Clutch warning

[zigzagsky]

Thought the following might save somebody from a lot of additional work if they have yet to fit or purchase the clutch kit for a Series 2 4.2...

So after months of being off the road following a gearbox failure I got my girl back on the road a few weeks back.

35 miles later she's back in bits with the engine & gearbox dropped again due to the fact that the brand new I installed clutch failed.

What seems to have happened is that the bearing face that is press fitted on to the cover plate became detached and in the process ruined the release bearing.

Couldn't work out why? Had I unknowingly allowed the full weight of the gearbox to rest on the bearing via the input shaft when trying to marry engine & gearbox? Had I somehow not adjusted the clutch properly causing the release bearing to be pressed against the clutch cover all the time?

Whilst the gearbox and engine was split I ended up speaking to an engineering company locally who have done some XK engine rebuilds about another matter. Surprisingly they said that they had several clutches of the same brand (AP) with the self same problem.

Looks like a bad batch from around 18 months ago.

Warning signs are a light 'tinkling sound' as the bearing detaches and starts to move around without the pedal pressed.

I have since bought a Borg & Beck clutch!

[malcolm]

How's it going Brian? Remember to give me a ring if you need a hand. Good luck!

[zigzagsky]

Hi Malcolm,

I've sent you a PM - that way this thread will stay on track and not get diverted...