• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Clutch or Overdrive Slip

toxi

Freshman Member
Country flag
Offline
I had to be low loaded after what I thought was a slipping clutch. I was on a long journey involving many steep climbs without any problem. On another steep climb the revs started to rise and the car came to a standstill in second gear. I rolled back down and tried it in first gear and just made it to the top. However, after making a steep decent there was no drive at all.

I have since taken out the gearbox and inspected the clutch plate. It has some wear, but plenty of meat left on the friction surface and no signs of overheating.

I am now thinking that it could be an overdrive problem. I had noticed that on the odd occasion when I had forgotten to disengage the o/d there is a slippage as too much torque is being transmitted going up the gears, but stops as soon as I ease off the accelerator a little.

The o/d was not engaged when this incident happened as I was in second.

There is no drive at all now.

Can anyone make a suggestion, please?

Mike
 

Healey Nut

Luke Skywalker
Country flag
Offline
Did you check the pushrod on the slave cylinder to make sure the hole for the clevis’s pin is not oval instead of round .
What was the condition of the release bearing
 

kozelding

Senior Member
Country flag
Offline
There are apparently conditions when the overdrive can slip even when it's not engaged. See "Part Four" of this vintage Mr. Finespanner article (which I'm not able to find online anymore?)
 

Attachments

  • Del Border (Mr Finespanner) The Overdrive.pdf
    195.4 KB · Views: 156
OP
T

toxi

Freshman Member
Country flag
Offline
Did you check the pushrod on the slave cylinder to make sure the hole for the clevis’s pin is not oval instead of round .
What was the condition of the release bearing
Hi thanks for the reply, the clevis pin is not oval but does look home made. however it has worked well for many years. I checked the movement and when the clutch pedal is depressed it extends a good half inch so I don't think the problem is there.
the release bearing is the carbon type and it looks ok. but don't know how it would compare to a new one, there is still a few mm of carbon left and all surfaces are clean and shiny, clutch plate also has a few mm off the rivets and does not look like it's been subject to excessive heat.
This is what is making me think that the clutch in the o/d could be causing slippage even when not in engaged, when in first or second gear. Do you know if that is possible - or not?
I don't want to put it all back together with new plate and release bearing only to find the problem is still there.
 
OP
T

toxi

Freshman Member
Country flag
Offline
There are apparently conditions when the overdrive can slip even when it's not engaged. See "Part Four" of this vintage Mr. Finespanner article (which I'm not able to find online anymore?)
thanks I will try to find this article.
mike
 

Bob_Spidell

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
I was able to download the article from the provided link. 'Part Four' describes what happens when the unidirectional clutch in the OD is damaged, and it fits your symptoms. Also, the lined cone clutch that enables the OD to propel the car can wear and slip, which also would probably create your symptoms. The only source for these clutches that I have found are relined ones from Denis Welch (who also offers a 'race' version, which is both riveted and bonded). FWIW, when I rebuilt my OD a few years ago the cone clutch was still serviceable at over 200K miles.
 
OP
T

toxi

Freshman Member
Country flag
Offline
I was able to download the article from the provided link. 'Part Four' describes what happens when the unidirectional clutch in the OD is damaged, and it fits your symptoms. Also, the lined cone clutch that enables the OD to propel the car can wear and slip, which also would probably create your symptoms. The only source for these clutches that I have found are relined ones from Denis Welch (who also offers a 'race' version, which is both riveted and bonded). FWIW, when I rebuilt my OD a few years ago the cone clutch was still serviceable at over 200K miles.
Hi Bob
After reading the article part four I am fairly convinced that there has been a failure within the o/d. This happened with very little warning and there was some clunking noises after a complete lack of drive, there is usually quite a bit of warning when the flywheel clutch fails, there was also lack of the usual burning smells.
I am going to take the o/d apart and see if there is any obvious damage and following the manuals I will try the repair myself. but may have to send away if it gets too technical I am going on holiday so won't be able to report my findings for a few weeks.
I am very grateful for your help.
Many thanks Mike
 

Bob_Spidell

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
When you start, let us know. I learned a couple things rebuilding the OD in my BJ8 I'd be happy to share. It's a straightforward process, but there's some gotchas, not the least of which is mating the OD to the gearbox.

