QuestionI've been getting crunching when shifting into reverse. I read one of your previous articles on the subject matter: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Triumph-Repair-1459/2009/9/1979-TRIUMPH-TR7-CLUTCH-2....
So far, I've replaced the master and slave cylinder and bled the system. At first, everything shifted fine, even when warm. But today it was giving me the same problems again. Won't shift into reverse and hard to shift into any other gear. I did the test that was included in the your previous article on the subject matter, but I still get a crunch in reverse no matter what. Even after the the shift into 4th I should also add that the pedal feels a bit looser that it used too. Should I try bleeding the system again?
Thanks in advance.
AnswerHi Michael,
The rough preliminary test of the hydraulic system is to use your hand to push the pedal down. The first inch should be free play then the pedal should feel hard to push and feel the same all the way to the floor.
Another test is to put the car in neutral and at a low idle (under 900 RPM) and let it idle for a minute or two and then put the clutch pedal on the floor and hold it there for 5 to 10 seconds and then try to put it in reverse.
Then do the thing you already did by putting it in a gear (not reverse) then while the clutch is still on the floor shift very quickly into reverse.
If you get gear clash in the above two, you for sure have a release system problem and if the first test shows that the pedal is first soft and gets harder as the pedal gets closer to the floor then you have air in the system. (which sometimes is difficult to bleed out)
A good method to get all of the air out is to remove the slave cylinder with the line attached and confirm that the reservoir is only about half full. (remove some if necessary)then just force the slave piston all the way into the slave cylinder. This forces all the fluid into the master cylinder reservoir (and any air in the system) Then replace the slave cylinder being careful to get the push rod in the correct position. Also be sure to have the bleeder valve on top. No bleeding is necessary on this operation. After the slave cylinder is bolted up push the pedal down slowly and let it up even more slowly. Push it down one more time and at that point it should feel hard as noted above.
A dragging clutch can be caused by other things than the hydraulic system. A warped disk can cause a damaged pressure plate can cause it and even a bad pilot bearing can cause it.
From what you say, it sounds like you have air in the system and keep in mind that air can ONLY enter a hydraulic system through the master cylinder.
Howard
Howard
