mk1-forum.net

evening all!

I have just picked up a 61 mini, and I am having some clutch judder issues - worse in 1st but you can certainly feel (and hear) it in higher gears.

I spent a few hours in the Woodward Dream Cruise in Detroit this weekend and after a lot of start-stop traffic, it seems worse (warmed up that clutch methinks)

I have never done any clutch work, so would appreciate the "dummies guide" on where to start. I have checked the fluid level, any leaks (the cotter pin under the slave cylinder area is a little damp) and wear - all the moving parts are worn, but not excessively. The pedal feels fine and the engine doesn't seem to rock more than it should.

thanks

Paul

you will need a flywheel puller to do this
it can be done in the frame but a Little tight on space
Jack car up on clutch side
undo stabiliser bar
undo engine mount 2 bolts
Jack up engine a Little take care fan doesnt hit radiator
you may have to take off thermostat housing bracket and exhaust clamp
undo all bell housing bolts
remove thrust bearing pad
knock back lock tab on flywheel bolt
remove starter motor this so you can lock flywheel
undo bolt very tight
now you need the puller
screw in retaining studs then fit puller
make sure flywheel is a t d c or you risk the c washer dropping and jamming the flywheel
REAL TROUBLE
WHEN FLYWHELL IS RELEASED WILL COME WITH A BANG
Once off you can dismantle clutch from flywheel
if coils spring type take care that the springs dont fly
new clutch plate make sure it is centered then refit flywheel
its then a reversal of removal
make sure the flywheel bolt is really tight
hope this helps
andy

Andy - thanks for the details - will try get a puller today.

So, I assume this means the clutch plate is toast?


regards

Paul

Before you go all out try replacing this..

http://www.minisport.com/22a2204-clutch ... 59-82.html

They have a habit of wearing on the ball at the end..

Also have you checked the clearance with a feeler gauge?

Quick thing to add. Once you undo and removed the bolt also removed the washer which slots into the tail of the crank.

It's so easy missed and the flywheel won't get pulled off without it being removed.

I have done it.

Sorry, your initial post is a little cryptic.

Is it shaking badly as you release the clutch pedal or is the clutch slipping (ie motor revs but the car moves slow)?

If it is shuudering / juddering, then some causes can be;-

Worn Primary Gear Bushes (this will also cause oil dripping from the split pin breather at the bottom of the housing),
Stretched Flywheel Drive Straps,
Loose Flywheel ,
Worn Clutch Plate - although usually you'd be noticing it slipping first,
broken clutch plate centre (usually caused by worn primary gear bushes)
Flywheel in need of machining

or a combination of the above.

It does take a keen eye and some skill / experience to check all these if you are not all that familiar with the Mini set up. Also, your car, being a 61 model would have originally had an oil pressure fed primary gear and coil spring clutch set up. There is every chance by now that could have been changed out for a later set up, but you won't know until you pull the clutch cover off.

If it's still fitted with the coil spring clutch set up, then a broken spring or some that have lost tension (usually from heat) will also cause shudder / judder.

If it's slipping, then a replacement as the other guys have suggested is in order, however assemble it all on the bench first and check that the assembly has enough clamping force as the backing plate posts may need machining to correct this.

But, again, if you've still got the early set up, I don't thing you can get full replacement kits. To swap over to the later set up, you will also need a later flywheel and likely you'll need to swap over the flywheel hub as the early 850's also had a thinner crank tail than the later cars. I think it was around 62 or 63 that they changed this, I'm sure someone else here will know off the top of their head, I'd have to look that up to be sure.

as an Addition as your car is a 61 same as mine you may find that you still have the oil feed Primary gear
i modified mine with a new self lubricating primary gear
you block off the oil feed on the crank with a brass pin tapered
file off carefully any of this thats proud
unfortunately this will Need removal of the engine to get the Transmission case off
the gear can be obtained from mini Dealers
i got mine from rutland minis
andy

one more tip if you are dismantling the clutch
you will see the letter A on
pressure plate
thrust pad
secondary plate behind flywheel
these must all line up
flywheel puller could look on e bay mini flywheel puller or any mini parts supplier
if you need any more help just ask
andy

just seen a mini flywheel puller on e bay uk for 25 .00 pounds bid
no bids at present
but you will have to be quick it only has 7 hours to run
ítem no 200 9516934 under classic mini parts
andy