At 6:31 PM -0000 28/12/98, Don Guthrie wrote:
>After 6 months of winter storage (it's summertime in the antipodes) I've
>now got a clutch problem on my TR6 - the problem is the clutch doesn't
>disengage when depressed. The clutch was 100% OK when it went into storage.
>
>What I've done so far to try to fix it:
>- resleeved slave cylinder and fitted new seals (bore was pitted and it was
>leaking)
>- removed, checked the bore and fitted new seals to the master cylinder
>- Bled the system (several times - 5 bottles of fluid!)
>- checked the flexible pressure hose while clutch is being depressed - no
>sign of expansion in it and if this was the problem wouldn't it come on
>gradually?
>
>The pushrod off the slave cylinder moves the lever arm 3/8". I read
>somewhere it's supposed to be 5/8" - can anyone confirm that? I'm fairly
>sure now that the hydraulics are OK, and I'm starting to suspect a
>mechanical problem inside the clutch. One thing which doesn't look right to
>me is that if I detach the slave cylinder pushrod then move the lever arm
>by hand it's got about an inch of free play, so by the time the pushrod has
>taken up this 1" of slack and then moved it's 3/8" with the clutch
>depressed the slave piston is close to the end of the bore. Perhaps the
>pushrod can only push it 3/8" because that's all the travel that's left in
>the lever. Is it possible the clutch plate is just stuck to the flywheel?
>
>I know a common problem is to mount the slave cylinder on the wrong side of
>the mounting plate - I have mounted it correctly. There is a small amount
>of slack in the linkages, but as this problem has come on suddenly I don't
>think gradual wear is the cause.
>
>If it is just a stuck plate, what's the best way to free it up?
>
>Don Guthrie
>'73 TR6PI
>don@soccer.net.nz
Don
I had a similar problem a few weeks ago after several months of storage.
In my case it was a stuck plate and it came free simply with the following
procedure (my driveway is steep and the roll start process was not
practical).
1. Warm engine
2. Jack one rear wheel and chock the front wheels.
3. Release handbrake and start engine in gear (first or reverse) with the
choke slightly out to increase revs.
4. Depress clutch and apply brakes.
This may not work for you, as I had 5/8 inch movement and no free play.
Your symptoms would suggest a problem with the clutch fork. However, the
technique above is sufficiently simple that it would be worth trying first
just in case it is simply a stuck plate.
Trevor Jordan
74 TR6 CF29281U
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