Heavy Clutch - what else can I do...

[Chris01573]

Hi All,

So since getting the stag on the road a few weeks ago the clutch has been an issue (this was the clutch that came with car so unknown provinence), it's very heavy and also judders when hot. So I have taken out the gearbox anf have a new Borg&Beck Clutch kit from LD Parts to fit with bearing included. However to avoid me going through this again I am going to also replace the clutch fork and the sleeve with the EJ Wards uprated version... Before I start to put this all back together can I just check on the gearbox extension nose. Mine is 50mm long. It is smooth and has no gouges or nicks in it however I notice that Robsport do a longer version, is this just for Rover conversions or is it a good idea to fit this as well. I want to go belt and braces as taking the gearbox out is not my favourite job :-)

Clutch.jpg
Clutch 2.jpg

[new to this]

You said you had clutch judder, have you also checked the flywheel any burn marks or scores , it may need a skim

Dave

[Chris01573]

Picture of the Robsport extended version...

robsport.jpg

[MikeParker]

I too had a juddering clutch when hot only. It turned out to be the red clutch hose. When hot it was becoming soft allowing it to expand more under pressure. That effectively puts a spring between your foot and the clutch. That spring combined with any stiction in the clutch mechanism produces the judder. The cure in my case was to simply replace the hose with a new one. No judder when hot. You can get metal re-enforced hoses, I believe, and that would do an even better job I would imagine. That was to be my next step, but have never felt that I needed to.

The heavy clutch can be influenced by choice of hole on the lever at the slave end. The longer the lever arm, the less the force required (this will also reduce judder).

[jbuckl]

Transmission to engine alignment is often overlooked.
a tighter bolt kit was being offered. Reinstate missing dowels.

[Chris01573]

You said you had clutch judder, have you also checked the flywheel any burn marks or scores , it may need a skim

Dave

It looked OK when I first assembled Dave, but will be looking more closely now !.

[Chris01573]

I too had a juddering clutch when hot only. It turned out to be the red clutch hose. When hot it was becoming soft allowing it to expand more under pressure. That effectively puts a spring between your foot and the clutch. That spring combined with any stiction in the clutch mechanism produces the judder. The cure in my case was to simply replace the hose with a new one. No judder when hot. You can get metal re-enforced hoses, I believe, and that would do an even better job I would imagine. That was to be my next step, but have never felt that I needed to.

The heavy clutch can be influenced by choice of hole on the lever at the slave end. The longer the lever arm, the less the force required (this will also reduce judder).

Currently on the correct hole, also have a new pipe fitted. Might swithc to metal reinforced though..

[Chris01573]

Transmission to engine alignment is often overlooked.
a tighter bolt kit was being offered. Reinstate missing dowels.

Yes I had two shoulder bolts the 3/8" ones on top that were a good tight fit and are supposedly the "dowel bolts" from what I read. However I have some 11/32" ground bar that I am panning to make a couple of dowel with for the lower 5/16 holes.

[NeilR]

I had similar problems with a heavy clutch when I had a problem with my left foot - couldn't hold the pedal down very long at all.

I assume the release bearing is the correct profile, should be if it's the complete Borg & Beck kit, mine was although I fitted a NOS original from Tony White.
All the usual suppliers only a supply a "Heavy Duty" one (Toyota Landcruiser) which is the wrong profile. The contact point is to far out from the centre.

The longer gearbox nose is a worthwhile change. I have one on mine. It came on a NOS gearbox I bought quite a few years ago.
I also ended up fitting a 5/8" bore Girling Master Cylinder which helped quite a lot. I also have a braided SS Clutch Hose.

Gearbox / Engine alignment is also crucial.

[mopoole]

Currently on the correct hole, also have a new pipe fitted. Might swithc to metal reinforced though..

I fitted a metal pipe bought direct from Goodridge, cheaper than from the brothers. Had to wait a couple of weeks for it though.

Maurice

[Chris01573]

OK some more pics. So I took the clutch housing off the flywheel. The surface of the flywheel feels glassy smooth so no ridges. There is a small patch that looks like a heat spot but its still smooth..

IMG_2152.jpg

[Chris01573]

So looking at the clutch cover, I fitted a "heavy duty clutch bearing" looking at the marks on the fingers the old bearing was pressing towards the tips of the fingers, the new bearing has been touching where the reddish colour marks are so further back, I guess this would be part of making the clutch feel heavier... ?

[NeilR]

Yes, the wrong profile bearing (so called heavy duty !!) all helps to give a heavier clutch pedal.

[Chris01573]

Thanks Neil, yes I can see how the bearing would not be right... the bearing I have with the new B&B kit is significantly small diameter.