Clutch release bearing rubbing

[comeinhandy]

I have noticed a minor scratching noise caused by the clutch release bearing just slightly touching the clutch spring surface. Pulling back slightly on the clutch lever stops the noise, and pushing the clutch in to engage the bearing also stops it. New bearing and clutch in there.
So the question is how should the clutch lever work - should it pull back slightly after use to fully disengage the bearing? If so how does it do this? I put on an external spring to try and do this, with limited success.
Or is what I describe just normal, in which case won't this cause wear on the clutch where the bearing presses? The scratching noise being the sound of metal on metal wear.
Jon

[GDPR]

It sounds like you have some slop in the release gear, commonly fork pins worn flat, carrier groove worn indented or knackered cross shaft bushes - the only way to detect this is to remove the gearbox.

You could try a lightweight spring to pull back the release lever until the noise just stops, but not too strong or it will push the slave piston back in and you will get issues with disengaging the clutch through too much free play.. it will only be a temporary solution, and you'll probably have to keep tweaking the spring...

Russ

[comeinhandy]

There shouldn't be much play as I went over and fixed or replaced worn fork/groove issues when I replaced the clutch and nose cone a few thousand miles ago, unless something has come back or worn in that time, but I'd be surprised.
The clutch generally works well, and as you suggest I've fitted a weak spring on the lever to give a slight pull back, but I wondered how the system was designed to avoid this issue, since there doesn't seem to be a mechanism for pulling the release lever back and hence pulling the clutch release bearing off the rotating clutch surface.
Is there one?

Regards Jon

[Andrew S]

I have the same as you but the spring I tried was too strong and as Russ has indicated, it was pushing the slave cyclinder back. Would love to cure it without the box coming out as it would make the car quieter when idling and more importantly will extend the life of the bearing.

[GDPR]

Well.... daft as it may seem, I have often wondered if the large coil spring at the release arm between the arm and the bellhousing was meant to just nudge the shaft round enough... otherwise I've only seen what people have added -the TR boys have the same issue and someone has come up with an adjustable pushrod and a spring.... takes some tweaking to get right and needs regular adjusting to keep it there...

[Andrew S]

Hi Russ, yes, I bought this TR kit and its well made but just couldnt see how to fit as the rod seemed too long and the spring was so strong.

[les M]

Jon
I had the same thing a few year's ago, and I fitting a return spring so that it just gave that little bit of clearance. But you need to fit an adjustable stop so that the spring will not push the slave cylinder piston back. ( as Russ mentioned) I only check it every now and then when I'm under there and it has needed very little adjustment.

Les.

[Andrew S]

Cheers Les

Any suggestions on adjustible springs? Any thing on ebay before I start strippin the bed matress?

[les M]

Cheers Les

Any suggestions on adjustible springs? Any thing on ebay before I start strippin the bed matress?

Andrew
The spring is not adjustable it's the stop that is adjustable. I just made up a bracket with a 8mm bolt through it and a couple of nut's to adjust it with, and it stops the actuating arm that the pushrod is connected too from returning to far.

Les.

[Andrew S]

Hi Les, I dont suppose you can take a photo can you? Much appreciated

[les M]

Andrew
Sorry camera is U/S. The bracket is nothing special just a bit of bent steel with a bolt fitted to adjust the length.

Les.

[bunny]

Hi Les
Did you bolt your bracket to the bell housing bolts
vince

[les M]

Vince
I just used one of the clutch slave cylinder mounting bolts, to mount the bracket.

Les.

[staginhiding]

Cheers Les

Any suggestions on adjustible springs? Any thing on ebay before I start strippin the bed matress?

Hi Andrew,I have a drawer full of new springs of various lengths/sizes that I bought as a job lot.
If you let me know what you are looking for I can send you a pic..
Same for anyone else..

Sam

[mikethemechanic]

sorry to say it but most of your replies are wrong -=- the clutch release bearing is suposed to lightly touch the pressure plate fingers at all times,the system is designed this way and any spring assistance to back off the mechanism is disguising a problem and potentially increasing free play at pedal with possible difficult gear engagement.
your noise is bearing fault,pressure plate finger out of line,stiff pedal bearing or one of cylinders holding bearing too hard onto fingers, or some other problem.check the easy options then run car till noise is worse then seak advise from parts supplyer