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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Clutch drags, won't engage hot

Gents,

Having rebuilt my engine and used a good, 2nd hand, but usable clutch plate, it now drags. With pedal fully to the floor the clutch drags and the situation get worse when hot, then recovers when it cools.

There's no leak such that the clutch slowly re-engages itself, if the pedal is held down. There just doesn't appear to be sufficient travel in the system.

there was a small ammount of fluid under the slave rubber cover when I rebuilt the engine, so it's possible that it may not be in 100% good condition.

I'm on a 1098 style combined brake/clutch master cyclinder. I have not changed the slave cylinder, just the clutch plate. Where should I start the investigation?

Thanks!
J E G Eastwood 1

If fluid has leaked out past the slave piston seal, then it is likely that air has leaked in, causing you to loose travel in the clutch fork.
Try bleeding the system. Better still, repair the slave with new piston seal and hone any rough spots off the bore. Or replace with a new slave. Then re-bleed.

Guy
Guy Weller

And... on those, isn't there adjustment at the actuating rod at the master cylinder. Maybe it needs attention there to compensate for the different clutch plate?
Guy Weller

...and check for wear and therefore lost movement in the clevis pin linkages at both ends of the hydraulic circuit...
David Smith

Is this mesaage board amazing? 9 hours later and I have 3 replies. Classic car ownership has never been better. Plus eBay for the parts..

Will hone, and change seal. Many thanks.
J E G Eastwood 1

Actually, although I said to hone the slave cylinder, replacement ones are so cheap at around £13 it is probably better to just buy a replacement one.

e.g. http://tinyurl.com/5qbxw6

Guy
If that link works!
Guy Weller

it worked Guy

JEG

Guy's advice is good (as always)

If you narrow the trouble down to the slave cylinder I would change for a new one

And make sure there is a bit of fee play at the pedal push rod so the system can bleed back when it ought to
Bill

This thread was discussed between 27/11/2008 and 28/11/2008

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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