Morris Minor Owners Club

I adjusted up the clutch on the rod a couple of weeks ago, I wasn't too happy with the result and the clutch pedal seemed to close to the floor. Went to drive the other evening and couldn't get Trundle into gear with the clutch, I engaged 2nd by revving the engine and held the gear stick against second until revs dropped enough to slip into gear, I was able to return home using this method (crash box??) and double declutching to go down the gears. 1st seemed unobtainable and I didn't try it more than once and decided the horrendous crunching couldn't be good. I am afraid to do anything else in case I do some permanent damage. Where should I start? Readjust the rod, or has the clutch gone. Trundle drives in gear well still, just doesn't change when running.If I can try to fix it,let me know the easiest place to start, as I think changing the clutch may be beyond my abilities

explain how you adjusted it ,how much free play,If it was ok before why did you need to readjust,sounds like you have taken all the adjustment off to me,thats if it was ok b efore.How far does the pedal now go down BEFORE you feel the pressure of the clutch.

Look underneath to make sure that nothing has come apart or broken

Kennat I readjusted by undoing the lock nut on the rod and winding the adjusting nut a few turns. I adjusted because the clutch felt like it had too much movement before I had any action.

mike.perry wrote:Look underneath to make sure that nothing has come apart or broken

Trundle is on stands at the minute, and I had a quick look but stopped as I was in danger of exposure! I'll look again this afternoon.

kennatt wrote:explain how you adjusted it ,how much free play,If it was ok before why did you need to readjust,sounds like you have taken all the adjustment off to me,thats if it was ok b efore.How far does the pedal now go down BEFORE you feel the pressure of the clutch.

Wierdly I can feel the pressure of the clutch after some movement, but the pedal is nowhere near high enough, I can put my toe under it and lift it up 3 or 4" after it returns? I am in panic mode, so not thinking clearly and am afraid to mess with anything else in case I make it worse.

It sounds like you've adjusted it the wrong way. Did you try adjusting the rod in the opposite direction after you found that the initial adjustment had made it worse?

As for being able to lift the pedal up- it sounds as though the bad adjustment combined with a missing or broken return spring (which should be next to the nut you're adjusting under the car) are the cause.

It sounds like you have turned the nut the wrong way,ie you have screwed it off the adjuster rod. you have the car on stands so simply get underneath , push the clutch lever,the one that comes out of the gearbox, towards the rear of the car,untill you feel it stop,this shows that the lever has placed the thrust bearing up against the clutch plate and that any further movement will start to disengage the clutch, If the return spring is in place it should have done this for you ,then pull the rod with the adjuster nut on,forwards and look at the length of the rod/threads now exposed that passes through the hole in the lever ,you need to screw the adjusting nut up until it touches the lever,Then BACK IT OFF a couple of turns,then before setting the locknut,check the clutch at the pedal,you are aiming to get about 1" free movement at the pedal before feeling the clutch,minimum recommended is 3/4". You may need to move the nut in or out to get the required free play,then check that the gears are now engaging ok ,then set the locknut.Its a very simple system one of the easiest,once you know how.

Seems to me the return spring is missing - and yes - the adjustment is far far too loose. With the spring fitted - you should have ~ 1" free play before the release carbon makes contact with the pressure plate assembly.

OK, after enduring the freezing cold under Trundle, it would appear to be more than one issue. The Clutch Pedal is very low, I can pull it back to the top of its travel, push it down, but it does not return back to the top of its travel, just sits very close to the floor. Is it possible that the pedal is at fault?

Check the return spring as BMC suggests

3 of us have said that:

1. You've probably adjusted the linkage the wrong way, and

2. The return spring is probably broken or missing.

These would be a good place to start looking

Return spring, the one that holds the adjuster nut in place against the locking nut is in place and unbroken. Sorry I should have said that earlier. I cant understand how but no matter how far in, or out I wind the adjuster nut it has no effect on the Clutch Pedal, it still remains almost to the floor of the car. Is it possible the pedal has come "adrift" as when I lift the pedal by hand there is a "groaning" rubbing noise as I get to full extension.

The spring should be powerful enough to pull the pedal right up inside the car. Possible you have the wrong spring (it should be very strong - so strong it's difficult to install!) - and also highly likely the clutch pedal pivot/shaft is seized. Lift the little plate around the master cylinder and heavily lub the moving parts of the clutch (and brake) pedals. Once you have the pedal springing up correctly - you can then set about sorting out the adjustment.

Cheers BMC, the return spring is quite light, and is easy to take off and replace, although it has functioned since we got Trundle in February, and this is definately part of the problem. Do I need to get a new spring from a Moggie specialist or is there another spring that will fit that is more easily available? Just good to know I'm not going mad!

Sounds like you have an accelerator return spring on there. However - short term - if it worked beore, it should work now. Start oiling!! And yes - pick up a stronger spring. Local ironmonger? Or try local garage?

Will do, as soon as it stops raining, I hope tomorrow afternoon!

A local scooter/motorcycle shop might have one as well,lambretta foot support springs are very similar ,absolute ******** to fit

I've got teenage sons, who,as exchange for Moggie Driving lessons, roll under cars and do the horrid stuff. ( I have learned to check their handiwork though)

Make SURE the car is very securely supported. A Minor owner was sadly killed earlier this year when the car fell on him.