The clutch must only be used when starting the car from rest or when changing gear ("60", "75" and 1954-55 "90" models if the freewheel is not in use); at all other times, the foot should be kept clear of the clutch pedal, to avoid unnecessary lining wear.
CLUTCH ADJUSTMENT
To ensure efficient operation of the clutch unit, there must be free movement in the linkage, to the extent of 0.75 in. (20 mm.) measured at the pedal pad.
A-Clutch adjusting nut.
B-Clutch pedal pull-off spring.
C-Gearbox drain plug.
D-Overdrive drain plug.
E-Overdrive oil filter.
The clutch spring anchor mounted on the bell housing has three spaced securing holes, so that the spring tension may be adjusted to suit individual drivers.
GEARBOX (INCLUDING FREEWHEEL)
GEARBOX LUBRICATION
The gearbox, freewheel or overdrive unit and clutch withdrawal mechanism are lubricated as one unit.
B-Dipstick.
A-Oil filler cap.
OIL LEVEL
The gearbox oil level must be checked periodically by means of the dipstick on top of the gearbox, and replenished as necessary to the H mark on the stick. The dipstick and the oil filler cap are accessible through the inspection hole on top of the gearbox cover, after pulling back the carpet and removing the large rubber plug from the cover.
GEARBOX OIL CHANGES-EXCEPT WITH OVERDRIVE
The gearbox oil should first be changed at750 miles (1.000 km.) and thereafter at regular intervals in the following manner:
1. Immediately after a run, when the oil is warm, drain off the oil by removing the drain plug in the bottom of the casing.
2. Replace the drain plug and refill with oil of the correct grade; the total capacity is approximately 3.5 Imperial pints (2 litres).
GEARBOX OIL CHANGES-WITH OVERDRIVE
The gearbox and overdrive oil should be changed at 750 miles (1.000 km.) and thereafter at regular intervals (see Page 17) in the following manner:
1. Immediately after a run, when the oil is warm, drain off the oil by removing the drain plugs in the bottom of the gearbox casing and the overdrive casing.
2. Remove the overdrive oil filter, accessible through the drain plug hole, and secured by a central bolt. Clean filter in petrol and refit.
3. Replace the drain plugs and refill, through the gearbox filler, with the correct grade of oil. The total capacity is approximately 5.5 Imperial pints (3 litres).
4. After refilling the gearbox and overdrive with oil, re-check the level after the car has been run as a certain amount of oil will be retained in the hydraulic system.
IMPORTANT NOTE.
Absolute cleanliness is essential when draining, refilling or topping up the gearbox and overdrive unit, as foreign matter that enters may seriously affect the hydraulic operation of the unit.
FREE WHEEL CONTROL ADJUSTMENT- "60", "75" and 1954-55 "90".
Operation of the freewheel from the knob on the facia panel is by means of a cable which will stretch during the early life of the car; for this reason adjustment of the cable, as described below, will be necessary at 750 miles (1.000 km.) or earlier.
After the initial stretch has been taken out of the cable, adjustment will only be necessary at lengthy intervals; the need for adjustment is shown by a grating noise from the gearbox when freewheeling. It is then essential to carry out the adjustment at the first opportunity, or damage will be caused to the freewheel mechanism.
To effect cable adjustment, proceed as follows:
1. Place the freewheel in the fixed position, by turning the control knob fully in an anti-clockwise direction. To ensure that the fixed position is fully engaged, engage first gear, release the hand brake and rock the car backwards and forwards several times, a few inches in each direction.
2. Grasp the control knob and move it very gently alternately left and right to ascertain the backlash in the control; the backlash may be as much as 0.5 in. (13 mm.) measured at the rim of the knob and must be reduced, by cable adjustment, to a minimum of 0.125 in. (3 mm.). It must never be less than 0.125 in. (3 mm.) or the freewheel unit may be damaged.
3. Adjust the cable by rotating the adjusting nut in the required direction (anti-clockwise to reduce the backlash and vice versa) until the amount of backlash is correct.
A-Adjusting nut.
Note: The overdrive unit is fitted as standard on "105" models.
The overdrive unit comprises a hydraulically controlled epicyclic gear, actuated by an external electrical system which is controlled by the driver's switch on the steering column.
The complete unit is attached to the rear of the gearbox in place of the freewheel formerly used. It provides an extra high gear in top gear only and lowers the overall gear ratio from 4.3-1 to 3.34-1 on the "90" and "105" and 4.7-1 to 3.66-1 on the "60" and "75", this reduces the engine speed by 22.3% in relation to road speed, thus permitting high road speeds with low engine revolutions resulting in considerable fuel economy and reduced engine wear. See chart below.
The prime function of the overdrive unit is to reduce engine R.P.M., not to increase road speed.
