Clattering clutch calamity!

[LouiseM]

My Minor has been garaged over the winter and has been started regularly although work commitments have meant that I’ve not been able to take it out for a good run for a couple of months now. As I’ve got a rare day off work today I did some pre-MOT checks and set off for a long run. The car started fine with no problems but approx ½ mile down the road it started making a really loud metallic ‘clattering’ noise. It is driving fine apart from the noise, which is now there whether the car is being driven or not. There’s nothing under the bonnet which seems to be causing the problem but the noise stops when the clutch pedal is depressed. The clutch engages all gears with no problem but the noise reappears when I take my foot off the clutch pedal. What’s the problem and is it an easy fix?

[RobMoore]

the noise there when stationary also?
Seems like you may have something lose, if you cant see from under bonnet then you will need to check from underneath.

[LouiseM]

Yes, the noise is now there even when stationary, although it wasn't there when I first started & drove the car. The noise only stops when I depress the clutch pedal or turn the ignition off.

[taupe]

Louise

Does the pedal seem less stiff than usual or is it sitting nearer to the floor?

If so you might be lucky and only have a loose or broken clutch pedal return spring.

Taupe

[LouiseM]

Hi Taupe,

The pedal doesn't seem any different although as it's been a while since I've driven it, and I have been driving various different cars in the meantime, I could be mistaken (The car was left in gear when garaged to stop the brakes seizing on). It's a loud clattering noise like metal against metal. Would a broken spring cause those symptoms? I hope that's the problem but I'm not usually blessed with much luck! What's the worse case scenario?

Louise

[dalebrignall]

louise i have had a spring fall off on a journey back from yorkshire the clutch did feel a bit odd.but the strange thing was as there were no roundabouts i did not depress the clutch for 100 miles ,but soon noticed when i did .i always carry a spare.i was wondering if the reliese baring was going .your engine is not long been replaced did they fit a new clutch when the engine was out .might be worth checking the spring is in place .

[Alec]

Hello Louise,

I'm wondering if the starter bendix is not going out fully and is just touching the flywheel? Depressing the clutch probably moves the flywheel away from the starter pinion. Having said that the movement of the flywheel is very small. But I'm at a loss to what else it may be, seeing as the clutch operation seems normal?

Alec

[bmcecosse]

Bendix is an interesting possibility! Worth investigating. I don't suppose all the oil has fallen out of the gearbox? I have to say though - most likely unfortunately is that something has gone wrong with the release bearing or or the release pad/springs on the clutch pressure plate. If you pull out the rubber pads on the side of bell housing you should be able to look inside. But -I do quite like Alec's idea with the bendix! I think I would investigate that before doing anything too major. ie - remove starter and run the engine (starting with the handle) to see if the noise is still there........

[LouiseM]

your engine is not long been replaced did they fit a new clutch when the engine was out

The engine was replaced around 18 months ago and they said that there was very little wear to the clutch and it didn't need to be replaced. I've had absolutely no problems with the clutch up until now - the car was fine when last driven.

I don't suppose all the oil has fallen out of the gearbox?

I didn't notice any on the garage floor (well no more than usual!) Funny that Alec has mentioned the starter though as that was the area where I thought the noise was coming from but it was a bit difficult to tell. My first thought was that it sounded a bit like the fan blade hitting the radiator but that wasn't the problem. By 'bendix' do you mean the actual starter motor? (haven't got my manual to hand at the moment).

[Alec]

Hello Louise,

The bendix is the pinion. It has a helix and the inertia when the starter is operated brings it into mesh with the flywheel. Once the engine fires it is unscrewed by the engine acelerating and moves out of engagement. There is a light spring to help it fully withdraw.
I admit it's a bit of a guess, but as I said I can't think of anything else given an operational clutch?

Alec

[LouiseM]

Thanks Alec. What would have caused the problem - just general wear & tear? And if it is the bendix do you think that the entire starter motor would need replacing or just the bendix? I've just had a look on the ESM site and they sell both the starter motor and bendix pinion.

[Alec]

Hello Louise,

i suspect that the layup may be to blame, assuming that is the problem. Hopefully just a clean up will do (de grease?) The pinion mechanism shouldn't be lubrcated as that also causes sticking. It is most unlikely that the motor itself needs attention\replacing.

Alec

[dalebrignall]

hi louise try taking the starter motor off the car and cleaning it i with degreaser,dry it off and lubricate the bendix with a lead pencil ,it might be that simple .

[LouiseM]

Thanks everyone I'll try giving the starter a good clean and hope that it sorts the problem. Can anyone recommend a good degreaser?

[dalebrignall]

hi louise a product called gunk works well

[bmcecosse]

Carb cleaner spray can - it's Toluene and evaporates nicely. Also highly flam of course!

[mike.perry]

When you remove the starter you should be able to turn the bendix up and down the spiral. Also check the spring is OK.
If not the starter then my money is on the thrust bearing but you will have to drop the box to check, although you may be able to see inside the clutch housing if you take the rubber bung out

[LouiseM]

Thanks Mike. Fingers crossed it's the starter and not the clutch. I'll take it out at the weekend, clean it up and report back.

[rayofleamington]

I would guess from the symtoms that the noise is caused by the release pad ( or a spring) coming unclipped.
It could be related to a destroyed bearing on the input shaft, but with that I'd expect you would hear something when moving along in gear (even with the clutch depressed).

[LouiseM]

Quick query! I know that removal of the starter motor is by removing 2 bolts and whilst the top bolt looks easy enough to get to the one underneath looks tricky to reach. Do you get at it from underneath the car? Bearing in mind that I have just a small amount of garage space, short (ish) arms and no ramps how easy will it be to remove the bottom bolt? Does anyone have any tips / suggestions for making the removal easy?