Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Replacing clutch thrust bearing on a 57 plus 4

The trust bearing on my 57 screeches a bit, probably need to replace, I assume to box has to come out? thanks, Bill

Either engine or box. If you can get the box out it might be a bit less hassle than lifting the engine.

If, as I suspect, it's a Moss box, you'll probably need to lift the engine.

Graham is right I think about the box unless it's been altered, here's a helpful link which shows the clutch setup and deals with potential wear points and improvements.

http://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/plus4clutch.html

Don't know about the availability of parts and would appreciate some feedback if you go ahead

Thanks, particularly useful is the link. It is a moss box. Not delved into it yet so do not fully understand set up. What prevents the gearbox being removed followed by the bell housing?

Thanks, Bill

The gearbox is remotely mounted from the engine (at least it is in the very early (Moss box) +8. I'm assuming the same for the +4, so it may be quicker / easier just to lift the engine?

Since the thrust bearing (throw-out bearing)comes out the front of the bell housing and the bell housing can't come out through the interior of the car, you need to pull the engine to replace the biscuit (thrust block) on the front end of the sliding sleeve. No other way to do it. You need to disconnect the drive shaft and remove the transmission from inside the car. You need then to remove the screws that secure the center panel on the firewall and remove the panel to allow the bell-housing to move to the rear after unbolting it from the engine. The engine can then be hoisted up and out. Lots of things to disconnect and put back but pretty straight forward. The thrust block is installed by heating the sliding sleeve so that it expands to release the old thrust and receive the new one.The bell housing may be worn out of round where the sliding sleeve moves back and forth due to asymmetrical thrust from the pedal linkage. If it has excessive wear you may want to have the bell-housing sleeved and possibly replace the sliding piston too.

Thanks all, now I understand! The reason I am considering this action is because the thrust screams a bit now and then and also the clutch pedal only release the clutch at the bottom of its movement - not necessarily related but maybe?

Is there anything I should consider first re thrust noise before taking action above, thanks, Bill

You could take up the slack in the clutch pedal with the adjustment under the car on the bottom of the bell-housing but that will not alleviate the noise. while the engine is out, replace the clutch.

My 1954 DHC started to scream around 15,000 miles ago, and gradually lost all the adjustment on the clutch pedal. At this moment it is being attended to, new thrust and pressure plate.