New Member - Essex, UK

[lotusfanatic]

Hello spike_tt,

 

Mark

[Steve_Lindford]

What is the difference with a new clutch pressure plate and driven plate?? - just not worn out??

Steve

[jbcollier]

All the surfaces in a clutch system wear: flywheel face, pressure plate face, friction disc, pressure plate pivots and spring mounts.  Diaphragm and coil springs fatigue.  In some systems, splines can wear as well.  I like to: change the pilot bearing/bushing, reface the flywheel, very lightly lube the splines, repair/lube release mech, and fit new disc, pressure plate and release bearing.

Clutches can also be rebuilt though this is more common in HD truck applications.  A rebuilder will check the splines, replace the friction material, test/replace torsion springs in the drive plate, and,  resurface the pressure plate, rebuild the pressure plate's springs/diaphragm as required.

 I have fit 100s of new clutches in my 35 years pulling wrenches and I have had one or two "bad" new clutches -- usually dragging due to warped spring mech or plate.  I have also fit maybe 10 or so "rebuilt" clutches.  They, unfortunately, had a much higher failure rate with two or three of them being duds.

YMMV

[4129R]

The fingers on my pressure plate wore badly.

Before replacement gearchange was virtually impossible. After changing it gearchange was normal.

[spike_tt]

Addressing the first job on my recent acquisition.

The car has no brake action at all.  Recent checklist from PO indicated "Brake Servo?"

So I decided to get the servo refurbished.  I was wondering... how will I tell whether the servo is really leaking brake fluid?  Maybe the problem is somewhere else?

Well, here's the servo after I removed it.  I think that's quite conclusive.

I see many people just remove the servo.  I think I'll get this one refurbished, I can always remove it at a later date if I decide that's a better solution.

I must ask though, if you've removed your servo, when the insurance company ask if the vehicle has been modified in anyway, what do you reply?

[4129R]

I bought replacement servos, rather than repair the very old original ones.

They cost me about £70ish.

Not worth risking an argument with the insurers. Every original photo of a Europa engine compartment will show 1 or 2 servos.

[jbcollier]

Servos were optional in the UK/rest-of-world but OEM in later US bound Europas.

If you fit aftermarket brakes I think it behooves you to let your insurer know.  Fitting a variation on the stock system is a different matter.  Are you going to let your insurer know if you fit EBC Greenstuff pads?  Grooved discs?  Of course not, this is just regular servicing.  As the servo was optional, it’s not a significant change if it is now not there as the brake system can still said to be “stock”.

[spike_tt]

4129R, may I ask what new servos you bought?

Mine has clearly been refurbished at least once already so it's not a permanent solution.

[4129R]

The boxes are marked SEN43/LE72696.

I am fairly sure they came from a classic MGB supply company.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383217986237?hash=item5939926abd:g:Y30AAMXQMXRQ8EXB

At £69.95, I was only 5p out !!!

I had to modify the existing mounting bracket by flattening it in a vice, drilling new holes and bending, but otherwise it is a straight fit, with the same pipe connections.
.

[spike_tt]

Thanks for that heads-up.  Refurb of the Girling unit costs about £300 !

[SilverBeast]

If it gets to that point for me, I'll just bypass the servo (link the brake lines) and try the pedal.  It may need a replacement master cylinder if you feel pedal pressures are too high anyway.

If you take it for an MOT without the servo fitted (I know we don't need to any more) and it passes, and you let the insurance company know you "removed the optional servo" and that it has since passed the MOT I dont see how they can argue that it's not road legal/safe.  If you don't tell them and make a claim they might (probably would) be difficult if you haven't told them. If you have an agreed value policy then they may have engine bay pictures with the servo fitted too.

[4129R]

For £70 to replace with new, I cannot see the problem.

[SilverBeast]

I see the listing says it needs to be mounted at an angle "like the original" - on an MGB I assume. Do the instructions say what angle it needs to be mounted at? Do you know if the assistance factor (1.65?) is similar to the original.

[EuropaTC]

I see the listing says it needs to be mounted at an angle "like the original" - on an MGB I assume. Do the instructions say what angle it needs to be mounted at? Do you know if the assistance factor (1.65?) is similar to the original.

I picked up this instruction sheet which gives cross references & assistance ratios. It also has an application list which might help in sorting out which one you get.   The original is too big for a forum attachment so I've split it into 2 files, the first is fitting & the second is applications.


When I had a servo I replaced with an MGB one and I'd guess it was a higher ratio than the OEM Girling. No problems at MoT time but I suppose it was easier to lock up in the wet in a panic stop ?

Brian

[4129R]

Those installation instructions show the mysterious "P" metal bracket someone had left over after assembling their car.