aaddpp

I was working on removing the clutch in my car today. I've been following the WSM and whatever writeups I can find, but I ran into an issue which I'm not sure normal or not, and I was hoping someone could offer some guidance.

I pulled the lower bell housing, and then started to loosen the clamp that joins the toque tube and central shaft. Bolts were tight, but eventually came out. I tried to slide the clamp (long version) back but it didn't move. I hit it with some penetrating fluid, and used a screw driver to work the clamp a bit to loosen it - always careful of the shaft splines.

As the clamp moved back, it pulled the central shaft back with it, ending up as shown in the photo. Tried to gently push it forward again, but its not having any of that. Was wondering if this s this normal? If not any precautions / suggestions?

Thanks,
Dave

aaddpp

Opps, forgot to include it, but here is a photo of the clamp and shafts as I found them.

Hilton

That short splined shaft is supposed to move - one end of it is pushed into the pilot bearing on the end of the crank, and to drop the clutch you need to pull it aft about three quarters of an inch to disengage, so the clutch pack can drop.

The short shaft is only held in place in the pilot bearing by the clamp on the TT - the clutch disc slides along it fore/aft as the clutch engages and releases.

Consider yoruself lucky that yours moves - sometimes the pilot bearing breaks up and jams it, forcing you to destroy the bearing and have major headaches getting the inner and outer parts of the bearing shell off.

Dave928S

As Hilton said, it needed to slide back anyway and disengage from the pilot bearing in the end of the crank, so that you can drop the clutch pack. FYI .... It won't easily slide forward to its original position, probably because it's not perfectly lined up with the pilot bearing bore after being pulled back.

SeanR

It needs to move pretty freely. It might be a good idea to pull it so you can use the proper lube on the shaft.

aaddpp

Thanks for the responses guys. I've read some of the nightmare pilot bearing posts, so i was hoping the ease with which the central shaft moved would be a good sign. I picked up suitable shim materal tonight, so a few more steps and I should be there.