This week on the blog we're letting you know about some quick checks you can perform on your Mini to check your clutch is performing as it should be!
Before you begin, you need to know if the clutch in your Mini is pre-verto or verto...
If you have a short clutch arm, around 3 or 4", then you have a verto clutch, whereas if your clutch arm is longer, around 6", then you have a pre-verto clutch. You can also look at how your clutch slave cylinder is sitting, if it's mounted horizontally you have a pre-verto clutch, whereas if it tips downwards your Mini has a verto clutch.
Inside your Mini
You may find these points easier to check if you remove your seat beforehand...
Starting on the inside of your Mini, it's time to check your Clutch Pedal:
- Is the Pedal moving okay? A drop of oil or lubrication may help.
- Check the grip, you don't want your foot to slip off when driving!
- Does the Pedal Pad need replacing?
- Check the Bush & Shaft - are they wearing?
- Is the Pedal Arm moist and/or is there a stain where your Pedal hits the carpet? If so, your Clutch Master Cylinder might be leaking!
- Has your Clutch fluid been going down?
- Check the Forked Clutch Master Cylinder Rod for wear, does it need replacing?
- Check the Clevis Pin for wear, does it need replacing?
Inside the Engine Bay
Check your fluid level - low fluid levels can be an indicator of a leak- Check the Master Cylinder for leaking.
- Check the Clutch Hose for leaking.
- Check the Clutch Release Bearing for wear.
- Move back the dust cover on the Slave Cylinder, if it's wet then your Slave Cylinder is leaking. It needs repairing or replacing, if you do replace it we would advise replacing the Hose at the same time.
- Check the Spring that is on the Clutch Slave Cylinder, if it's worn through the attachment points could break. Replace if necessary!
- Check all wear points - end of the Rod & the hole in the Rod, both Clevis Pins, the holes in the Clutch Arm & the ball on the bottom of the Clutch Arm, along with the hole in the Plunger.
- Check that no nuts have worked their way loose (or even worse, they're missing!)
Ask for Help - someone to press the Clutch Pedal
- Ask your helper to press the Pedal down and hold it, so you can check the speed of the Clutch Arm movement.
- It should move quickly, if it moves slow there could be a problem with the Cylinder Hose. It may need replacing or bleeding.
- Whilst the engine is running, press down the Pedal again - if you hear a whiny noise that stops when you lift off the Pedal, there is likely an issue with your Mini's Clutch Release.
We hope that this blog can give you a little advice on checking the Clutch in your Mini, don't forget - our team is available 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday to assist you with any questions you may have – or assistance you may need, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!