Morris Minor Owners Club

I currently own a 1956 Series 2 Morris, which I drive to work everyday, although lately it has developed a grinding noise whenever the clutch is depressed or the throttle is lightly touch, if I give it a bit of power the grinding goes away. When the clutch is depressed it is quite a seroius grinding noise. I have absloutely no idea what it is and would appreciate any help that can be offered.

Title Changed

If the grinding is also accompanied by a very low bite point
STOP driving it!
Your release bearing is shafted, probably worn away to dust.

Take the engine/box out and replace the bearing with a new one.

The grinding noise is the sound of whats left of your bearing - or worst case the fork which holds it - digging itself into your pressure plate.

Mine did the same thing a few months ago. I bought a new release bearing, fitted it and was on my way.
I got some help from packedup on here - always helps to rope in a local 'board member'

Agree - it's almost certainly as Dunketh describes - although I do wonder about the 'throttle lightly touched' grinding noise. At the very least - urgently get under the car with a good bright torch, pull the rubber bungs out the clutch bellhousing - and peer inside at the state of the release bearing. It's a great shame it can't be changed without taking the engine out (which is far easier than taking gearbox out) - or has anyone found a way to do it? Maybe just possible to enlarge the inspection hole enough to get old bearing out and new one in - kind of 'keyhole surgery' for a Minor !

The problem then is getting the cylindrical bearing through the input shaft...

Somebody call Paul Daniels! I've seen him seperate rings.

Indeed!

Thanks ver much for all the responses, I've just ordered a new bearing now, hopefully will have it in time for work!

Yet again much appreciated

Aye - but it DOES need the engine popping out to fit!