Triumph Repair: Clutch Problem, triumph sptifire, clutch problems

Question
Hi Howard I have a triumph sptifire 1500 MkIV which is having clutch problems. It's got new master and slave cylinder though I'm not certain what the problem is. When you try and engage it to gear it graters, though if you pump the clutch pedal several times you can get 3 quarters of a clutch. If i put the easy bleed on it then its a full clutch and the pedal is right at the top, though remove this and it's back to half a pedal. I have bled it several times both manually and with the easy bleed but still the same. There doesnt appear to be any leaks on the hydraulic system. Could you suggest anything? Many thanks Mick

Answer
Hi Mick,
The Spitfire is a difficult car to get a good clutch pedal on for several reasons. It is difficult anyway to bleed a clutch because of the large line. When you bleed you pump up the pedal and hold it down and if a bubble of air is in the line you only have moved it down part way. You close the bleeder valve and release the pedal and the bubble rises up the line again where it was. If the line was as small as a brake line the bubble would stay where it is so the next bleed would carry it further down.

When I have a difficult one I remove the slave cylinder from the bell housing leaving the line attached and take about half of the fluid out of the reservoir and leave the cap loose. Force the slave cylinder piston in all the way as fast and as hard as you can and you will see that the fluid fills the reservoir. Now replace the slave cylinder in the bell housing (being sure the rod is in the correct position) and now push the pedal down all the way to the floor (which will be so easy because you will not feel any resistance) but you MUST let the pedal up very slowly and pus it down again slowly and let it up slowly. (keep an eye on the fluid in the reservoir and keep it topped up. Soon you should feel resistance and you should get a full pedal. (make sure there is no added carpet as the clutch when it was new was barely enough pedal.)

That is called revere bleeding meaning you used the slave as a master and pushed the fluid into the reservoir and any air in the line with it. Always work with the cap loose and don't forget to tighten it when you are finished.

If that don't correct the problem you have some other problem then air in the system.
Howard