Thread: Drive Plate Question

Originally Posted by d2dave

Having just replaced a broken drive plate in my D1 (300Tdi) this got me thinking about my D2.

My research tells me that they are also known to fail which got me thinking.
On the Td5 the drive plate is just a flat piece of steel. Between the plate and the crank is quite a large spacer.

Why couldn't two plates be used and the thickness of the extra plate could be machined off the spacer.
You could even fit three all together.

There must be a reason, as I am sure that many others would have the same thoughts and I reckon there will be people here that are much smarter than me,
who will say why this should not be done.

I considered this as well when my brother had his fail some months ago and we read that the common aftermarket offering is considered by those that “know”, to be of a lower specification steel than the original and not to be trusted. So what about two sandwiched together we thought. But it wouldn’t be as simple as that - I reckon that the fixing bolts would have to be upgraded to provide greater clamping force to allow for the increased mass and lateral (shear?) forces exerted on the extended length fixing bolts.

I am not an engineer ....

These are also called a flex plate. A sandwich of these may not have enough flex.
I could be wrong, I have a manual!

Just use a HD flex plate.
They don't crack.
Ashcroft make/sell one, pretty sure A&B in Melbourne stock them.

Originally Posted by rick130

Just use a HD flex plate.
They don't crack.
Ashcroft make/sell one, pretty sure A&B in Melbourne stock them.

Do A&B stock Ashcroft units or make their own?
Justin gave me one, it had no reference to AC on it, only an A&B sticker.

That reminds me. I still have mine in the shed. I was going to turn it into a wind chime.

But as mentioned they need to flex a small amount. Mine got tired with flexing. And was removed in several bits.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Do A&B stock Ashcroft units or make their own?
Justin gave me one, it had no reference to AC on it, only an A&B sticker.

I thought you said it had 'Ash' or 'AT' stamped on it?
All good Ian.

Uninformed and I are putting an Ashcroft list together ATM and a HD flexplate will be on it.

Originally Posted by rick130

I thought you said it had 'Ash' or 'AT' stamped on it?
All good Ian.

Uninformed and I are putting an Ashcroft list together ATM and a HD flexplate will be on it.

Quite possibly Rick.
Now where did I leave my memory?

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Quite possibly Rick.
Now where did I leave my memory?

If you find it mine will probably be there too so can you send it home to me please?