Split My TC45 Today

JC-jetro · Dec 31, 2019

Yes, I noticed the fingers. on couple of automotive clutch that I replaced I noticed the the tines are a bit proud of the pressure plate outer housing facing out. it seems the housing is exactly the same. Was the original length of clutch plate splined section different? if so, it would give a bit of optical illusion. I hope you end up having enough adjustment without having the release fork end up touching pressure plate housing. i looked at the pics again, pressure plate looks identical, is there any way that you have installed the clutch plate with the wrong side against the flywheel? do you think you might have to rotate the clutch plate 180 degrees?

cpayne5 · Dec 31, 2019

Pretty sure the clutch disc is on correctly. "Fat" side towards the transmission, same as the original one. I'm going to pull it apart tonight and get some measurements. On the bench, the pressure plate fingers protruded, similar to the old one I removed. They retracted as the pressure plate was drawn down to the flywheel.

It could be that this is just normal and the old plate fingers protruded due to the old clutch disc being so worn.

I'm going to send an email to the guy I bought the kit from to see what he thinks.

cpayne5 · Dec 31, 2019

I just spoke to the clutch guy and he said the fingers should be flat, so I guess it's OK.

JC-jetro · Dec 31, 2019

sound good. I don;t reckon there is no need to take them apart for a looksy. As long as the bolts are uniformly tightened and torqued you are good to go. I know the fingers move a bit inward due to spring tension as you torque them down. Had the same experience with my son's Mitsubishi.

cpayne5 · Dec 31, 2019

I did a bit of measuring and pedal adjustment in preparation tonight. I think it's going to work, but the engagement point on the pedal is going to be very low.

JC-jetro · Jan 1, 2020

cpayne5 said:
I did a bit of measuring and pedal adjustment in preparation tonight. I think it's going to work, but the engagement point on the pedal is going to be very low.

I hope it all works, that would be a nice New year present to self. Did you get to measure the actual length of clutch plate splined section and compared it with old clutch disk?

cpayne5 · Jan 1, 2020

The two have become one once again. It went back together pretty easy, but the clutch pedal didn't have enough travel to release the clutch. So, I pulled it apart and added some washers between the pressure plate and flywheel. That seems to have worked. I'll know once I go on that first test drive! But, pushing it by hand in the garage has given good results so far.

I was happy to get it back together, so I took the rest of the day off. I'll get around to the rest of it this weekend, probably.

No, I never measured the splines.

ptsg · Jan 1, 2020

cpayne5 said:
The two have become one once again. It went back together pretty easy, but the clutch pedal didn't have enough travel to release the clutch. So, I pulled it apart and added some washers between the pressure plate and flywheel. That seems to have worked. I'll know once I go on that first test drive! But, pushing it by hand in the garage has given good results so far.

I was happy to get it back together, so I took the rest of the day off. I'll get around to the rest of it this weekend, probably.

No, I never measured the splines.

You're reducing the pressure of the pressure plate on the disc by doing that.

Make sure the clutch is not slipping under load.

cpayne5 · Jan 1, 2020

ptsg said:
You're reducing the pressure of the pressure plate on the disc by doing that.

Make sure the clutch is not slipping under load.

I agree, not ideal, but it was the only way to get proper clutch disengagement with the pressure plate I've got.

FWIW, I used very thin washers and believe I have the least amount of shimming required to get the job done.

JC-jetro · Jan 1, 2020

i am afraid the clutch now might wear per-maturely. Was there anyway to put some sort of washer or spacer just on the back of the release bearing to get it bit closer to the fingers? just pulling out of the thin air, can the old bearing be used on the hub just before the new bearing to give it a 1/4" or so distance. I ended up using an old bearing race to reduce the play on my steering box overhaul. basically I used the old bearing race as a big dia, fat washer/spacer on the sector shaft that had a broken end tab. it did work, lost fine adjustment but worked and better than not having steering.