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Jan 31, 2010 11:02 am
Jan 31, 2010 11:02 am
Subject: Re: Clutch driving pin greaser?
I would like to say a bit more about this - hope it will be of use to you. I had to deal with this problem about a year ago when I restored my clutch and also had to put in new pins as two had broken off.
I did actually make a device which screws into the pin and has a grease nipple at the other end (you're welcome to have it John!) It works fine but grease, as I found out, is not the right lubricant for these pins. When I used it the clutch got semi-stuck and started to "lag behind". Very unpleasent when you drive. I then used the "motorcycle chain lube" as described above; somebody had told that it is fluid when you squirt it into the pin and then becomes more grease-like. However, although very practical, it made the clutch stick completely. It took me half a day to get it all out and clean again. From my experience I can say that I find the best way to lubricate the clutch is to press the nozzle of an oil can against the hole in the pins and squirt in a bit of regular engine oil. It doesn't matter if some oil leaks on the clutch lining -that is rubbed off the first time you use it and you don't even notice it. Also it is not necessary to do it often. I have just completed a 1000+ Mile tour of the Dordogne with my car and never looked at the clutch. However, IF the clutch should stick it is easy to use a spray can of WD40 which will free it immediately. It would be best to put in some engine oil right after that but it is not even necessary. It happened to me last summer on a very hot day (and I hadn't oiled the pins for a long time!) and I just used the WD40 which only took me a few minutes and enabled me to finish the trip (about 50 miles) without problems.
I would like to say a bit more about this - hope it will be of use to you. I had to deal with this problem about a year ago when I restored my clutch and also had to put in new pins as two had broken off.
I did actually make a device which screws into the pin and has a grease nipple at the other end (you're welcome to have it John!) It works fine but grease, as I found out, is not the right lubricant for these pins. When I used it the clutch got semi-stuck and started to "lag behind". Very unpleasent when you drive. I then used the "motorcycle chain lube" as described above; somebody had told that it is fluid when you squirt it into the pin and then becomes more grease-like. However, although very practical, it made the clutch stick completely. It took me half a day to get it all out and clean again. From my experience I can say that I find the best way to lubricate the clutch is to press the nozzle of an oil can against the hole in the pins and squirt in a bit of regular engine oil. It doesn't matter if some oil leaks on the clutch lining -that is rubbed off the first time you use it and you don't even notice it. Also it is not necessary to do it often. I have just completed a 1000+ Mile tour of the Dordogne with my car and never looked at the clutch. However, IF the clutch should stick it is easy to use a spray can of WD40 which will free it immediately. It would be best to put in some engine oil right after that but it is not even necessary. It happened to me last summer on a very hot day (and I hadn't oiled the pins for a long time!) and I just used the WD40 which only took me a few minutes and enabled me to finish the trip (about 50 miles) without problems.