Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi all -

Just bought a 67 Pickup as an xmas present to myself - Had new clutch, rings & timing chain fitted about 100 miles ago by the last owner.

Had a test drive and all seemed well so I handed over the cash and drove home - After about 20 miles the clutch started to make a rattle/knocking when depressed and the clutch pedal feels like it is moving up and down when depressed.
Problem gets worse as the engine heats up - pretty much ok for the first mile or so when the engine is cold after that the engine stalls when you come to a stop as if the clutch is dragging.

Have taken the gearbox off to check nothing is loose and all seems tight.

A friend has said the Crank Thrust washers may have been disturbed when the rings were fitted allowing the crank to move back and foreward when hot - Is this possible??

Any help would be very much Appreciated

Thanks Pete in Bournemouth Dorset

Crank will move when hot or cold - so - just check by pulling/pushing the crank! I would have said most likely is the clutch pressure assembly has come partly adrift - one of the springs disengaged. Inspect it carefully. Also - is there an oilite bush in the crank tail - is there excessive movement on the clutch input shaft on it's bearing (and is it bent!) - and what condition is the carbon thrust bearing - and is it located in the arm ok -and held with the two spring clips?

Couid it be wear and tear on the clutch pedal mechanism as I think the bushes wear out and make the pedal feel loose and also check clutch adjustment if you feel the clutch is dragging.

Pedal 'moving up and down' - suggests the reaction plate on the pressure assembly is wobbling about -as it would if one spring has come loose/jumped off.

Many thanks for all your replies.

I have just got myself a workshop manual so I will take the clutch off this weekend and have a good look at the springs etc.

One thing the manual does not mention is the crankshaft play - Should the crank move backwards / forewards even a little bit
in other words should it be rock solid or is a little play ok?.

Just incase we can't fix this problem does anyone know of a garage near Bournemouth that knows about the Morris 1000 - Want to have some fun in it and I don't like having it in bits!!

Best regards

Pete

Yes the crank should have ~ 5 thou end play - but it's not critical. It will be the pressure assembly that has been knocked off square when the gearbox was being fitted.

Thanks - Will check the 5 thou when I check the cluth.

Pete

Hi all

Got the clutch off and all seems well - BUT - the spiggot bush in the back of the crankshaft is oval so have ordered a new one.

May explain the noise when the clutch is de-pressed (i hope)

Anyone changed one - if so how do you remove the bush?

Thanks pete

I rather doubt that's the problem - but to change it - you fill the hole with grease - then take a piece of wood dowel rod - a good tight fit in the bush (not easy if worn!) - place it in the bush and hammer the end, the theory is that the grease will act hydraulically and push the bush out. Don't blame me if you end up with an eye full of grease. If that doesn't work - you will just have to chip it out with small chisel or old screwdriver.

Just a quick up date ..............


Had the bush in the back of the engine changed and all seems well -

I think the gearbox shaft was held tight by the clutch plate when in "drive" but when the clutch was depressed the shaft and the clutch plate could move about a bit due to the shaft rattling around in the very worn bush.

Thought I was in line for a new gearbox or at least a very big bill.

Hope this will help someone else one day with the same problem.

Best regards

Pete