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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Midget Clutch Problem

Hi All,

I've just joined this site, looking for a little help!

I bought a midget 1500 a few weeks ago, and have just got it ready for the MOT. When I drove it home initially the clutch was biting very near to the floor.

I've bled the system through, but it's made no difference.

There is a fair bit of movement in the pedal before the master cylinder starts to 'push'.

I'm wondering if maybe it's the piston sticking in the cylinder and not returning fully.

I've tried to remove the master cylinder, but I can only just get a spanner on the bottom nut, and then only for a bit bit of motion, then I can't get the spanner on it again (if you see what I mean)!! I thought that I could remove the plate that it attaches to (along with the brake cylinder) but I can't undo the screws that are obscured by the wing.

Has anyone any ideas how I can either fix this or remove the master cylinder? Should there be free movement in the pedal?

Thanks in advance,

Bern.
SW Parfitt

Welcome to the site...it can be very usefull...loads of experience from the regular posters.

I, like you, just recently purchased a 1500 (June)...been using this site ever since...don't overlook the archives...lots of good information.

Now back to your clutch problem...my 1500 was doing a similar thing when I brought it home... and also hard sometimes to engage 1st & reverse...pumping pedal helped...sometimes pedal would hang up & I would pull it back up with a toe.

How did you bleed the system? These systems are very difficult to bleed correctly. Did you see any outward leaks? If not, I wouldn't start removing parts.

I bled mine using an Easy Bleeder purchased from Moss Motors...very easy to use ( it's a pressure bleeder using the air in a tire for the pressure )...lots of black fluid and crud came out of the bleeder screw...bled until clean clear fuid came through...have had no problems since. The pedal returns normally and the release moved from close to the floor to midway of pedal travel...no problem engaging gears.

I would try proper, thorough bleeding before I started dissasembly & replacing parts...check the archives...many posts on clutch bleeding, etc.

Hope this helps.

Dave
DL Rhine

I had the exact same problem with mine also. Ckeck for free play in the pedal to master cylinder joint. The MC rod had very elongated holes allowing the pedal to travel quite a bit before actually doing anything. To check, remove the plate on top of the pedal box and check for the free play.

HTH
Tim Michnay

Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies.

I know it can be difficult to bleed the clutch on these cars, I've previously owned a spitfire and a dolomite 1500 - both have the same engine and gearbox and both needed the clutch bleeding!

I removed the slave cylinder this evening, and that is leaking so I've ordered a new one. I was able to get the master cylinder off as well, using a 1/2" ring spanner that I could just about do one 'spanner notch' (for want of a better word) at a time. It took a very long time, and I may now have RSI! I've ordered a MC repair kit too, I thought it best to do it all while I was at it!

Thanks again,

Bern.
SW Parfitt

My 1500 had the exact same problem which caused a bit of a problem on the way to the MOT station. The problem with mine was a leaking slace cylinder. The odd bite position was being caused by the pedal/MC pin as Tim mentioned - Sorted that by welding up the hole then re-drilling,

There was a spait of these problems around may/june, at least 3-4 if I recall correctly, have a look in the archive!

Good luck, and enjoy the midget (Really miss mine now she is gone!!))

Ben
B Cavagan

Thanks Ben,

I replaced the slave cylinder, and the seals in the master cylinder. Then I had no clutch at all, the clutch pedal was completely soft!

I think I must have ordered the wrong parts for the master cylinder (although the seals looked the same), so I bought a complete new MC from Moss and now it works perfectly! The MC I bought was quite different from the one fitted, I think maybe an older one had been fitted at some point in the past.

I've just dropped it off at the MOT station. Fingers crossed etc. That was my first proper drive of a Midget, it's a bit like sitting on a skate board - and that's not a bad thing!

Cheers,

Bern.
SW Parfitt

Smashing, the clutch n mine had a few people puzzled, as the car has a 5 speed box, the shot slave cylinder wasn't a direct replacement - Que customising parts!!

Enjoy the Midge!!

Ben
B Cavagan

This thread was discussed between 28/09/2009 and 06/10/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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