CLUTCH QUESTION

[David Stepney]

When I first bought my RP saloon, it suffered from clutch judder in reverse. The clutch also could be provoked into slipping on steep hills when changing from first to second.

The engine and box on a box saloon comes out in under two hours and, when I took the clutch to bits, the linings had, at some stage, been subjected to oil contamination which had baked into the linings, giving them a finish rather like that on a grand piano. Replacing the linings (which I had riveted into place by  firm specialising in commercial vehicle brake lining replacement) not only cured the clutch slip but the judder as well.

I never found out where the oil had come from. The clutch pit was dry (well reasonably) when I stripped it and has remained so ever since. I understnad that the gearbox is often the culprit, but mine, for all its faults, doesn't leak oil!

[Bob Culver]

Re the torque tube castellated nut, the topic has been extensively covered before. Tightening the locking screws considerably tightens the assembly, and needs to be allowed for. As mentioned, if tight in extreme positons risk of something breaking. Slackness is evident as an obvious knocking in the vicinity when drive reverses. Whilst it responds to clutch shudder dunno if contributes much to the cause. Complete cure is difficult as requires restoration of sphere. i wonder if a piece of nylon or somesuch can be trapped to cushion.

[Rpm]

Thank you for taking the time with all your thoughts and views, this is invaluable and gives me another reason to look closely at the torque bracket and adjustment and rule out this area of being the problem. working in a lock-up garage not easy, my garage at home has my other classic car taking the space.
Rpm Rob.

ps Davids clutch replace is interesting. However, I will exhaust all other options first following comments above

[Tom Coates]

It's surprising what you can find out by taking of the starter motor/flywheel cover and acces hatch to the oiler (at least on an early car). You can have a fairly good look at what's going on and poke around with a screwdriver with the clutch engaged and disengaged. Worth a try if you haven't allready done this to see if anything looks loose.

[Rpm]

Thanks, Tom I will take a look with the starter and cover removed. was interested in what Bob Culver had to say about worn spline not sure if mine is or isn't, I have a noise at slow running which I thought was the prop rubbing on the plate which covers the gearbox I loosened it but not driven it since to find out. perhaps that could be the reason.
so many questions lol
what symptoms of worn spine?

[Tom Coates]

I would think that you should be able to feel slop in the clutch plate with the clutch disengaged, maybe stuff a scredriver in the slots on the plate (i think they are exposed when it is all together) and give it a wiggle.

On my car (a GE Cup) you need a double jointed neck to get in under the dashboard to look, but yours is probably more accessible.

[Rpm]

Thanks again Tom, will take a look and poke aroud through the cover.
Regards Rob