Mongo

I purchased a Sachs clutch kit to go along with the rebuild motor and noticed the kit comes with shims. The old clutch in my car still uses the rubber center. I was wondering, is this the reason why there are shims in the box? Is it for building up the disc in order to contact the plate?

joseph mitro

you may need one, two, three, or no shims, just depends. i think i used two.

EDIT - has nothing to do with rubber vs spring centered.

Mongo

How can I tell with these shims and what I would need?

KuHL 951

I had to use all 4 of them when replacing the rubber centered unit on my 83. The 4 shims were on the original clutch still at 160K. You do not want a loose TO bearing after the ordeal of a clutch job. When you assemble it use as many as you can fit and still get the retainer to seat well. Check that retainer very well before buttoning it all up again. Place the PP on the floor and depress it with your knees to move the fingers. Pay close attention the how the old ones are arranged before taking them apart to get the order they were installed.

Mongo

I really wonder what the amount of shims depends on...is it just the amount of play in the release bearing?

Legoland951

Yes. Use all 3 of them or your t/o bearing will slop around and grind the pressure plate springs thin until the whole thing comes apart. Ask me how I know.

Mongo

There's 5 though...

apierce918

good to know, im ordering one later this week

Mongo

I'm confused as to how the shims go on? I see one that has spokes; that one is leaving me baffled.

Legoland951

Take your old pressure plate snap ring out and it will be obvious how it goes in.

Mongo

ok I'll get crackin' tomorrow night then

Thanks for your help!

apierce918

i ran out to the garage and took my old one apart to check, lol.

it stacks as follows from top to bottom

- Snap Ring -
- Metal ring with lip for snap ring -
- Pressure plate -
- toothed shim -
- regular shims - (my original only had 2)
- throwout bearing -