The ultimate test
of a perfect Clutch in such Cars is that it should have a 'two-way' feel
when gently depressed - preferably with the engine off. It's difficult
to explain but I'll try:
a) The first part of the 'pedal-travel' requires lesser effort, than -
b) The second part where you feel as if you are going over a speed breaker
by way of pedal effort.
In > 50% of M800/Siblings
Clutch overhauls that I have personally supervised using so called all
the four genuine MGPs, the above two-way 'feel' has been missing ! I cannot
explain it for reasons other than a faulty Pressure Plate or Cover Assy,
as it’s also known as.
‘Under’
adjustment of the ‘free-travel’ can lead to difficulties in
engaging gears – particularly the 1st and the Reverse. On the other
hand, ‘over’ adjustment can lead to premature wearing off
of the Release Bearing – if not its other 3-main constituents behind
it.
Summing-up
Whereas one would
expect a Car’s Clutch to last as long as it’s engine, but
given our traffic conditions where one is changing gears several times
within a km, besides ones driving habits, a Clutch may last from as little
as 5 kkm to as much as, say, ~ 85 kkm. One can get max life out of one’s
Clutch by following the simple do’s and don’t as below :
i) Always take off
in the I-Gear and that too with engine revved up just enough to prevent
it from stalling. Revving up over and above this will simply eat into
the life of ones’ Clutch. Habitually taking off in II gear causes
avoidable slipping/premature wearing off of the Clutch Assy.
ii) Keep gear shifting
to a minimum must. For example, if you were forced into III gear and see
a red-traffic light ahead, there’s no point in accelerating/getting
into IV gear and then coming to a halt immediately thereafter. It’s
better under such a situation to just cruise along in III gear and come
to the inevitable stop.
iii) Move your left
foot to the Clutch ONLY when needed to shift gears or nearing a dead stop.
The Clutch Pedal is NOT a footrest for the idle
foot !
iv) DO NOT keep the
Clutch pedal depressed for extended periods such as while waiting at traffic
lights – thus avoiding unnecessary wear on the CRB and over-stressing
the Pressure Plate spring-diaphragm.
v) NEVER use the Clutch
as substitute for downshifting the gears when needed, or holding the car
stationary at an incline. Instead, shift to the lower gear or neutral
and engage the parking brake – as the case may be.
Armed with the principal
knowledge of how a Clutch works plus how to use it correctly, there’s
little or no reason why one can’t get max possible life and ‘judder-less’
pleasure out of it.
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