Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Clutch

I have started to get some noise from the transmission when the clutch pedal is up but not when depressed. The release bearing / slave cylinder ( made by Volvo ) seem ok but I suspect that the clutch has a spigot bearing which, if worn, would give the same symptoms. Anybody know what make it is? Mine is in an all solid machined housing - an impressive looking bit of kit but has no markings. It would be nice to have some spares handy before I take it apart and I can guess what will happen if I ask my trusty Morgan dealer.

Phil,

Sorry to hear of your noise.

The trans pilot bearing, at least that's what they're called on this side of the pond, is a grease packed needle bearing if memory serves me correctly.

So what you're saying is that when the clutch is engaged, peddle not pushed, that you hear this noise? Are you in neutral when this happens or in one of the gears?

If the clutch is engaged, the trans input shaft (possibly what you're calling the spigot bearing) would all be locked together and nothing would be stopped relative to the other parts. The trans pilot, spigot bearing, would only be spinning against the trans input shaft if the clutch were disengaged.

But with your "other" mods to the Centa drive and your front mounted pilot bushing, are you sure the noise isn't coming from that area?

This kind of a noise is hard to diagnose over the forum...

Good luck and let us know what you find. But regardless, it sounds like another motor out inspection, sorry to say.

Thanks Dan, engine came out this morning and all of my mods including the front bearing are in A1condition, even I am surprised how little wear shows up. The original Centa rollers create a lot of dust and I have heard of one machine with them ripped to shreds so I am well pleased with my result.
My noise occurs at standstill, in neutral with clutch fully engaged, as I depress the pedal to about half way all becomes quiet, just like a worn thrust bearing but seems to take a bit more pressure and pedal travel than needed to quieten a thrust release bearing. I will have a closer look at the needle rollers in a minute. I see what you are saying about it all rolling as one when the clutch is engaged so maybe that is not where it is coming from. I'll keep you posted. Would still like to know who makes that clutch.

Hi again Dan,
The needle rollers look to be ok and still well lubricated, no obvious wear on the gearbox shaft, thrust race removed and sounds good. Slight noise from the main clutch / Centa shaft bearings but can feel no play or roughness. All of which tells me there is no imminent failure to worry about so I guess I'll just live with it for a bit longer. I will try my local mechanics to see if they can identify the clutch manufacturer, I can't believe it is Morgan's own.

Mine does the same thing, and has less than 400 miles on it

Are you able to get a YouTube clip up of the noise. Just for those who might be more skilled in audio diagnostic.

Nearly 11000 miles on the clock and it has only started recently Draggin.
Let's wait and see how it is when the engine goes back in and if it is still noisy I'll do the video thing.

Having read some of the comments on the various Mazda MX5 forums I think the noise comes from the gearbox output shaft which, of course, spins at engine speed with the clutch engaged but probably stops when it is disengaged. This would explain the noise only abating when the clutch pedal is over halfway depressed and all friction plate drag eliminated. Anyway, the Mazda enthusiasts seem to regard it as nothing to worry about so I'll live with it - c'est la vie!

Stumbled across this on youtube. Just wondering if it's what you're hearing.

Well stumbled GTG. That is exactly the noise I am hearing but maybe not quite so loud. Depends on where he was holding the Mic I suppose. Not sure what to do about it but as I have the engine back in now I guess I will let it develop a bit.