Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all

I've delayed posting this as I feel like a bit of a numpty.
Bought the van in May 2023 with my son and it's been a bit of a headache.
I'm thinking I've bitten off more than I can chew as I am not mechanical!

Anyway, currently it's stationary as I can't change gear and I'd appreciate your thoughts on the local garage's diagnosis.
I took it out for a run in November, coasted up to the back of a jam on the A316 - and couldn't get it into gear when I tried to pull away. Depressing the clutch fully I just got a grinding sound, as if the clutch wasn't fully opening.
So I rolled backwards onto the hard shoulder (!) and the AA towed me to my local garage.

The local garage are very nice and pretty competent I think, but not really geared up for vintage motors.
They initially suggested I need a new clutch cable and a new clutch, but that seemed a bit drastic as I believe a clutch is pretty robust.
I've since pressed him and he's said it feels like the 'pressure plate' is broken. Is this possible / likely?

My naive instinct is that the cable or linkage has slipped/failed, so the clutch isn't being opened up properly.
Please excuse the layman's language!

With better weather on the way, I'd like to get it mobile and don't know whether to go with the locals or get it towed to a specialist.
With the local garage I've had to source the parts previously (just small stuff) so I'd like some more confidence that I know the problem before buying expensive replacement parts.

Van is 1981, petrol, 4-speed manual, based in SW London.
As far as I know, gearbox is original as I can't find any mention in the service history.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Sometimes the clutch shaft arms can fail at the welds, happened to a low mileage van i had in the late eighties. That had a hydraulic clutch but the shaft is the same.

Pretty sure only the 1600 (ct) versions had a cable clutch
Need more infor to be able to help

clutch fork is same whether cable or hydraulic
if you have 10-15mm of pull at the gearbox end of the cable then broken fork is definitely a possibility
Only way to find out is to remove the gearbox I'm afraid
it will then be clear if it's the fork or the release bearing, orclutch at fault
RJES make a very strong quality clutch fork here in the UK, its what I use to replace worn or broken ones, bushes are available from Brickwerks worth replacing both if doing the job

Mocki wrote: ↑01 Feb 2024, 16:18 Pretty sure only the 1600 (ct) versions had a cable clutch
Need more infor to be able to help

Thanks both.

@Mocki - what extra info would be helpful?
 

Thanks to all who replied.

I did in the end buy a clutch kit, which was not as dear as I feared, and the local garage fitted it.
This got the van mobile again, but they still suggested a new cable.
Got that but the local garage said it was the wrong sort, although I was sure it was correct.

Just recently found a good little outfit in West Malling Kent and they did several small jobs for me, including fitting the clutch cable (yes it was the correct part) and also the gearstick coupling. Better gear changing all round, more confident feel.

 

kagey wrote: ↑09 May 2025, 22:39 Thanks to all who replied
Just recently found a good little outfit in West Malling Kent and they did several small jobs for me, including fitting the clutch cable (yes it was the correct part) and also the gearstick coupling. Better gear changing all round, more confident feel.

 

What's the name of W Malling company? Is it the Morris Minor specialist place? I use to live in WM and found them very helpful fixing and MOT'ing my camper

It is Van Hux South