Noisy clutch thrust race

[Ncoates]

Having sorted out the clutch disengagement, I've now got another annoyance -  a noisy clutch thrust race. Driving to Prescott and back a couple of weeks ago this got progressively worse, to the extent that on the return journey to London, the race sounded like a loose washer rattling around on a metal bar. Assumed it might be a weak pedal return spring knowing that this keeps the pressure on the clutch pedal, however, lightly depressing the pedal to take up any pre-disengagement slack against the levers made no difference. I also thought it could be a loose race dust cover, but on inspection this appears to be well retained by the peening over of the race body.  The bearing feels nice and smooth with no suggestion that the race has broken up, which would be unusual in any case.... I also oiled the race which seemed to make no difference. One thing I have not checked is whether the starter pinion has been creeping forward, if not secured properly by the spring clip...I bent the clip arms out as they pinion was sticking, so I will do this. I am sure this would not make a constant whirring noise as described above. 

Any other suggestions.

[Bob Kneale]

I had a similar noise last week, which turned out to be the cover plate over the flywheel that had become completely free of all restraints!
I too suspected a clutch thrust problem but the solution turned out to be simpler.
Shame you didn't make it to Cornwall at Edd's this year.You were missed

[Howard Wright]

Hi

I had a clutch related noise on my RK earlier in the year. It turned out that a taper dowel on a release arm had worked loose enough to catch on clutch toggles.  Just an idea?

Cheers

Howard

[Robert Foreman]

Have you dismantled the thrust races to see the condition of the balls and tracks?

[squeak]

My bacon slicer is surprisingly rattley when travelling. Cured by changing to a fresh unit, I think it stems from the pinion. Very noisy, you could experiment with leaving the starter off and temporarily using the handle. Come to think of it the handle also has a reputation all be it a quieter one.

[Ncoates]

I haven't Robert - going to investigate later today. I am not convinced its the condition of the races - we'll see. 

Nick