Here's a good watch (but some things weren't mentioned):

 

BobHaskell

Jedi Warrior
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Del's article is online at > The Overdrive <. As I put the article on the website, Del's nom de plume of got me in trouble with the actual Mr. Finespanner - Doug Reid and team.net's Mark Bradakis.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
KVH General TR Overdrive Up-date and Clutch Question Triumph 2
T TR2/3/3A Question on A type overdrive spec for "clutch movement from direct to overdrive" Triumph 7
71TR6 TR2/3/3A Aftermarket brake and clutch master cylinders - black extension? Triumph 6
tr6nitjulius For Sale TR6 Clutch Master Cylinder $40 Triumph Classifieds 0
Turbozinke TR2/3/3A Varying clutch engagement Triumph 6
K TR2/3/3A Pushing down the clutch pedal when starting the car? Triumph 13
DutchConnection Clutch finger problems on Powetune aftermarket clutch cover Spridgets 0
3 100 Clutch Freeplay Austin Healey 7
K New Clutch Master/Slave Cylinder Austin Healey 1
wkilleffer MGB MGB clutch slave bleed driving me nuts MG 38
Govtslug TR6 Clutch Problem Triumph 21
wkilleffer MGB 1974 MGB clutch master cylinder questions MG 1
AUSMHLY Clutch Pedal Freeplay Austin Healey 18
T General Tech Clutch trouble Triumph 12
K TR2/3/3A Gearbox clutch adjustment. Triumph 1
AUSMHLY Clutch Stalls Engine Austin Healey 16
D Wanted WTB - clutch fork and shifter from Datsun 5 speed #60 Spridgets Classified 0
G MGB Sorry from the Newbie...Clutch gone on 78 MGB MG 17
P TR2/3/3A TR3 Clutch Bleeding Problem Triumph 10
T Spitfire Clutch fork and hydraulic cylinders Triumph 3
Got_All_4 TR6 Which Clutch Master Cylinder Fork is for TR6 Triumph 4
AUSMHLY BJ8 Clutch Pressure Plate, Old vs New Austin Healey 4
Lin Brake/Clutch Fluid Austin Healey 11
R TR2/3/3A Clutch Petal Adjustment Triumph 2
AUSMHLY BJ8 Clutch Fork Bush Replacement Austin Healey 5
KVH General Tech New Clutch Installation--TR4A Triumph 5
T Spitfire Spitfire MK2 Clutch Hydraulics Triumph 2
D Clutch Fork Pin Removal Austin Healey 4
AUSMHLY BJ8 Clutch Pressure Plate Brand Preferences Austin Healey 3
Michael Oritt Clutch Linkage Austin Healey 19
M 1275 Race Clutch Racing 5
G MGB 1978 MGB clutch is out..! MG 39
M TR2/3/3A HVDA Replacement Clutch Disc Available from Moss Triumph 10
B Spridget with a Tilton Race Clutch Racing 1
AUSMHLY Clutch Pilot Bush: NOS vs Aftermarket Austin Healey 8
T Clutch Pedal Engagement Point Austin Healey 1
TR6Canuck For Sale 72 TR6 clutch and transmission Triumph Classifieds 4
K TR2/3/3A Clutch slave "return spring"? Triumph 3
vintagemechanic Recommended clutch kits Jaguar 3
K TR2/3/3A Mystery Clutch MC? Spitfire....TR4....69-70 TR6??? Triumph 2
K TR2/3/3A Clutch Master Cylinders? Triumph 1
R TR2/3/3A Clutch Engagement Triumph 31
S TR2/3/3A Clutch pushes hard when engine is hot Triumph 4
T TR2/3/3A TR3A clutch problem Triumph 15
S MGB 1978, replacing the clutch. MG 3
S MGB clutch replacement MG 7
K TR2/3/3A Clutch "Long Throw" Slave Cylinder? Triumph 4
D BJ7 Clutch Austin Healey 6
K TR2/3/3A An Unusual Brake and Clutch MC Set Up? Triumph 2
K TR2/3/3A Clutch and Brake Master Cylinder push rod stop bolts? Triumph 15

Similar threads

Top