Morris Minor Owners Club

i'm getting more and more crunching noises changing gear, as though i'm trying to change without using the clutch. the old double de-clutching technique makes it a bit smoother, but it seems to be louder and crunchier than it used to be. the clutch fluid level is fine, so i wonder if it's a sign something major is wearing out, or whether it's just a moggie being a moggie.

Moggie's don't have hydraulic clutches as standard so I assume you have a modified system fitted.....? If so, have you bled the clutch and checked he adjustment is correct? If so then it is either clutch or synchro that is u/s.

Daft question. You are not checking the brake fluid are you?
As PSL said, standard Minors don't have clutch fluid.
Tell us what set up you have and we stand a chance of diagnosing the problem

Hello Doc,

it's a long time ago but had a similar problem which turned out to be low gearbox oil level. If it doesn't crunch when you select first or reverse at rest the clutch is probably OK.

Alec

the fluid i've been checking is under the driver's mat - didn't realise it was for brakes only and not clutch.! so it's just a standard clutch.
re the crunching, it does it when stationary also, first gear and reverse. as i said, sometimes while going along double declutching seems to help. as i said, it seems to be getting worse. there is no great trouble selecting and engaging the gears, ie no resistance or anything, just the crunching/grinding noise as though there is no syncro.

Hello Doc,

it sopunds like the clutch isn't clearing in that case. It is worth checking the free play adjustment, if that is too great then you won't have the full clutch.

It is located alonside the chassis rail where the master cylinder is housed, you will see a linkage with a cross shaft that locates in the gearbox side. Free play on the linkage should be about a 1\16" to 1\8" approximately.

Do your double declutching right and it should be silent, using the clutch or not. It's all in getting the revs matching the speed and gear.

Alec

There is a rod with a couple of nuts on it which adjusts the free play in the clutch linkage. This is situated under the car just to the inside of the chassis leg on the driver's side. It should have a tension spring attached to it.
Slacken off the lock nut and and tighten the adjusting nut until you have 3/4 in free play at the clutch pedal then tighten the lock nut.
Road test.

It's quite standard for the Minor box to crunch when selecting 1st or reverse from rest. The way to avoid is to pull the lever into 2nd gear to bring the spinning shafts to halt, and then change into the gear you want. As the box wears - crunching on changing down to 2nd gear is very common, although 3rd and 4tha re usually ok. The early 948 type gearbox is the worst offender at this - the later 'ribbed case' 1098 gearbox is slightly better, but by no means immune. As others have suggested - check the oil level in the box - may be just drain it and treat it to refill! It uses engine oil - DO NOT use 10W40 oil , 20W50 or straight 30 or 40 oil will be better for a worn box.

well thanks for all the tips. i'll start with the clutch adjustment, which seems to be a fairly straightforward operation as far as i can see from looking at the workshop manual. as for the gearbox, it is a 948, so maybe a change of oil might help. i use duckhams 20/50 for the engine, so will use that for the gearbox also.

If, once adjusted correctly it still crunches you may have to consider double de-clutching! My box will readily crunch if allowed, but is avoided by double de-clutching.

As long as it's not jumping out of gear (next stage in gbox failure) it will be fine !