Ive had my 1978 mini clubman for about a year and a half now. Its recently been runnin into a few problems, including two breakdowns. Just when i think ive got everything fixed, the clutch has completely screwed up.
Unable to engage gears with the clutch, i have had to drive home without it, starting the car in gear and forcing my way through the gears without the clutch (harder then you think in a mini).
I am probably going to get it fixed at garys auto centre. But this isnt the first clutch problem ive had:
*In december last year i had to get the master cylindor and clutch flex hose replaced.
*In may this year it was bled and adjusted again.
*Now this.

Just with my experience with minis, the clutch has been the re-ocurring problem.

Any advice on getting this fixed up for good???

Cheers Will

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Club Man

Will

Go to a mini specialist and get an accurate diagnosis of the problems rather than let someone learn on your car.

There is a mini specialist in Islington and although I dont know them personally, I havn't heard bad things about them.

Get it tilt trayed there though. Crunching through the gears without a clutch is a very good way to wreck a gearbox. The gearbox is fairly strong but it wont take abuse and if it breaks you are suddenly looking at fairly big money.

Will, please take my advice
Mike

Will...you have a 30 year old car...fixing up only the master cylinder and a flexihose is not a total restoration....the only way to achieve bullet-proof reliability in an old car is to go through everything and make sure it is right

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"Show me the Mini!"

Will, start by looking for the easy and obvious problems first, check for hydraulic leaks
in and around the m/c - s/c and around the pedals from inside the car, clutch adjustment,
and then if you don't have any luck or get stuck as Mike said give the guys at Newcastle
Mini Wreckers a call they should be able to help you out.

can you select the gears when the car is not moving? if so id have a look at your slave cylinder

thanks for the advice.
Yes, I have fixed several things with the blokes at the mini dismantlers in Newcastle. I live out of town though and would have to look into getting towed there, (as yes, I only want to drive it as minimally as possible, to avoid damage to the gearbox).
I had it checked out by a garage mechanic, but he didn't want to do it, and suggested taking it to someone up for tinkering with a 78' mini clutch.
I will look into taking it to the Newy mini dismantlers.

As the car is in the garage at home now, and I am an NRMA member, would they still tow it for free?if so how far is it these days?50kms?

Will

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Club Man

What area are you in Will. I may be able to come and have a look at it with you.

Dicko.

Im in paterson near Maitland. Ah might be a bit far out, thanks anyway. Ive actually booked in at raymond terrace garys auto. A bloke there used to work on minis a fair bit and its much easier to get to, NRMA will tow from my place for free.

will be 3rd time ive been towed by nrma in the last couple of months!

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Club Man

No worries Will hope all goes well.

Dicko

Got the mini back from the terrace today, All Is Good now.
The thrust bearing on the clutch had ceased which was the main problem.
The car is driving well and i washed and polished it when i got home.

Hopefully its got rid of its bad luck for a good while now.

cheers anyway.

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Club Man

Great to hear it.

Cheers

Dicko