Triumph Repair: Hard to put in reverse and first gear, clutch hydraulics, mechanical linkage

Question
1976 spitfire (original owner) for the last 15-20 years the car has problems shifting into 1st or reverse from a stop if the rpm's are a bit higher than a slow idle.  If you turn off the car and put it in reverse and then start the car with the clutch in it will want to move backwards, if you use the brake it will not die and you can manage.  It will do the same in first gear.  I remember putting in a new slave and master cylinder to try and fix this problem but it did not make any difference.  I drive the car so seldom that I did not let it bother me, but I was thinking about trying to fix it.  It shifts fine once you get going (up and down) and to get it into first at a stop sign if you put it in second first it will slip into first.  We will try the 2 x 4 on the clutch thing to see if that may help, any other ideas on what it could be?
thanks

Answer
Cathy,

It definitely sounds like the clutch disc is not disengaging completely.  

And yes, the clutch hydraulics are the usual cause.  There is an adjustment on the slave cylinder in that the hydraulic unit can be pushed further towards the bell housing.

If it's not the actual hydraulics then it could be wear in the mechanical linkage (clutch pedal bushing, throwout arm bushing) or a worn/damaged pressure plate.

Try the 2x4 trick... but if that doesn't work then be prepared for some more involved diagnosis and repair work.


Cheers,

Jim