clutch pad / no pad

[pottinger]

hey guys

I am just trying to make sure i cover all the bases
whilst engine out so couple questions:-

1) if its bone dry when the clutch cover is taken off, do i need to change the oil seal behind gland nut ? or is it impossible to see if its leaking without taking the nut off etc etc

2) how much depth of material should there be on the clutch (haynes says 0.6 of a mm) but that seems
very very small, does it mean 6mm ? dont think my eyes can see half of one mm :lol:

3) should the release bearing pivot down freely ie stay vertical when the clutch lever operated or does it hit bottom
first then line up (soz if that sound pretty non-technical but hopefully you get what i mean :lol: )

4) Is mine a clutch with pad or without, ie would the kit be the first or second on this link ??
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_parts_Clutches-and-Clutch-Components_act_page.render_pageID_285_lang_EN_country_GB.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

pics

What other parts should i consider re-placing ?

sorry for the long post men, but thought with the piccies it may help someone in the future to, also i did
do a search but nothing that gave me these answers definatively tho

cheers fellas, all advice mucho appreciated.
Ta
potts

 

[Trikky2]

If its not leaking then dont change the seal.

When the engine is out its normally wise to fit a new centre plate and release bearing and closely inspect the pressure plate. If you have experienced clutch judder its wise to change the pressure plate as well.

The only times one would not replace these items is if they are in excellent/nearly new condition.

 

[pottinger]

thanks trikky,

so which clutch is the one i want, pad or no pad ??
In speaking to vwh, they think someone may have in the past fitted a later
twin port engine and had the oldstyle release bearing left on there etc etc ??
I want to replace the release bearing but dont want to replace wrong for wrong
if ya get me :lol:

Also, where should you check for signs of leaking from the seal ?

is it from the centre of this image or from behind the plate ?

cheers
potts

 

[Trikky2]

Were the flywheel seal to be leaking, the oil would come out from between the flywheel and the case.

Yes, in your pictures thats an early type pressure plate for the early release bearing you have on your gearbox.

The later release bearing pushes directly onto the "fingers" of the pressure plate eg. the ring in the middle is removed. Many replacement pressure plates come with the ring fitted and you remove it when using it with the later type release bearing.

The later release bearing sits on a guide tube round the input shaft, bolted to the gearbox housing. You cant mix the two systems.

 

[71Westy]

Easy way to check the clutch thickness is to use a (clean) spanner. 8mm going on with a little friction is ok, 7mm less so, 6mm probably means it needs to be replaced.

Nick

 

[pottinger]

Yes, in your pictures thats an early type pressure plate for the early release bearing you have on your gearbox.

The later release bearing pushes directly onto the "fingers" of the pressure plate eg. the ring in the middle is removed. Many replacement pressure plates come with the ring fitted and you remove it when using it with the later type release bearing.

The later release bearing sits on a guide tube round the input shaft, bolted to the gearbox housing. You cant mix the two systems.

Hi Trikky, thanks for your reply but i thought most early type clutches where for singleport engines ? mines a twinport so presumably a replacement engine that used to have a no pad clutch going onto an early gearbox (release bearing needing a pad ?) but does it matter regarding the clutch type ? ie should a twinport have a no pad clutch or does it just have to have the match to the release bearing ? hope that makes sense but I need to be sure as dont wanna have to pull the engine cos i fitted the wrongun

cheers
potts

 

[Trikky2]

As posted - the type of clutch (which is the same one and you either leave the ring on or remove it) is relative to what release bearing type you are using. It doesn't matter which set up you use as long as the two match. Its not relative to the engine - its relative to the gearbox you have got. If you want to change to the later type release bearing you will have to fit a guide tube to your gearbox for it to go on and then remove the ring/pad on the pressure plate.

 

[pottinger]

thanks Trikky

Think i was getting confused with the pictures of clutches on suppliers
websites, ie

They all show early ones with pad as three finger pressure plates ? except c&c
is it just certain replacements are 18 fingers that you can use for both - ie removable pad ? albeit
i dont think mine would come out very easily ??

my point is as follows:-

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_parts_Clutches-and-Clutch-Components_act_page.render_pageID_285_lang_EN_country_GB.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

item number 18 and 19 not 3 finger
http://www.customandcommercial.com/products.aspx?Sub_Category=1776&Category=414&group=61" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheers
potts

 

[Trikky2]

thanks Trikky

Think i was getting confused with the pictures of clutches on suppliers
websites, ie

They all show early ones with pad as three finger pressure plates ? except c&c
is it just certain replacements are 18 fingers that you can use for both - ie removable pad ? albeit
i dont think mine would come out very easily ??

my point is as follows:-

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_parts_Clutches-and-Clutch-Components_act_page.render_pageID_285_lang_EN_country_GB.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

item number 18 and 19 not 3 finger
http://www.customandcommercial.com/products.aspx?Sub_Category=1776&Category=414&group=61" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

cheers
potts

Ok I see what you mean. The one with pad on Heritage is the old fashioned three finger type. It will fit your bearing/box without modification but it does give a heavier pedal because its the old spring system.

The diaphragm type clutch gives a lighter pedal but the stock one shown on Heritage wont fit your bearing/box unless you change your release bearing to the type with a guide tube.

Further down the Heritage listing they show Kennedy ones which are diaphragm and will do both, because the the center pad is removable.

The ones shown by Custom and Commercial are diaphragm type clutches both with and without the center pad.

Its entirely your choice whether you want to use a pressure plate with a pad and continue to use the existing type release bearing you now have or whether you wish to fit the later release bearing and associated guide tube and then fit a pressure plate without center pad. Both systems work.

The only thing that will not work is mixing up the two different pressure plate/release bearing types.

 

[pottinger]

thanks Trikky, all clear now, mucho appreciated.

Can i ask, is the clutch operation alot heavier with a 3 finger plate ?
also, ******* question but presume the size (200mm) is the measurement
from the edge of the contact point on the flywheel to the opposite side ?

cheers
potts