Jump to content

Dodgy clutch or gearbox?


Recommended Posts

I am a new classic owner, a new triumph owner, and a new forumite, so if I break any golden forum rules I apologise.

 

We recently took guardianship of a 58 TR3a and after having serviced the car, we went out for a jaunt along the coast of Anglesey where we live. All was well for the first hour, but as the journey went on it became increasingly difficult to change gears, luckily I was able to limp home, but couldn't get the car into first gear at all to put it in the garage. I got it into neutral and we pushed it into the garage. I have decided to leave the car to cool until the morning before poking around. The clutch pedal was decidedly spongy by the end of the trip, so I will check for leaks first I guess. Has anyone encountered similar issues? Are there other things I should check? Grateful for any and ALL insights.

 

Regards Dale

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Dale,

welcome to the forum. Your problem sounds heat related.

Do the easy things first.

 

Check the oil in the gear box - drain and replace.

 

Is there plenty of fluid in the clutch master cylinder.

 

Bleed the clutch slave cylinder - ensure the bleed nipple is upper most.

 

Check all the pins and forks in the linkage for wear and tear. It all needs to be in good order.

 

It's possible that the clutch fork taper pin (holds the fork to the cross shaft) has sheared. This will seriously reduce the pedal effect and cause problems engaging gears.

Disconnect the slave cylinder actuating rod from the cross shaft. Move the release bearing fully forward. Now gently move the bearing fully back.

When you feel the bearing stop moving does the actuating lever keep moving (even just a little).

 

Roger

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks Roger and Dave for your insights, having checked this morning, now that the car has cooled down, it seems to be changing gear easily, so I am going to investigate the gearbox oil option first. I will let you know how I fair later on. Thanks guys

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Dale ~

 

Check the flexible hose connected to the clutch slave cylinder. If it's very old it could well be swelling under pressure.

 

Tom.

^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^

 

A well known problem with old cars. Since there's a fair chance that all flexible hoses (including the three brake hoses) are the same age, it is possible that they will have the same problem within miles. And, since all hose share the same fluid reservoir, I would suggest that you replace the fuild as well.

 

There's a fair chance that you will encounter other problems in the near future. That has to do with the car's history. Well used TRs tend to go on for ever, TRs with a history of an idle life need some tlc before they run flawlessly. Don't worry, you will overcome them and enjoy TR motoring.

 

BTW, great that you've found this forum. And.... We really love to see pics!

 

Menno

Edited by Menno van Rij 2
Link to post
Share on other sites

If it's come good after cooling down then check the clutch hydraulics item by item..

 

The clutch slave cylinder inner seal can be a culprit, so check for tell-tale leaks. Check fluid reservoir inner chamber level which supplies the clutch. (The outer chamber supplies the brakes). Do not overfill or fluid seeps past the lid and destroys the surrounding paintwork. Check for an intact clutch return spring where the slave cylinder fork joins to the clutch lever. Check for leakage at the front of the clutch master cylinder, indicating a failed inner seal. As others have indicated, the clutch flexible hose can fail. Age related swelling reduces the internal diameter, thus hindering return of fluid. This usually presents as slow return of the clutch pedal, or slow take up of the clutch after an upchange from third up to top.

 

Low gearbox oil usually presents as non engagement of an overdrive, or if really low, howling gearbox bearings.

 

Viv

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all the great input, gearbox oil levels were fine, so after checking I found the slave cylinder inner seal was indeed leaking, however when I replaced the part it quickly became evident that the master cylinder was bleeding air also, so I have ordered a replacement master, that's pretty much what you all said, impressive advice.....

 

Tom, thanks for the offer I will pop down to Bangor soon so we can swap sob stories and maybe we could help each other when needed, I do love to get my hands dirty but I am quite a novice I'm afraid. I hope to meet you at the group meeting on Sunday?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Please familiarise yourself with our Terms and Conditions. By using this site, you agree to the following: Terms of Use.