Frank,
Maybe this will help, but it aint wisdom. The wire you refer to acts as
the fulcrum point for the diaphragm. As you depress the center of the
pressure plate bearing surface the diaphragm levers the plate surface away
from the flywheel allowing the disc to spin freely. (sorry if that's old
news). The wire is the fulcrum point and is trapped beneath the 6 rivets on
the outer edge of them. You'll notice there is another similar (identical?)
wire on the other side of the diaphragm that is the rest of the pivot point
for the fulcrum. (obviously I'm no engineer, I apologise for the
terminology) Naturally if the pivot point is lost you will not get
complete disengagement. You'd probably get some just from the rivet heads,
but not enough.
But why the failure? Perhaps a PO install problem? Disc in backwards so
the diaphragm hits the hub when depressed putting a backwards stress on the
diaphragm and the wire? Bearing going over center? Factory defect? You
should be OK if you can get the wire back in, not sure how to do it except
for great amounts of prying.
Another long winded response, but i hope it helps.
Peter C.
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At 11:05 PM 3/22/99 , Frank Clarici wrote:
>I need a bit of wisdom here.
>1st, the senerio...
>74 Midget, 1275, dead stock. The PO installed a brand new 3 piece clutch
>but never started or drove the car. I got it running and drove it around
>the block a few times, the clutch was perfect. I did a complete
>hydraulic rebuild before driving it.
>A potential buyer wants to drive the Midget, the clutch does not fully
>engage and the car creeps with the pedal fully depressed.
>I figure it needs a rebled but the pedal feels firm.
>Rebleed, no change, install longer pin, no change! Now I am confused.
>Yank the engine, replace the clutch disc and p/plate, all is perfect
>again.
>Tonight I examined the disc, it is brand new and shiny as is the p/plate
>but there is a rattle in the plate. Upon futher inspection I see a wire
>circle flapping around on the inside of the pressure plate. I take a
>look at a few other p/plates and they all have this wire but it is
>inserted around the rivets of the plate. This one just does not go back
>where it is supposed to be.
>I assume this is what gave out on the clutch.
>
>The questions. What is this wire? What does it do? Can it be put back
>where it belongs? Factory defect? Or should I just chalk it up to
>another "file to fit" part by that 4 letter word and throw it out?
>(remember I did not buy it but I know where it came from)
>
>It is a Borg & Beck made in England.
>Thanks
>--
>Frank Clarici
>Toms River, NJ
>Bugeye Sprite
>67 Sprite
>59 A40
>http://www.exit109.com/~spritenut/
Peter Caldwell
1 very rough Innocenti
(the Sprite with an accent)
among other LBCs and 4WDBCs
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