Pressure Plate Damaged?

i firmly believe you are money ahead to replace *any* questionable parts while the engine is out.... get the clutch/pressureplate/release bearing, and the cross shaft....the cross shaft is only spotwelded at the "forks" from factory, either weld it solid to shaft or have it done if you don't have the equipment to weld it yourself...always a good idea even with a stock pressureplate....

"The next day I dropped the engine and found that the cross shaft that holds the throw out bearing was broken. I noticed that half of the pressure plate fingers are lower than the other half. My question is can I continue to use the pressure plate or is it time to replace the pressure plate, disc, and throw out bearing? I installed them brand new in 1992 and I did get 13 years out of these Brazilian Sachs parts. All 3 parts will cost $91 with tax (Brazilian Sachs). "

Change the plate, disc and throwout bearing as well as making the repairs to the cross shaft. The fingers on the pressure plate need to be at the same height all the way around.

Chris

There used to be a Heavy Duty Cross-shaft that was sold. It might have been for the earlier ones, where the bearing does not ride on a sleeve, but it was really beefy and had more material on the arms. The arms went all around the shaft, or I should say that each arm had a large hole that the shaft fit through and then was welding all the way around the shaft. If this makes sense. I am not sure if I have any more of these left. :-(

It is cheaper to change out the clutch kit now than to do this all again in the NEAR future! ;-) JMHO

i only ever saw those heavy duty shafts for the pre 73(smaller diameter) shafts

Yeah but the later ones can be modified by welding some thick washers to the arms and the shaft if a HD one can not be found. ;-) Of course pay attention to the right side clearance between the arm and the trans.