Help, clutch stuck, I think?
Turbo Mini Forums

Hi Guys

I think my clutch has seized. The car has been sat static for quite some time with a whole new pre-verto clutch assembly installed. I have fitted new slave cylinder, new throw arm etc....

I bled the clutch a few weeks ago and although the clutch pedal felt very light I didn't think too much of it. Today I have tried to put car into gear and it just won't go into any gear with the engine running. Goes into gear fine with engine off.

I have checked throw out adjustment which is fine and the throw out lever works fine too so I have come to the conclusion that the cluth plate must be stuck on.

Anybody have any clever tips to try and free the clutch without having to take the whole assembly apart??

Cheers
Rich

If you are confident that the clutch stuck is what it is, put it into 4th gear with the engine stopped, then start the car with the handbrake on with your foot pushing the clutch pedal to the floor. If the release mech is working and the problem is the clutch stuck then this should free the clutch. Be ready to turn the engine off pronto though if the clutch doesn't disengage.
Personally I've never ever come across a Mini with a stuck clutch plate in 15 years of messing with them, so you may need to investigate further.

Ok yes I have heard of this technique but was a bit reluctant to try it before seeking advice first. Are there any other diagnostics I could perform to try and confirm my suspicions? I just want to try all I can before starting to take the clutch assembly apart.

i have the exact same problem im stripping it down now will let u know what i find.

Hi,
If the pedal is very light, it won't be stuck.
It'll be a hydraulic problem, either needs more bleeding or the master cylinder is fubard.
Unless you've put it back together wrong....
Get someone to press the pedal and see if the clutch arm moves a good inch or so....
Cheers,
Gavin :)

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I measured from the slave cylinder to the throw out arm when normal and when depressed and the difference was about 1cm???

Hi,
Should move further than that. Try bleeding it with the return spring removed, don't know why but it usually works
Cheers,
Gavin :)

VEMs Authorised Installer / Re-seller. K head kits now available!

WB/EGT gauges. Click here for customers write-up

Visit www.doyouneedabrain.co.uk

My Mini build diary

Ok will try that tomorrow. Necking a bottle of red wine now so probably not a good time to start playing with brake fluid!

ive managed to solve my problem it was the new flywheel.

your prob sounds different to mine though sorry

Ok, update for you and a bit of a strange one this. When i remove the spring from the slave cylinder to the throw out arm, the clutch works fine. As soon as i put the spring back on it's as though the spring is too strong for the slave and it can't move the arm far enough to operate the clutch. How strong should this spring be? I can just put spring on by hand but only just.

Rich

Spring just needs to be strong enough to pull the arm back to the stop, what clearance is there between clutch arm and stop when you remove spring and move the arm by hand?

-MINI CLUBMAN 1380 TURBO-