TR2/3/3A TR3A with TR6 trans Clutch Bleed Issue Resolved.

[karls59tr]

The issue was the pedal only engaging about half way to the floor and sometimes not at all.After unsuccessfully trying to bleed the clutch hydraulic system using every conceivable method including reverse bleeding and pressure bleeding I removed the slave cylinder exterior "return spring"and got firm pedal immediately. What's the technical explanation for the spring's negative influence on the slave? I understand the TR6 did away with the outside return spring. The odd thing is I drove for 10 years with the TR6 trans that had that return spring in place???

 

[TR3driver]

The TR2-4 throwout bearing was not designed to run all the time; the return spring is what pulls it back from the pressure plate so it doesn't. The TR6 bearing is a special free-running design that should run with only very light pressure (from the spring inside the slave cylinder) to load it into the pressure plate fingers.

Sounds like you aren't getting the pushrod adjusted properly; plus your return spring is too weak to reliably return the piston home in the slave. You may recall I warned you about that before.

 

[karls59tr]

When I removed the slave return spring the clutch then operated perfectly and the pedal is where it is supposed to be.I can now shift with no issues. Is my throw out bearing running all the time now? I thought you mentioned once that were running your 3 with the return spring off as well?

 

[TR3driver]

Is my throw out bearing running all the time now?

Meybe. If not, you may start hearing a squeal as it rubs against the pressure plate fingers.

But I may be worrying about nothing. Geo Hahn reports that his TR3A works fine without the return spring.

I thought you mentioned once that were running your 3 with the return spring off as well?

No, just without the extra tab to increase the return spring tension (and compensate for the shorter pushrod). But I also have a TR6 style TOB, to go with TR4A clutch & aluminum flywheel. And I had planned to install the tab last weekend, I just didn't get it done. The variation in clutch engagement is starting to bug me.

 

[CJD]

Is there a chance you had the spring pulling in the wrong direction?

 

[karls59tr]

Is there a chance you had the spring pulling in the wrong direction?

The spring was hooked up in the normal location. The clutch works well without the spring....not sure why ....I'm just happy it's now drivable.:joyous:

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Haven't used a spring on the slave cyl in years

Marv