balancing of clutch assembly

[chrisf]

I need some info on where to get my clutch/flywheel assembly balanced, or at least checked.

A little background: I had dropped my engine/transmission over the summer for maintenance, I had the transmission totally rebuilt (which now shifts perfectly!) and found a good deal on a flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch disk. Everything looked good, the flywheel had been resurfaced, and the clutch disk was practically new. I did not have any of the parts checked for balance.

It was running the second week of December and was running and shifting really well, just a slight harmonic at 2800 rpm, which was noticeable when seat in the car and in neutral. Un-noticeable when not seated or standing by the engine revving while watching the tach and un-noticeable while engaged at this rpm. It was more of a harmonic rather than a vibration directly related to rpm. Local guy didn't think it was that big of a vibration.

but the input seal on the trans is leaking, so I will drop it again to replace it and am interested in having this clutch assembly check to make sure it is good to go.

I'm in chattanooga; I'm hoping someone has a suggestion to someone in the local southeast who has done this type of check/balance.

Thanks,

Chris

[Steve@Rennsport]

Chris:

For sure, the whole thing should be zero-balanced but I would carefully inspect the pressure plate's locating straps to make sure that the platen is still centered.

These straps will break when the clutch is subjected to some abuse and the load surface becomes displaced off-center.

All the balancing in the world will not keep that situation from shaking,...

[Grady Clay]

Chris,

Steve is right on and this is a common problem. Other Pelicans have fought this battle to the extreme.

On some prior threads I posted some images of the tension straps (springs) in compression failure. I’ll see if I can find them or you can search.

Best,
Grady

[chrisf]

guys, thanks for the reply. I will double check the straps once I have everything apart again. The pressure plate I got was like new, and in much better shape than the one I removed. But you never know. Grady, I was able to find the picture you mentioned and I'll reference it during my inspection. Interesting about not using the engine to slow the car, i.e. downshifting instead of using the brakes, I'll keep that in mind.

Again, all was good with the setup, aside from the 2800 thing. Clutch engagement was pretty smooth and consistent, and there was no vibration or anything while driving thru out the rpm range, all the way from just about idle to the red. I made sure of this while accelerating very slowy all the way up. The vibration was just about 2800-3000 while in neutral.....

Now that I think about it, I didn't make note about wether or not having the clutch in or out made a difference or had any effect on the vibration. I think I'm going to go check that now...

Anyone have any suggestions about who could check and balance the clutch assembly?

Thanks,

~Chris

[chrisf]

guys, thanks for the reply. I will double check the straps once I have everything apart again. The pressure plate I got was like new, and in much better shape than the one I removed. But you never know. Grady, I was able to find the picture you mentioned and I'll reference it during my inspection. Interesting about not using the engine to slow the car, i.e. downshifting instead of using the brakes, I'll keep that in mind.

Again, all was good with the setup, aside from the 2800 thing. Clutch engagement was pretty smooth and consistent, and there was no vibration or anything while driving thru out the rpm range, all the way from just about idle to the red. I made sure of this while accelerating very slowy all the way up. The vibration was just about 2800-3000 while in neutral.....

Now that I think about it, I didn't make note about wether or not having the clutch in or out made a difference or had any effect on the vibration. I think I'm going to go check that now...

Anyone have any suggestions about who could check and balance the clutch assembly?

Thanks,

~Chris

[chrisf]

Do I have to replace my pressure plate during my clutch change?