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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Clutch release bearings - update

Well who would have thought it. It must have been about five years since Lawrence Slater made / showed his 1275 roller release bearing on these pages.
I then made similar with a release bearing that has a certain ability to self align.(Picture 1)
Showing my version to Lawrence he suggested others might like to purchase my version and to date i.r.o 250 have: enthusiasts; garages; gearbox specialists; &c.
With input from another acquaintance the backplates are now laser cut and the spigots CNC: those parts coming together in a welding jig.

I then looked to what could be done for 1098. Initially I bored out the 1098 castings inserting a deep groove ball bearing with a bronze faceplate. Suitable castings had to be selected and then bored: some bored and lined before boring for the bearing - the dimensions are all 'over the place'.
I then progressed to a variation of my 1275 but considered it on the design limits. Series three was completely different but time consuming on the lathe so although there are some, of all three series, giving service, at home and abroad, I discontinued making any further.

That left the 948. Again I bored the original castings fitting a deep grooved ball bearing with a bronze faceplate. Funnily the castings with the roll pin, that gave so much trouble with the carbons failing, are amongst the best for conversion. I use this type, but not with a roll pin casting, in my 948 5spf Frogeye that uses a stock 6 spring clutch cover inside my homemade bell housing. Again I discontinued manufacture.
But 948's are now being served by Robin Human - a Davrian / Imp enthusiast. I have purchased, although not used, one of Robin's CRB's.
I rejected the first as the spigots were not to spec but he has reset his dimensions and replaced that and I have no fear of using the replacement should my own CRB ever fail (it probably has more miles left in it than I have years ). Robin's offering has a CNC steel body and Titanium faceplate (Picture 2).








Alan Anstead

The idea of doing a CRB this way is not new, I know someone that did a few about 35 years ago. Must drop him a line and see how he's doing.
David Billington

Well done Alan.
Nigel Atkins

Lawrence Slater - whatever happened to him? 🤔
Dave O'Neill 2

I think Alan deserves CDM for his CRB. 🙂. No matter who might have done similar before, these really work and are proving their worth.

For service to Spridgeteers----

anamnesis

Agreed Anam.
And maybe one for Lawrence as well as he had the original idea?
This is the type of product that MASC should consider having produced for its membership. Maybe it could commission some FWBs?
Jeremy MkIII

No need, the Meditech bearing kit still appears to be in stock with MGOC (GHK1142Q) though the vast, vast majority of owners still prefer to buy the cheaper sets.
Nigel Atkins

" though the vast, vast majority of owners still prefer to buy the cheaper sets."

Not so much of a problem now that they're not getting MoTs.
Dave O'Neill 2

I was picking up on Alan's point about the A35 club and engine mounts so was thinking if the Club ordered some from the original manufacturer (for its members) we could all benefit for a discount compared to MGOC prices?
Jeremy MkIII

Jeremy,
I think you need to refresh your memory about that situation, you might find some history and info in obscure threads somewhere if you look.

The (nearly) original manufacturer (name) company offers them at a multiple of the MGOC retail price so MASC would need very good negotiators.

Then it depends on how may members of MASC are prepared to stump up for the purchase of a production run and ultimately how many will actually buy these kits and if they don't immediately sell out stocking and storage costs and issues.

You are looking to do what's already been done but you think it can be done so that the retail cost is much lower, which may be possible (but not from the "original" company I'd guess) but for the effort, cost and risk I think most would be happy to accept the retail cost from MGOC or try their luck finding NOS.
Nigel Atkins

Well that's me put back in my box :)
Jeremy MkIII

Although Masc has public liability insurance if it got involved in the supply of parts it maybe that it would require a further insurance. It would be interesting to know how clubs, such as the A30/35 O.C. Who have parts manufactured and sell parts deal with that issue.
Alan Anstead

This thread was discussed between 01/10/2021 and 02/10/2021

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