What are the causes of clutch failure in MG GS?
3 Answers
The causes of clutch failure in the MG GS include the following: Release master cylinder assembly: Improper adjustment, excessively high pedal, and no free play. Driven disc (friction plate) assembly: Excessive wear of the friction plate (worn down to the friction plate rivets). The clutch master cylinder, slave cylinder, release fork, release bearing, etc., are stuck and not moving smoothly. Flywheel working surface and pressure plate working surface excessive wear: Excessive wear of the release fingers (the rounded ends have been worn flat), excessive wear of the release bearing (thrust surface has worn concave arcs). Excessive wear of the flywheel working surface and pressure plate working surface (wear exceeds 0.5mm).
After the clutch in my MG GS had issues, I found that the main problem was severe wear on the clutch disc, likely due to driving in a semi-engaged state during daily traffic jams, which wore the disc thin. Pressing the pedal felt heavy and sticky. Another possible cause was a faulty release bearing, especially after long drives when it would squeak. A bad bearing can't hold the pressure plate properly, making gear shifting difficult. Fluid issues are also common, such as low clutch hydraulic fluid or air in the system. If the oil pump leaks, the pedal becomes soft and ineffective. To avoid trouble, drive gently, avoid keeping the clutch semi-engaged on slopes, and regularly check fluids and replace the disc. A breakdown on the road is dangerous, wastes time, and costs more.
MG GS clutch failures often occur at several key points. The most common issue is excessive wear on the clutch disc or pressure plate. I've repaired many vehicles with this problem - when the disc becomes too thin, gear shifting becomes difficult. Release bearing failures are also frequent; when the bearing gets stuck or breaks, it causes abnormal noises when depressing the clutch pedal, and may even lead to oil leaks. Problems in the clutch hydraulic system, such as fluid leakage from the master cylinder or slave cylinder causing unstable oil pressure, can result in changes to pedal travel. Poor driving habits, like frequently accelerating with a partially engaged clutch or constant stop-start driving, can halve component lifespan. Additionally, external factors like bumpy road conditions can accelerate damage. Regular maintenance including oil changes, and checking pumps and cables for rust is recommended. Early detection and replacement of problematic parts can prevent major repairs later.
