Clutch

I just finish rebuilding my 1600 engine and I am ready to install it, question, To align the clutch the book recommend an old input shaft, is there any other easy way to do it if you don't have an old shaft?

Reply to
Xrayjuan
Loading thread data ...

Reply to
Xrayjuan

Dear Xray,

Any device that maintains the concentric alignment between the clutch disk and the pilot bearing can be made to serve.

The standard tool is made of WOOD. If you have a wood lathe, making such a tool is a snap. Little end matches the pilot bearing, shank matches the hole in the clutch disk (you can ignore the splines, focus on the HOLE) and anything left over serves as a handle.

Put your mind to it, you'll see that you don't even need the lathe; anything that can hold a hardwood dowel while spinning the thing can be made to work, and a rasp does just fine as a cutter.

Have you got a set of deep sockets? See if you can find one that is a reasonable fit in the pilot bearing. Now see how well the big end of the socket fits the center of the clutch disk. I have a set of metric sized, 1/2" drive deep-sockets made by S-K. The 10mm socket makes a perfect alignment tool.

Lots of folks sell cheap PLASTIC alignment tools. Before using anything made of plastic for this purpose you should check the alignment of the TOOL. In a lot of cases the little end is at a distinct angle to the clutch-part, guaranteeing you'll NEVER get the engine to slide on to the main-shaft.

You'll also see a lot of stuff about how an old main-shaft makes the perfect alignment tool. Which it does. But ONLY if you keep that sucker absolutely, positively HORIZONTAL when torquing up the pressure plate. That's because an old mainshaft is also a WORN OUT mainshaft, especially with regard to its fit in pilot bearing and the splines for the clutch disk. Old mainshaft means a VERY sloppy fit, which leaves a lot of the alignment up to you.

This is one of those problems that can have you bleeding from the eyes because all of the Instant Experts tell you what a great idea it is to use an old main-shaft... but none of them take the trouble to mention what happens if the shaft is allowed to droop, or when it's worn so badly that it fails to keep the clutch disk concentric to the pilot bearing.

--------------------------------------

Funny/Sad Story: Couple of kids, first bug; taking advantage of their first engine removal (bad clutch) to add tons of those kewl improvements you can just bolt on, makes a bug go a thousand miles an hour, etc.

Couldn't get the engine back in. Spent something like THREE DAYS really trashing that poor bug before the mother of one of the kids got in touch with my wife to see if I could drop by, maybe give them a hand.

The clutch disk was visibly misaligned. I pointed out that fact, asked what they'd used as an alignment tool.

When I showed up, they were defensive, didn't need any help, etc. When I pointed out the misalignment they called it 'bullshit'. According to them, the clutch disk would align AUTOMATICALLY as the engine was installed.

So I left them to it. You can lead a horse to water but from that point on, the rest of the job is up to the horse.

-Bob Hoover

Reply to
Veeduber

Mr. Hoover has a nice bit of input on this matter as he's posted. I however did none of the above .................I actually have a machined pilot tool with a knurled "handle " end.

Made of Steel.

Purchased at a local VW shop in Irving Tx.

Nice piece , will never need another one.................'less o'course someone liberates it from me.................That shouldn;t happen to easily, as I am a lock 'em up guy nowadays.

Remove "YOURPANTIES" to reply MUADIB®

formatting link
Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

Reply to
MUADIB®

Buy an alingnment tool made by Bugpack (5 bucks?) or take any straight rod, and wrap electrical tape around it so that it fits through the clutch disc hole snugly. The tip should be slightly smaller in diameter, so it would fit through the hole in the flywheel bolt. Keep these lined up while tightening pressure plate and you should be ok. Even a visual check seems to be enough, it can be off center a little. (the first time you use the clutch, it will center itself)

Jan

Reply to
Jan

LOL

great story :)

The disc can be a few mm off, but it still should be "almost there".

*then* the "automatic centering" would work.

Jan

Reply to
Jan

And I thought I was just being cheap by using the deep well socket to align the clutch.............(holds head up with a little more pride)

Reply to
TerryB

I always use my pinkie. Never failed me yet.

"Xrayjuan" schreef in bericht news:RAx0b.71$ snipped-for-privacy@fe04.atl.webusenet.com...

Reply to
Black Baja

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.