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Re: [Mgs] [Spridgets] The tale of the crunchy clutch

To: <tequila.brad@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Mgs] [Spridgets] The tale of the crunchy clutch
From: Mike Eldred <redscirocco@hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:28:46 -0400
I'll take a closer look, but from my first inspection, there was no sign of
the bearing - no pieces, no dust... I would consider the possibility that the
ding-dong DPO never even put it in, except that the metal part of it was in
the clutch fork.



-Mike Eldred





Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:24:02 -0500
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] The tale of the crunchy clutch
From: tequila.brad@gmail.com
To: redscirocco@hotmail.com
CC: mgs@autox.team.net; spridgets@autox.team.net

DO NOT hold the clutch pedal down at stop signs/lights. If you found black
hair like fibers inside the bell housing, that would explain the early failing
of your carbon clutch bushing.


On Mon, Jun 14, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Mike Eldred <redscirocco@hotmail.com> wrote:

Thanks to all who weighed in on my question regarding whether to pull the
engine & gearbox or engine only for the clutch replacement in my '73 Midget.
With your advice, I decided to pull the engine and gearbox together.  It went
very well, with no major hiccups.



When I pulled the engine and transmission apart, the reason for all the
squealing and barking coming from the the clutch was immediately apparent.
The bearing itself was nowhere to be seen - the metal bearing holder that
sits
in the clutch fork was present, although it was in two pieces and had been
ground almost flat.  The metal bearing surface in the center of the pressure
plate had broken and was serving as the bearing.  Amazingly, it was like that
when I drove it into the garage last fall, shortly after buying it.



Given the DPO's penchant for cobbling his repairs together with carpentry
fasteners, sledgehammers, and duct tape, the state of the clutch does not
surprise me.  And I knew it had to be replaced, along with the interior, when
I bought the car as a project.  Sadly, it appears the clutch is practically
new - there is little, if any, wear on the clutch disc.  Besides the DPO's
unconventional repair strategy, is there any other known cause for that kind
of clutch destruction?  I remember someone saying something about slave
cylinder pushrods that are too long - could that be responsible?  And since I
will be replacing the slave cylinder, what IS the correct length for the
pushrod?



Aside from using actual car parts and following recommended practices and
procedures, is there anything in particular that I might do to prevent the
destruction of the new bearing and pressure plate?  (Of course, I will also
be
using a new clutch disc, too.)



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