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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Release Bearing Disintegrated

Last summer I replaced my Borg and Beck clutch because the release bearing went out. I replaced all the clutch components with another Borg and Beck.

So now, only a year later, I'm replacing only the release bearing because there are few miles on the plate and disk.

My question is how did this happen? Looks like the bearing just disintegrated in under 2000 miles!

Jon Saylor

1) crap repro quality, carbon is too soft so wear rate is unacceptable. Try to find NOS thrust bearing.
2) driver rides the clutch at lights and on hills rathert han use the handbrake, leading to premature wear.
3) fault with release mechanism is causing the thrust bearing to stay in contact with the thrust pad, leading to premature wear.
David Smith

I know it's not #2 and very unlikely #3 so I'm goiong with #1. What's a good NOS bearing?
Like I said above this clutch kit was Borg and Beck so I thought the quality would have been good. It make me wonder about the quality of the plate and disc!
Jon Saylor

a good NOS bearing? A QH (Quinton Hazell) one in an old box! Hunt them down on ebay.
David Smith

I recall discussion on these some years ago. I think the suspect ones at that time could be identified by having two small holes on diagonally opposite sides of the carrier, and through into the carbon ring. Good ones apparently don't have these holes, which act as stress risers in the carbon which then breaks up.
Guy W

I did find and bought a NOS QH on ebay.uk so while I'm waiting I think I'll redo the engine bay!

Jon Saylor

Jon

Instead of another carbon bush...look into a modern day bearing...I know peter may in the uk has a kit and I think winners circle aka (spridget.com) has a kit and you might be able to go to your local IBT bearing specialist and see if they can match you up

On the rivergate datsun conversion kit theybearing is changed to a modernday bearing and you simply cut the rubbing block off the pressure plate so the bearing rides on the fingers

The new bearing does have to be pressed into the fork but any shop with an arbor press can do it in a.few.seconds

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

http://www.petermayengineering.co.uk/specialistProducts.htm#5.6

Here you go Jon

Its not a bad price...im guessing around $100 with everything..customs, shipping, currancy conversion, ect

Its # 5.6 under trasmissions in there product catologe...if you want something really cool, look at there concentic release bearing...the release bearing is the slave clyinder..its the next one down from 5.6

Prop

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Another possibility is that the clutch release arm is bent( happened to me !) see pic

Malc

M J Chapman

This thread was discussed between 27/05/2013 and 29/05/2013

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