Chris Nicholls said:
>>Also, learn not to sit at trafficlights and stopsigns with the clutch
>>pedal to the floor. That's how the thrustwashers get worn out in the
>>first place. Put the gearbox in neutral and let the clutch out.
The following is not intended as a flame of any sort, just an editorial
comment:
Putting the car in neutral and letting out the clutch at stoplights will
trade wear of the thrustwashers (and throw-out bearing) for wear of the
hydraulic cylinders, pedal mechanism, shifter, and first gear synchro.
I won't even mention the wear on the fragile throw out bearing ford pin!
(oops, I just did) If we really want to reduce wear of the
thrustwashers maybe we should do clutchless shifting. When my slave
cylinder blew out while at Elkhart Lake for a weekend, I even found I
could start the car in first gear, so no clutch was needed to get
moving. The return trip was REALLY easy on the thrust washer!
I don't put the car in neutral at stoplights simply because I don't feel
it's the proper way to drive. There are many things I could do to
prevent wearing out parts, or all, of my car, including not driving it,
but I say, drive it and maintain it. Besides, any wear I put on the car
sitting at the traffic light is negligable compared to the wear the car
gets when the light turns green =:-o
I've said it before, our Triumphs are cars, and shouldn't be treated as
pampered museum pieces. When I feel I have to start worrying about
things like stoplight thrust washer wear my car will be for sale.
OK, I think it's time for my medication now...
Tom Gentry
Life is too short to drive boring cars (or worry about thrustwashers)!
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