TRIUMPH HERALD
CLUTCH CONCERNS
Q
I have a 1964 Triumph Herald to which I fitted a new clutch assembly, including the thrust race, just over three years ago. After covering fewer than 3500 miles I felt what appeared to be the clutch slipping when releasing the pedal. I again fitted a new clutch believing that perhaps the unit I’d originally been supplied was faulty, but now after fewer than 400 miles the clutch again feels as though it is slipping and does not appear to bite firmly as I release my foot from the pedal. If I attempt to remove my foot from the pedal at a quicker rate, this appears to make matters worse. Before resorting to replacing the clutch again, do you have any suggestions as to why I keep encountering this problem? I do not ride the clutch, and my everyday vehicle – a 2011 VW Golf – has never had a clutch problem. Phil Benson
AIt is possible that the same problem which caused the original clutch to wear and was the cause of the replacement clutch being needed is not the actual clutch assembly itself, but related to the hydraulic system. This could be either the clutch master cylinder or the clutch slave cylinder, either of which may be sticking and preventing the quick release of the clutch when lifting your foot from the pedal. This would then allow the clutch to slip as the pressure is released. It could also be the case that a rubber hose between the body and the gearbox has failed internally and is acting like a valve to prevent the pressure being released from the slave cylinder as your foot is lifted off the pedal.
One hint of any hydraulic problems would be a discolouration of the clutch fluid, as a failing cylinder rubber or hydraulic pipe may leave a residue in the fluid. By pumping up the clutch and then opening the bleed screw on the slave cylinder, it may be possible to ascertain if the fault is in the slave cylinder or the connecting pipe. If the clutch lever returns quickly this may suggest the pipe is at fault, whilst if the return seems laboured then the slave cylinder may be sticking internally.