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"90" WITH OVERDRIVE AND "105"
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ROAD SPEED
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ENGINE REVOLUTIONS
PER MINUTE |
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Miles |
Kilometres per hour
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Top gear
4.3-1 |
Overdrive
3.34-1 |
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20 |
32
48 64 80 96 112 128 |
1111
1666 2222 2777 3333 3888 4444 |
862 |
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"60" WITH OVERDRIVE AND "75"
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ROAD SPEED
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ENGINE REVOLUTIONS
PER MINUTE |
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Miles |
Kilometres per hour
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Top gear
4.3-1 |
Overdrive
3.34-1 |
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20 |
32
48 64 80 96 112 128 |
1214
1821 2428 3035 3642 4249 4856 |
945 |
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On re-engaging top gear, overdrive will automatically be selected, providing the control switch on the steering column has not been moved.
Do not attempt to engage normal drive at maximum overdrive speeds.
IMPORTANT.
In the unlikely event of any difficulty being experienced with the overdrive unit, this should be immediately referred to a Rover Distributor or Dealer.
A-Sliding sleeve nipple.
B-Universal joint nipple.
PROPELLER SHAFT LUBRICATION
At regular intervals (see Page 18), apply one of the recommended oils at the lubricating nipple on the sliding portion of the rear half of the shaft.
At the same time, apply the correct grade of oil at the lubrication nipples fitted to the three universal joints. If high pressure equipment is used, care must be taken not to damage the seals in the joints.
The centre support bearing is pre-packed with grease and requires no further attention.
PROPELLER SHAFT BOLTS
At regular intervals check the security of the propeller shaft securing bolts and rectify as necessary.
REAR AXLE LUBRICATION
OIL LEVEL
The rear axle oil level must be checked periodically immediately after a run when the oil is warm and replenished as necessary to the bottom of the filler plug hole. Access to this plug is gained from underneath the car.
REAR AXLE OIL CHANGES
Except under extreme winter condition, the first rear axle oil change should be made at 750 miles (1.000 km.); under such conditions, the oil should be changed to the appropriate grade immediately upon receipt of the car and then changed again at 750 miles (1000 km.).
Thereafter the oil should be changed at regular intervals in the following manner:
1. Immediately after a run, when the axle is warm, drain off the oil by removing the drain plug in the bottom of the axle casing.
2. Replace the drain plug and refill with oil of the correct grade; the capacity is approximately 3 Imperial pints (1,75 litres).
FRONT HUBS
FRONT HUB LUBRICATION
Lubricant for the front hubs is carried in the press-on hub caps. The caps are filled with grease on assembly. The caps should be removed at regular intervals, and fresh grease added as necessary; even when the caps are found to be almost empty, it is usually only because the bulk of the grease is clinging to the hubs.
Every 27,000 miles (45.000 kin) or two years, dismantle the front hub, thoroughly clean and re-pack with a suitable grease.
This operation should be carried out by your local Rover Distributor or Dealer.
Fig. 26. Front hub lubrication.
A-Press-on hub cap.
The front hub bearings are adjustable, but attention to the end-float will rarely be needed. If a hub is to be dismantled for any reason, advice should be sought from a Rover distributor or dealer.
STEERING BOX LUBRICATION
The steering box oil level must be checked periodically (see Page 18) and replenished as necessary to the bottom of the filler plug hole on the top cover plate. Access to this plug is. gained by lifting the bonnet panel.
A-Filler plug.
B-Adjusting screw.
End-play in the rocker shaft may be taken up by means of the adjuster in the top cover plate; need for attention at this point will be indicated by a slight rattle from the steering column.
The adjustment should be carried out after the first 750 miles (1000 km.) but thereafter will only be required at long intervals.
Proceed as follows
With the road wheels set straight ahead, slacken the locknut and screw the adjuster down by hand until it contacts the top of the rocker shaft; tighten a further one-tenth of a turn and secure with the locknut.
STEERING BALL JOINTS
Steering joints on Rover cars have been designed in such a way as to retain the initial filling of grease for the normal life of the ball joints, however, this applies only if the rubber boot remains in position on the ball joint. The rubber boots should be checked periodically (see Page 18) to ensure that they have not become dislodged and the joint damaged. Should any of the rubber boots be pushed out of position proceed as follows
(a) Remove ball end from lever.
(b) Remove rubber boot.
(c) Thoroughly clean all parts.
(d) Apply grease (Castrolease LM, Energrease L2 or Mobilgrease MP, Shell Retinax A, Esso Multi-purpose grease H or Duckham's LB 10 grease) round taper of ball joint and also fill boot.
(e) Re-assemble all parts using new rubber boots and springs as necessary.
HYDRAULIC DAMPERS
The telescopic hydraulic dampers on both front and rear springs require no maintenance attention; should they be damaged, replacement units must be fitted.
SWIVEL PIN LUBRICATION
At regular intervals (see Page 18) remove the air release plug from the top of each swivel pin and the filler plug from the stub axle oil reservoir
A-Air release plug.
B-Filler plug.
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
As an aid to maximum tyre life and comfortable steering, the front wheel alignment should be checked by a Rover distributor or dealer at regular intervals.
ROAD SPRINGS
At regular intervals check the security of the nuts on the U bolts securing the axles to the springs; rectify as necessary
