits for a long time.  If this is the problem, you can usually break it loose by putting the car on a flat paved surface, and put it in gear.  While holding the clutch pedal all the way down to the floor, and your other foot on the brake pedal, start the car.  A variation on this is to start the car in gear, then while cruising along, push the clutch pedal and break pedal both at once, as hard as you can push (for the brake pedal).
>> 
>> Another technique is to hook a strong chain to a strong point on the frame of the MG, and get a big car (i.e. SUV) to tow it with.  Again on a flat paved surface, put the car in gear and hold the clutch pedal all the way down, then start pulling.  This will usually break it loose.  Good luck.
>> 
>> Jack Wheeler
>> 
>> From: Mike Duvall via Mgs <mgs at autox.team.net>
>> To: mgs at autox.team.net 
>> Sent: Sunday, August 23, 2015 5:45 PM
>> Subject: [Mgs] clutch question
>> 
>> My MGA keeps getting harder and harder to shift.  I was wondering if the synchronizers are going bad.  Lately it seems like the clutch isn’t disengaging like their was air in the lines but the hydraulics were fine.  Then no clutch at all (sitting at home instead of the road thankfully)  The slave appeared to be moving adequately so I pulled it off and I have all sorts of play in the arm.  I put a wrench on the arm and it won’t release the clutch.  I can use a flashlight and see the throw out bearing move back and forth.
>> 
>> I’m assuming I have a bad bearing on the arm.  Any other ideas or suggestions for me before I pull the engine? 
> 
> 
> 
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