Clutch Operating Lever & Spring

Just trying to get off the clutch lever on the gearbox housing. Have removed circlip but the lever doesn't want to move, do I need to unhook the spring as well, seems hard to do...

 

I found it best to unhook the spring first (think I used a large screwdriver to do it). Once the loading of the spring was off the lever moved reasonably easily.

 

It's worse getting it back on!
There's a locking screw through it isn't there?

 

Thanks chaps, delatched the spring but still doesn't move, will try undoing the locking bolt but that appears to hold the bush bearing in place??

 

My memory's not as it was...
When I was born I was given the choice of a good memory or a big knob.
I can't remember which I chose.

 

I checked and you're right - prise it off.

 

Ok, so cant shift the lever off the shaft, any ideas? tried warming it up, will not budge..

 

Violence.

 

oh s**t

 

Without looking, I'd be carefully knocking a large flat bladed screwdriver into the gap with a lump hammer as a wedge to force it off.

 

Wonder if the splines need caressing with a needle file where they are exposed between the side of the lever and the end of the shaft. Would only need one to be misshapen for it to jam.
Excuse the question but you're not trying to remove the operating shaft so as to change the clutch release bearing are you?

 

Let us know how you get it off i gave up on mine after 30 mins of abuse

 

Thanks for the advice. I have tried levering every which way, the thing will not shift. I am trying to get it in bits to replace the return spring and the bush. I appreciate the release bearing does not need all this work.

I am scared if I get too violent with it, something will break that I don't want to.

One thing I have thought about is a new operating shaft, cut off the old one then I can get it to the vice to knock the old shaft off. Failing that I just don't bother replacing the spring and bush and hope that this wasn't the real reason for the clutch not working.

Any further advice gratefully received!

Cheers

 

The spring is to take up the slack in the cable and keep the release bearing away from the clutch, the springs in the clutch itself are what you press against and what give you drive. So the spring in the arm certainly has an effect you notice if it snaps, but I've not heard of a weak one causing a problem, it would have to be very tired. What's the problem with the clutch?

 

The problem was couldn't engage gears, I have replaced the clutch now (which was well worn) so just getting ready to get the engine back in, I don't think the spring was working but in me fiddling today, it seemed to work and have could tension, certainly the release bearing is knackered so I am ready to replace that. Just wanted to do all I could while its in bits so as not to have any worries in future. I would like to replace the bush also in the operating shaft. What do you think to cutting the shaft off and replacing? Any ideas if the shaft is hardened steel or just mild steel, thinking of hacksaw due to the position.

 

Why do you want to do this? If there's no slop in the shaft and the arm return spring's good...it's good. I'd leave it before something breaks.

Fit your new clutch and give it a go. Is your gear linkage ok?

 

I'm sure you've already checked but the arms crack off the the operating shaft occaisionally.
I'm with Snotty - it doesn't sound broken.
Without the engine connected you can operate the arm easily, with the engine installed and correctly adjusted you will be able to move it a tiny amount until the release bearing hits the clutch then a little more against the clutch spring.
In case you have a mish-mash of parts, if your clutch has lots of teeth-like springs your gearbox input shaft should have a guide tube around it for the release bearing.
If I suddenly couldn't get it in any gear I'd be looking at the clutch cable first, but I expect you already have.

 

I wanted to take mine apart to paint the bits lol
Im going to leave it all in situ and do some carefull masking i think

 

It's likey the cirlip has pushed up a burr on the side of it's slot/splines or doesn't it move at all?

 

I couldn't get the lever to move at all, it looks seized solid, looks like I am going to have to leave it and hope. It just would be so good to replace all I can while its accessable. Shame there isn't some sort of a tool that latches around the back of the arm and screws down on the shaft to push it out...I might try a file on the edge just to see if the circlip has caused a burr, could be just 33 years of the shaft and lever being together.

This is really bugging me, such a simple thing.