Thread: Throwing clutches

Originally Posted by BradM

I have seen in some manufacturers fly wheel face designs when a flywheel has been machined where the clutch plate faces, the pressure plate face on the pressue plate unit where it bolts up needs to be machined the same amount. Otherwise this leaves the machined off surface on the fly wheel adding a wider difference to when the pressure plate contacts.

I don't think that anyone would really machine the flywheel this way would they?? I've never seen it done. It would actually be very difficult to do this way.

The only reason that I can think that only the clutch surface would be machined would be if the pressure plate spigots could not be removed.

I have seen it.

BradM

What makes a clutch slip? Hydrolics usually fail with the pedal going to the floor, ie, not being able to engage the clutch.

Slipping - caused by the throwout bearing not coming right back to where it should keeping the pressure plate partly engaged, the pressure plate being stuffed or the friction plate wearing down to a point where the pressure plate cannot hold the required amount of force on it.

The other answer may be that it is just a crappo friction or pressure plate or the rear engine seal is leaking spewing oil into the clutch.

The only real answer if it is not a hydrolic problem is to have a look. I suspect the machining.

BradM

I doubt if it would be the machining.
If they remove the cover plate dowels the whole face of the flywheel can be machined so there shouldn't be a problem.
Did this six months ago on a 300Tdi (basically the same) including balancing everything ('cause I'm a pedant)

Paul/Defender 200Tdi had a slippage problem a few years back with an AP plate/cover assy that had been installed by a previous owner about 70,000km prior, and for the life of me I can't remember what he found, but I think it may have been a weak diaphragm/crook fingers.

As I said I have not seen the Disco LR clutch setup. If they are done straight across the fly wheel, as some other makes can have a receess where the plate actually fits into, then as you say it should not be the problem.

If it's not the fluid system it will need to come out to see. As it is not that old, it is starting to sound like a crappy pressure or clutch plate.

BradM