I was changing out tires for autocrossing and had one side of the MINI jacked up. I realized one of the tires I was putting on was flat, so I started the car to run my 12V pump. As the tire was filling I proceeded to take off the front tire, turned around to set it down, and when I looked back the rotor was slowly turning . Some light pressure stopped it, but I could feel the resistance and as soon as I let go the rotor started turning again. With the wheel installed it no longer turned.

So, the question is then, does this indicate that my clutch is going or is there another issue I need to consider. Any thoughts are appreciate and let me know if you need more info to help possibly diagnose.

Thanks!
Tim

 

I doubt you clutch is on its way out.

Start your car, put the transmission in either second or third, engage the handbrake and slowly release the clutch. If the engine "bogs down" without slippage, then your clutch still has plenty of life.

 

Hey there,

Chances are your trans & clutch are fine. The car was running while on jacks - so your clutch was engaged, but your trans was in neutral. the 6 speed ( & 5 speed for that matter ) are close tolerance transmissions. Your input shaft was spinning inside the trans - causing your trans fluid ( gear oil ?? ) to circulate -- if the gears / shafts are close enough to each other the oil can cause other gears to spin - not much, but a little. It is common on 4 wheel drive vehicles with newer stlye transfer cases - with the vehicle on jacks and in 2 wheel drive - the other axle will start to rotate if you are powering the drive wheels - you can stop it with your hand.
As long as you can stop it with your hand - I wouldn't worry about it.


good luck

 

Well, based on that test my clutch is okay. So, any other ideas what the problem could be? I am pretty darn sure it shouldn't be turing on it's own when it's out of gear and the clutch released.

 

There is no reason it should not turn. Gear lube "drag" in the bearings will cause that to happen. The fact that you were able to stop it by hand shows that it was just drag.

J. D.

 

Thanks for the input. Sounds like this issue may be solved and luckily.....it's not an issue!!

 

Mom used to say "Honey, you have a nonproblem here. Find something else to worry about."

My reply was ALWAYS "Yes, ma'am."






(p.s. - Even if Mom was wrong, she was right. Always.)