T-Series Clutch

[kennethR]

I was wondering if anyone could give me an idea. I have a 1979 MGB and I think the clutch is going. It only has 40,000 miles. If I try to put it into reverse I only get a grinding noise. If I shut the car off I am able to put it into gear and back up. It also feel difficult to put it into first but I am able to.
Any ideas:

 

[90 XJ-S]

Yeah,

Your clutch is not disengaging completely. You probably need to bleed your hydraulics.
Some one who has done it more recently than I can probably give you a blow by blow, if you need it.

Mike

 

[mirceme]

Kenneth:

I had clutch problems earlier this summer and the forum members were able to help me out. I'll pass along to you same information that was given to me.

The clutch on my '74 MGB consists of a master cylinder mounted on the firewall on the driver's side next to the brake master cylinder. Check the fluid level here and top off with DOT 4 brake fluid.

The clutch also has a slave cylinder. You can follow the line from the master cylinder down to the slave cylinder. Mine is located on the passenger side below the starter. You can verify its location by having someone push in the clutch and you will see the piston move on the slave cylinder. The slave cyclinder has a bleeder valve. Loosen the valve and have someone slowly, but continuously pump the clutch until you have a stream of hydralic fluid coming through the bleeder valve.

There are threads on the forum that describe self bleeder kits and others that describe reverse bleeding the system by forcing hydralic fluid from the bleeder valve back through the system to the master cylinder. I can't comment on either of these methods.

 

[Steve]

Agreed.......the clutch needs bleeding, definitely a low-cost remedy, if a little fiddly.