aftermarket clutch alignment tool

JonyRR · 04-04-2005, 10:18 AM

OK, besides the overpriced OEM clutch alignment tool, what uses this oddball spline count? some old citroen or something? I DID do a search, but found nothing. I know someone out there knows which little import car has the same spline count and diameter...giv it up (please

)
thanks...

MarkC · 04-05-2005, 06:23 PM

No need for one. What I did was tighten down the clutch pressure plate bolts just enough to keep the clutch disc in place, but still loose enough to allow the plate to shift. Then I lined up the input shaft into the clutch, fit the transmission to the engine as the free moving clutch plate slid into it's proper place. Carefully remove the transmission without disturbing the clutch position and then torque the pressure plate bolts.
MarkC

Moybin · 04-05-2005, 06:36 PM

Jony:

If you replaced the input shaft due to worn splines use the old shaft as an alignment tool. Insert the clutch actuating rod inside the old shaft, push the actuation rod into the crankshaft. There is a socket or hole up inside there that it rides in. Then slide the input shaft over the actuating rod and into the clutch plate. Align the clutch plate and tighten the bolts. Worked fine for me. Otherwise, if you can get somebody with a lathe to turn some plastic or a rod of aluminum, just use the clutch plate and the clutch actuator rod for dimensions and go from there. Luckily this isn't rocket science.

roger albert · 04-05-2005, 07:01 PM

Yup, both of those would work fine.
I posted an answer earlier here and in another thread saying you could also use a generic automotive type.. Not sure why it didn't show up. As a variation on MarkC's method, you can just tap it into place, measuring for centeredness, and then tightent the bolts further. I've done many clutches in many types of vehicles, and airheads are the only one I've ever had the factory tool for. Nice, but totally unnecessary. Usually use a generic automotive. Use an airhead one with a few wraps of tape for /2s. Use and input spline on guzzis. Just measure on the rest. No problem

Macman320 · 04-06-2005, 02:58 AM

I have also used a craftsman long 1/2 " socket with a wrap of tape around it with the rod inside to align. A little sloppy , but effective tool in a pinch.

JonyRR · 04-06-2005, 07:37 AM

thanks all. I considered the 'loose plate and use input shaft' method...but stepped up and bought the (ouch$) OEM unit at $40.00 from chicago bmw. better safe than sorry with these spendy, somewhat fragile parts....

roger albert · 04-06-2005, 08:18 AM

yuppie

JonyRR · 04-06-2005, 08:22 AM

Me? Me? I'm too frikkin' old to be a yuppie! And besides, I was in the Army, and enlisted to boot...no-one who was a buck private lo those many years ago (mostly in your neck of the woods, Roger) can be a yuppie! I have a Dodge Ram 1500 PU, fer chrissake. I threaten to crush those cellfone-yakkin, latte-swillin' yuppoidals on a regular basis...sheesh! (But I WILL buy a small metal lathe soon so I never have to go thru this again...)

roger albert · 04-06-2005, 08:28 AM

I hear you.

I'm just giving you the same crap my friends give me when I buy a tool that I have no real need for (though you're trumping me here, since I do a LOT more clutches)

I was Army enlisted too. My yuppie defense is an aging, non-running El Camino. That's gotta be worth more anti-yuppie points than a modern running Ram.