T-Series MGA clutch problems

[bobmga62]

Hi.. Okay, my clutch sometimes engaged, sometimes not... put me in a percarious position.

today, instead of rebuilding the clutch slave, i bought and installed a new one.. when I removed the old one, i said, aha, this is it.. it literally leaked from the cylinder portion of the clutch..

I took the mga for a drive and all worked well with the new slave.. until I got home in my driveway, and didn't dis-engage, ...then could not get into gear without grinding...

but,

with pumping the clutch, was able to engage and disengage gears...

Question is"

a. do you think I have a bit of air in the lines still, and should re bleed.

B.. could it be the master cylinder? (there is no sign of leakage around the Master cylinder

c. if it is the master cylinder, do you recommend a rebuild, or just go for it with a new master cylinder.

d. any other options or solutions that I may try?

Have had the car long enough, that all these components were replaced once before(10 + years ago), but know British parts, after a dozen years, probably need replacing.

thanks for the help..r

 

[14dna]

Without personal inspection, I would guess that master is at fault.
When it does not disengage, is the pedal very easy, (no pressure) or does it act as if it is OK?
You can try bleeding again, just for giggles, but I still suspect the master.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[Grantura_MKI]

I would replace the master and flex hose, bleed the system and drive.
Cheers,
D.

 

[bobmga62]

Dave.. the pedal moves freely, as though there is no pressure in the hydraulic system...

Brakes seem fine (although I know they are on a different plunger....)

R

 

[14dna]

I would then try bleeding once more, but I do believe you will require a new master.
As mentioned, the flex hose might be a good idea as well. This would renew the whole system and likely cure future ailments, at least for a good number of years.

Hope it works out well, keep us informed.

Dave

 

[DrEntropy]

It is usually best to just bite th' bullet and do both "ends". And the flex line is a "might-as-well" item.

 

[MikeP]

Sounds like the pressure seal, the one that actually pushes the fluid has failed. I've had the same thing happen with the same results in other cars

 

[PAUL161]

Just a note. I had a soft clutch on the "B" and no amount of bleeding helped, so I drained the master cyl and pumped fluid in from the slave bleed screw and the soft pedal went away. Evidently a tiny bit of air was trapped somewhere and going from bottom up took it out. It's been fine ever since. Crazy huh. PJ

 

[Grantura_MKI]

Lucky you, Paul. Forgot to mention...maybe refill the clutch system with dot 5 to run a test on the seals and see if you like it better than Castrol? Best of luck.
Cheers,
D.

 

[bobmga62]

Worked all sunday afternoon, to no avail.. so have ordered new maser cylinder, plungers, slave flex line...
basically do the system over....Kims imports taking good care of me as ususal in obtaining all parts...actually, how good that sunday went, my ignition switch broke as well, so I closed down the day with more wrong with the car then I started...Hey...the switch connections looked as though they had been jury-rigged soldered on a generation ago.. it was time...

I can't believe my girlfriend at the time, (now my wife) we would go up skiing in VT in this car every weekend (course then it was only six years old!)...(later before kids.. our MGB was the MAIN transportation for years to the point of first had a crib behind the seats.. YIKES!!!

 

[DrEntropy]

"We were Soldiers Once...and Young" :wink:

 

[Bruce74B]

YUP...my wife (and Aetna Insurance, but that is another story) coerced me into selling my '69 MGB in favor of kids. We also traded the Jeep CJ7 in on a Cherokee...even though it was a two door and had a four speed, it was the end of an era. Two Surburbans followed, but the second one towed home a little orange 74 MGB...my Clemetine

oh, good luck with the clutch, Bob!

 

[bobmga62]

Okay..

I have replaced the Clutch slave, the flex pipe and the complete master cylinder, when I took the master cylinder out I could see that the push rod was damp on the exterior (of the clutch) so I assume that is the culprit..

but..

now I cannot get the system to bleed properly... though I had though I had bench bleed the system correctly, by putting the cylinder on a vise and pumping fluid through it..

the front brakes are grabbing, the rear brakes are don't even accentuate,, and when I open the bleeder, they just drip a bit, even with pressure.

and when I do the clutch, and I open under pressure, I get no fluid..

sounds like I go one heck of an air pocket in the master..

Is there a way I can eliminate the bubble without taking it all apart again..

thanks

r