GEAR SELECTION PROBLEM

[tr7inc]

<font color="green"></font id="green">Hi Guys, just went to fire my 7 up and just drive it out of the garage unto the drive, and im having a problem selecting any gear, what would you think would be the obvious place to start my search for clues, the slave cylinder isnt that old and in correctly just cant fiqure out why last week it was fine and this week all i get is resistance, any help is a big help thanks all



Steve
1979 Pre Production Prototype Inca Yellow DHC

[Workshop Help]

With the car elevated, have your assistant press and release the clutch pedal several times while you are underneath listening for the movement of the clutch mechanism. Of course, the engine will not be running at this time. If you hear or feel nothing moving in there, suspect the clutch hydraulics may need an overhaul.

If you heard the normal squeaking noises, lower the car. With it in gear, have the assistant press in the clutch while you try and push the car on level ground. If the car does not push, the clutch plate is stuck to the flywheel.

If you can push it with the clutch depressed, the transmission can now be suspected.

Mildred Hargis

[tr7inc]

Many thnaks Mildred, either way prob gonna cost me a few bucks then!!



Steve
1979 Pre Production Prototype Inca Yellow DHC

[TR Tony]

Steve, that's a good summary from Mildred.

If it was OK a week ago, & assuming you have got fluid in the system, no signs of leaks, I would guess at the clutch plate being stuck to the flywheel. Quick test for this is to try engaging gears with the engine NOT running (still pushing the clutch down as normal) - if you seem to be able to move through the gear positions without problems but then cannot engage with the engine running, then very likely to be a stuck clutch.

The can often be remedied easily. Do you have a long drive? Engage first or second with engine off, then start the engine - beware the car will shoot forward immediately as the clutch cannot disengage! Sometimes the clutch will come free straight away, sometimes you need to brake a couple of times - in all but the worst cases the plate will free itself, signified by the normal operation of the clutch when the pedal is depressed.

Obviously do NOT try this unless you have a good long space in which to run the car, where you will not damage yourself, your car or any innocent bystanders/neighbours cat!

Tony

<font size="1">1981 2L FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 3.5L V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!</font id="size1">

[tr7inc]

Having read what you wrote Tony, it very well sounds like it could be a stuck clutch plate i think what i will do another day is have a go at starting in first gear with the brake on and see what happens, because i feel no difference in pressure with the clutch pedal at all, and all gears engage without any trouble whilst engine is off, when im next on my own i will give it a go, where we live in the sticks hardly ever see a passee by let alone a cat, so i will hav e a try & many thanks for a sound piece of advice.



Steve
1979 Pre Production Prototype Inca Yellow DHC

[Workshop Help]

Costs of repairs is a relative thing, philosophically speaking. If the clutch plate is stuck to the flywheel, the repair cost is but the adventure involved in Tony's description. It has been done on our car and the adrenalin rush is a real thrill the first time you do it.

Next in cost is the usual clutch slave cylinder overhaul. A repair kit and bottle of DOT4 brake fluid is very inexpensive. The only real trick to it all is honing out the cylinder bore , then polishing it to as close to a mirror finish as possible. This is the secret to a long slave cylinder service life. For those with a brass liner in the cylinder, achieving that mirror finish is quite easy with the old standby, 'Brasso'. Polishing out the stock iron bore takes a lot more effort and time as iron is harder than brass. Still, the smoother the finish, the better and longer the rubber seal in the cylinder will last without leakage. This is all mere handwork for we who are Mr/Ms Goodwrench. I do hope you are so named as well.

But, the big and bad costs come when the gearbox must be pulled to either fix the clutch mechanism between the flywheel and gearbox, or even worse, repairs to the gearbox itself. Woe unto ye who venture here.

Let's all hope you require naught but the sudden thrill of freeing a stuck clutch to flywheel so your money pot can be saved for other more mundane expenditures.

Mildred Hargis

[tr7inc]

Bingo, just tryed to start the car up in gear with my foot on the brake and hey presto it freed the clutch plate, thanks so much, i will remember that one in the future should it arise again.



Steve
1979 Pre Production Prototype Inca Yellow DHC

[TR Tony]

Good news, Steve. Another day older & wiser[:)]

Tony

<font size="1">1981 2L FHC Cavalry Blue
1980 3.5L V8 DHC Jaguar Regency Red - sadly sold!</font id="size1">

[tr7inc]

Very true Tony many thanks for youre time and help much appreaciated


Steve
1979 Pre Production Prototype Inca Yellow DHC