Clutch problem (mardi gras)
Clutch problem (mardi gras)
Author
Discussion

M12maniac

Original Poster:

120 posts

202 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
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Hi Guys

Fitted new Mardi Gras clutch to my M12 5-speed . On bleeding the clutch the slave cylinder has come out too far and popped, breaking the seal. Leaking fluid everywhere....

The cylinder is the same type of ford seal that was removd originally, however it's a brand new replacement.

My mechanic phoned Mardi Gras and they asked him to send the original clutch and the new clutch for comparison.....They engineered the new clutch from the old one! That makes sending the original impossible, and not filling me with confidence about them in general.

It appears that the clearance between the clutch pressure plate and the slave cylinder is too great....so either the clutch is giving a greater clearance than the cylinder can cope with, or I need a different slave cylinder. Everyone else , on my understanding, have used original ford slave cylinder with MD clutch.

I've obviously had to remove my engine and gearbox at huge time and monetary cost.....I've missed a whole summer of events and I'm pulling my hair out now.

Has anyone got any ideas, or experience of this situation?

Thanks as always.

daddysumo

2,545 posts

242 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
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On the 3 litre cars there is a cover which is pressed on over the original bearing which increases the overall diameter and also reduces the distance from the bearing to the pressure plate.

andygtt

8,345 posts

293 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
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the 5 speed is different to the 6 speed and so does not have a cover on the slave, its also a different slave but i don't remember it being able to be pushed all the way out? I thought it has a spring that holds it fully extended and the clutch pushes it back when bolted together?

my mardi grass 5 speed clutch used the std unmodified ford slave... if you can look back a pictures of the slave on here (tuxman posted up once) and compare yours

M12maniac

Original Poster:

120 posts

202 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
quotequote all
The original slave was sent off to Bernie, never to be returned. It was some weeks ago and I don't remember a cover???

jdearden

1,746 posts

206 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
quotequote all
the 5 speed is green the 6 speed isnt. also i had a new slave cylinder fail when bleeding it. apparently it can happen quite alot when first bleeding them but once bled seem to be fine.

mgbond

6,749 posts

261 months

Wednesday 31st August 2011
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Female version is 6 spd so doubt you have the wrong one fitted.

Bondy

M12maniac

Original Poster:

120 posts

202 months

Sunday 4th September 2011
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Cheers bondy.....must be the clutch, waiting on a reply from the main man at Helix.

TuxMan

9,011 posts

267 months

Sunday 4th September 2011
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Bit of a mystery as then normally upgrade your clutch cover !!! So it should be the same cover as the one you sent out !! Only the plate is new .

Have you done anything to the flywheel ?
Bit of a bugger all the same :-(

M12maniac

Original Poster:

120 posts

202 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
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Hi Si

The ongoing clutch saga continues....Terry Almond at Helix says that there are 2 types of slave for the 5 speed, one 5mm longer than the other. Although I just took the number off the original when I ordered the replacement. Terry is going to send the one I originally removed back to me....I need to get to the bottom of this....so frustrating.

He had the original when he engineered the clutch, so it doesn't seem to make sense that I now need a longer slave ??? Who knows....somebody needs to get sued tho! I've missed the summer ! :-(


TuxMan

9,011 posts

267 months

Thursday 8th September 2011
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Hi mate , well thats a new one !!!!! As far as I know it's a STD ford part , I did just as you and took mine in to Andrew Pages and picked one up !!! Never even measured it !!!! Pretty sure my old one is in my box of bits if you need me to measure it , will also ask Jetstream if they are aware of changes . Tux