Clutch Question

[kokenm]

This is the first time I have had the engine out of the car and do not have a whole lot of knowledge in the area of transmission.

The car drives well and I have not noticed any slipping of the clutch.

But since I already have it out of the car I was wondering how does one evaluate the wear of the clutch?

[Oh Haha]

You'll need to separate the transmision from the engine and then look at the flywheel and clutch disc.

If you can post a pic of both we can help you out with opinions on whether you should replace them. Unless you know how many miles are on the clutch it is a wise idea to replace it "while you are in there".

Easier said than done, especially if your budget won't allow for extras.

[Zeke]

A good sign of needing replacement is a streaking blueish color, grooves on the metal faces you can easily catch your fingernail on and a thin disc. Most discs have radial grooves in them and they should not be real shallow or uneven.

[kokenm]

Ok I think I understand. after putting a little light on the subject there apears to be about 1/4 of the thickness worn. I would not exactly call that thin however I don't know exactly what qualifies as thin.

I suppose that I will consult Bentley.

[Mattcamp]

Pictures.....Pictures.....Pictures.....Pictures... ..Pictures.....Pictures.....

[kokenm]

ok It's not clean yet but here they are

[kokenm]

Heck after looking at my pictures the top one almost looks gold plated!

I suppose that it costs enough to replace it might as well be gold plated!

Mike

[Johnb911]

You wull ned to take off the nine bolts around the preassure plate and that will free it up.
Take off the plate and the disc will be behind it.

Assumming this is a 915 tranny.

Be forwarned though. You will need an alienment tool to put it back together. Our host sells it for about 10.00ish. As well as a Torque wrench.
Other than that it's as easy as pulling a wheel off the car.

We need pictures of the flywheel, Clutch disc front and back and the inside of the pressure plate.

You will also need a friend to help you slide it back together.

[kokenm]

I will be taking this apart tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for the input so far.

Mike

[kokenm]

As requested :
[img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads14/_MG_1440+21240619762.jpg/img]

[kokenm]

and the last picture that did not appear

[Oh Haha]

My .02:

I don't think it looks that bad(the clutch disc) however I would probably have the flywheel surface cleaned up. That being said, it will require a special triple square socket to remove the flywheel bolts and you should purchase new ones as well as the aforementioned alignment tool.

Do you know how many miles are on this setup? If you had no problems you really don't need to replace it UNLESS you can verify the mileage to the good or the bad. I would think that if it has 30-50,000 miles it should be replaced.

if you don't know and your budget will allow, I would get a new clutch kit and be done with it for a long time.

[kokenm]

I don't know the mileage as I have had the car for 2 years. I have probably put 11,000 miles on the car since I bought it. I did not clean anything before shooting the pictures but don't know if that makes a difference. I did wipe them off after the photos were taken and they were smooth as a babies butt.

I was looking at the clutch discs on pelican and although I thought that the clutch disc looked thin when I pulled it off, It did not look much thinner than the replacement part.

What do you think?


Thanks for helping me understand.

[Zeke]

Another thing to do is check the TO bearing. If it spins by itself after you let go, it's tired.

[Oh Haha]

With the mileage unknown I would replace it with new. As Milt stated, get a new throw out bearing,too.

[kokenm]

Ok I checked the bearing and spun it with my hand. it made about a 3/4 rotation and stopped.

[whiskyb]

If it was my car i would, replace rear main seal. Hve the flywheel machined. Replace the disc and pressure plate along with new flywheel bolts. A new throw out bearing should also be on the list of to do's. The time and labor even if doing it yourself warrant a new assembly. Murphy's law says if you do not it will go on the nicest driving weekend of the year

[kokenm]

your probably right and murphy and I are old buddies as he comes to visit me often.
I am having a hard time parting with the money to fix all that ails sally since I am trying to save enough to build a business. I think at this point I may have to tempt murphy to a poker game by only fixing the necessary parts putting it off for a little bit longer.

[Oh Haha]

If that's what you need to do, then put her back together and drive it.


Heck, it may last another 5 years.

I didn't replace mine at my first engine drop but did on the second as I didn't want to temp fate too much.

You said it was shifting fine so you'll be ok.

You may want to adjust, or at least check the clutch cable for proper movement.

[kokenm]

Wayne,

thanks for the reassurance. you never know what will happen.
I will check the clutch cable. Now it is time to order an alignment tool to put the clutch back on, a starter to fix the one I broke ( high torque) and my oil cooler which was the majority of the reason to go ahead and do the engine drop. This is a great Forum and thank you all for the much appreciated help.

Mike