I am reassembling a 1.6 TD I just rebuilt, and as I was installing the pressure plate I noticed the contact area "button" on the clutch release plate seems to be loose. Is this normal? I don't recall seeing this when I did my other clutch a few years ago.
Cheers!
Yes. Very normal, and Mr. brokevw and probably bentley say to put a dab of grease on it.
That's the great thing about the Benltey book. Lots of little tips. But I saw nothing on the contact area wiggling about.. lol Bentley is a nice chap, no? Never argues, and simply gives one the inside dope.
Cheers for the reply!
new loose no.... used 50/50 shot... IMO id put a new one on.. not worth the work if it was to fail...
If in doubt, spend more money! The ministry of war and finance is already on my butt for spending so much... I'd rather deal with her than have it fail.
Cheers!
When you do put it on, make sure it's centered.
That's something the Bentley doesn't mention.
I usually run a Bic pen around the outside, if it won't fit around one side I adjust until it does.
Also, make sure that the large circlip that secures it to the pressure plate is REALLY locked down. Don't ask me how I know this....
When you do put it on, make sure it's centered.
That's something the Bentley doesn't mention.
I usually run a Bic pen around the outside, if it won't fit around one side I adjust until it does.
I am thinking this was not done when the clutch was last installed by the previous owner. It had minimal wear on the friction disk, but it was scalloped pretty badly, and looking closely at the plate shows some serious wear to that contact area. I'll make sure I get a new plate and clip with the new clutch. I am finding all sorts of things that were done to that car that clearly shows why I was able to buy it so cheap ($200) The kid actually did a pretty good job on the engine. I only needed to deglaze the cylinders, install new rings, seals etc and replace a bunch of missing hardware and parts he didn't bother to install. I probably could have re-registered it, but it has nobly given it's life so that another might live. My original engine will be getting a thorough rebuild with a lot of the tricks and tweaks listed at this site. I am thinking I'll buy another type 2 Jetta with a bum engine and build a show car! These Jettas are great to work on and look darned fine when all dressed up.
Also, make sure that the large circlip that secures it to the pressure plate is REALLY locked down. Don't ask me how I know this....
lol I learned a very long time ago that proper procedure has it's merits. I once rushed the installation of the oil pan gasket on a 302 Mercruiser on a boat my dad used to own. The gasket slipped and It leaked badly. I had to pull the engine again. Pulling some boat engines is about as horrific a job as you could imagine! Fortunately that taught me a painful but valuable lesson
early in my wrenching career.
Thanks for the good advice!
When I got my jetta it was seeping from the tranny but not slipping. All the leaks freaked me out so I broke things down, replaced the seals and an older new stock clutch kit from guy on ebay. I threw all new parts in with a new pushrod and less than 10,000 miles later all the springs exploded out from the disc, scratched the housing up. It happened while it was running and the driver left it in the same gear because the clutch pedal just made noise, and got it home.
I did not resurface the flywheel. So did my kit fail because it was old, unlucky or because I didn't resurface that flywheel? I put another kit in from germanautoparts and got my flywheel resurfaced. Damn it took me forever to find a shop to do it with the stepping.
Sorry to go off topic, perhaps I was unlucky on that one but it sure freaked me out. Car has been running fine since.
When I broke down my tranny I just assume it was the original clutch @ 200,000 miles with vw part stamps. That little rivet piece was pancaked and I sware just this close to punching through the other side
But every kit I have seen has that little rivet bouncing around. Seems crazy and I definately don't ride the clutch
Most likely the source of your replacement clutch was the problem... I'd bet a good chunk of the forum members can name who you bought it from. eBay isn't really a good place for anything that you can otherwise easily get at a parts store or from one of the online parts houses in my opinion.