For my clutch to be operating properly, I need to have the return stop bolt out a fair bit. But because it's out a fair bit, the bolt doesnt 'grab' into the hole all that well and means it may rattle out if I'm travelling along and step on the clutch. When my foot is off the clutch, the clutch arm forced by the return spring keeps it in place. I thought of just getting a bolt that is 1/4" longer or so, but I can't seem to find one which has that fine thread. Any ideas?

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Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/

Hey,

the truth is if you have to adjust that bolt out more than a comfortable distance from the clutch housing to engage the clutch then you have other problems that you probably need to look into.

Do this: buy all the clevis pins for the clutch arm and replace them. There should be 2, a big one at the bottom and a smaller one at the top near the return spring plate. They are both held by split pins. When you take this out, remove the actuator arm and check the ball at the bottom. If it is worn, broken or bent then replace the arm for around $25.

If those gudgeon pins are warn by a mere 1mm, this equates to roughly 4mm of clutch travel loss (something like that). Anyway, when you place these then you should not have to undo the clutch arm return bolt thingy too far and the clutch pedal will angage much higher than it probably is now. By replacing all these things my clutch went from engaging on the floor to engaging in the first 2-3cm. Worth it for under $30!

good luck!

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

P.S. if you do all these things and it is still engaging on the floor, time for a clutch service

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

one of two things is happerning the clutch plate is nearing the end of it's usefull life OR the thing the arm sit's in is elongating out so these are the reasons you need to adjust this arm out
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

Oh one more thing, replace the clutch pedal gudgeon pin as well while your at it. This also helps the clutch pedal action play alot less and engage much easier.

Last time i checked the gudgeon pins were around $2 for all 3, and split pins are dime a 2 dozen

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Lillee - 1969 Morris Mini K

Thanks for the help everyone, but I know what the problem is (after taking the clutch arm off, I could see the it). The thread inside the hole on the clutch cover plate for the clutch adjustment bolt has worn down just inside the cover plate. This means that when the bolt is too far out, though normally ok, can't grab. It is then loose and could fall out. SOLUTION: get a bolt that is 1/4" longer, or, replace the clutch cover plate... I'll try to find the bolt first... Though finding one with that fine thread will be annoying, if not impossible.

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Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/

it's just 1/4" UNF.... any bolt shop will have heaps, doing a longer bolt might sort you out initially but I agree with the other guys, investigate the other issues

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

Your not listing are you dude!?

***shakes head*** - you can lead a horse to water......

Who? Me? Am I not listening? Or did you mean WhoDat?

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Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/

I just talked to the bloke at Minicraft (here in W.A.) and he said just to tap it out and put a bigger bolt in.

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Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/

You can only see the symptom - bolt falls out - so you are coming up with a solution that only treats that - get a longer bolt

You are missing the point - the cause of you problem is not the inadiquate length of the bolt - that is how they were all supplied, so they must have been adiquate when originally shipped, and for the interviening 40 odd years... You have been advised above what are the 2 possible causes of the symptoms you are observing...

Either clutch is nearing end of useful life - solution replace worn clutch

Or the pivot mechanism at the base of the arm is worn - solution replace worn parts there.

I don't think the bolt has "shunk" - so it is illogical to assume the bolt is the "cause" of your prob.

Treat the real cause man

The cause of the problem was over tightening on the lock nut on the clutch return bolt. The extra force, acting upon a small amount of old, worn thread inside the hole, has resulted in it breaking away (just at the end). So when the bolt is in the right position, there isn't enough thread left to hold onto the bolt, hence it is loose. That, and the end of the bolt itself is rubbed a little rounder than normal (due to its age).

I took apart the clutch arm etc. and the base is not worn and the clutch was replaced not so long ago. All pins are tight and straight as can be, and all interlocking bits and pieces are fine.

I know the bolt hasn't "shrunk" dude... LOL

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Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/

if as you say the clutch plate was replaced recently i would investigate further as when a new plate gets put in the bolt should be right in
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

OK If the internal thread is completely stipped out over the majority of it's lenght then the advice given ie "and he said just to tap it out and put a bigger bolt in." meaning to drill out the hole and Tap [cut a new thread into] the hole and then fit a Fatter bolt [note not longer] would be valid.

If we are talking only a couple of turns of the thread missing near the external opening of the bolt hole, then you got a clutch arm that is at the very end of it's adjustment and something is not right. If the clevis pins are fine, then perhaps the relatively new clutch is in fact worn out - poor quality cheepie perhaps, or another possibility, the arm itself is bent?

Good luck either way

I have to take my mini to Minicraft soon anyway, so I'll get the mechanic to check it out. Maybe the clutch plate is worn... [Sigh] Some days I just love my car. The other days, however... I suppose that's just a mini hey. Ha ha. Apologies to all if I came across the wrong way. I appreciate all the help I can get.

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Jonathan
http://photobucket.com/albums/y64/FatMaserati/