Ty_bach

When I rebuilt the car between 1986-1989, I had a young family and had to save money before buying the next lot of spares. Consequently, 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' attitude tended to prevail. So, the clutch friction plate and thrust bearing were probably the cheaper/cheapest I could get and the master & slave cylinders are untouched since 1966 - as far as I am aware. The pressure plate is probably 1966 too. Now I am very fortunate to have a few more pennies in the bank and my sons are no longer on my payroll, I can afford to do the job properly using better materials.

This is what I have been thinking, I will dismantle the slave cylinder to see if its worth using a repair kit or not. I've seen on fleabay Borg & Beck kits HK6943 which state (or suggest) they are suitable for my 1966 Herald 1200. It was suggested in an earlier post that to fit a diaphram pressure plate, i would need to change the flywheel - presumably for a 13/60 one? I don't particularly want to go to the lengths of swapping flywheels. Question is, will a HK6943 be a straight forward alternative, or not? Whilst the prop shaft is removed, I plan to grease the Hardy Spicer joints and replace the leaking diff input shaft oil seal.

Sorry! I should have re-read your last message before pressing send! Many thanks for your input. Martin

Thanks Mark. Should I replace the pressure plate at the same time? if so, Should I go for a diaphram clutch plate or stick with the coil spring type? I am sure I used a QH friction plate last time, so I will look out for a B&B this time. As i am planning more tours of Europe, including possibly the Alps, I think it would be best to replace the master & slave cylinders too. As these parts are 49 years old, I guess they might be getting a little tired. Martin

Many thanks for your interest. I have owned the car since 1986 and it was previously owned by my wife's grandfather who bought it new in 1966. After his demise, and between 1986 & 1989, I stripped the car down to the chassis and rebuilt it. At that time, I replaced the clutch plate and thrust bearing only. Since then the vehicle has 'only' done about 25,000 miles. The hydraulics are still '1966' factory fit except for the copper clutch fluid pipe fitted at the rebuild. DOT4 synthentic fluid used. So, am I right in thinking that (a) the clutch cover/pressure plate may be worn/tired/weakened? (b) the friction plate may be worn down - after 25,000 gentle miles? (c) the master and slave cylinders are past their best? I think I have noticed the excessive pedal travel in the last six months. I did a 1500 mile trip to southern France in May (car had never been abroad before) but no heavy mountaineering or excessive strain on the clutch from the usual use. Martin

The clutch on my Herald 1200 does not fully bite until the pedal is nearly at the top of its travel. Does it mean that the clutch plate is nearly worn out? I have checked the pedal free movement and linkages as per the workshop manual and all appears ok. Cheers