Vitesse clutch-gearbox
Discussion
My wife and I have recently purchased a Mk1 Vitesse Convertible and it has only covered 52K miles. One niggling problem is that it occassionally jams in first or reverse and I have to wrench the stick to get it to release. Also difficult to engage 1st/Reverse without graunching. Clutch bled several times but problem still exists. Any ideas? 99% of the time everything works fine and every so often it gives this problem.
I have a mk1 vitesse, and the gearbox can be very difficult. My mot tester said why did you buy a car with "chocolate syncro's". But aside frome that. if the clucth is not clearing/ releasing, check the clevis pin on the pedal master cylinder. changing the oil in the gearbox helped mine a lot. I see you are in hampshire, I am in fleet if you are near and want to pop over for some diagnosis help, pm me.
Welcome to the club. 
I also have a MK1 Vitesse with 56K miles. My gearbox is not difficult at all. I would replace both cylinders with new ones, I`ve fitted seal kits to what looked perfectly OK cylinders and they didn`t last 5 minutes. Careful bleeding is also required.
Remember the clutch does the same thing regardless of what gear you select so if this is at fault you should get similar problems in all gears. A gearbox rebuild is not the end of the world as it`s not exactly the most complicated piece of kit.
Is the nylon bush at the base of the gearlever OK, they can and do fall apart. Cheap and easy fix.
This is the problem you don`t want: Triumph 6 pot engines suffer from problems with crankshaft end float caused by thrust washers wearing/falling out. Check this by having someone depress the clutch while you watch the crank pulley. It should not move forward more than a gnats cock.
I also have a MK1 Vitesse with 56K miles. My gearbox is not difficult at all. I would replace both cylinders with new ones, I`ve fitted seal kits to what looked perfectly OK cylinders and they didn`t last 5 minutes. Careful bleeding is also required.
Remember the clutch does the same thing regardless of what gear you select so if this is at fault you should get similar problems in all gears. A gearbox rebuild is not the end of the world as it`s not exactly the most complicated piece of kit.
Is the nylon bush at the base of the gearlever OK, they can and do fall apart. Cheap and easy fix.
This is the problem you don`t want: Triumph 6 pot engines suffer from problems with crankshaft end float caused by thrust washers wearing/falling out. Check this by having someone depress the clutch while you watch the crank pulley. It should not move forward more than a gnats cock.
I will be visiting the basingstoke show, not showing a car. Are you showing the vitesse? if so what colour and year is it? I will keep an eye out for it and say hello if you are there.
Steve Rowe said:
Thanks for suggestions - I'll have a look at clevis pin and change the oil and see what difference that makes. Will let you know. Am at Basingstoke on Sunday for the Basing. Festival of Transport and hope the sun is going to come out and play.
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