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I got my 1991 project car up in the air last night for the first time; part of the total inspection. I opened up the flex plate cover, which is missing the two bolts toward the rear-end, to check any visual pressure toward the engine. Found this clamp, which is unlike any I've seen on the write-ups about the flex plate, without a release bolt. Are the release bolts on the side? When I put a straight object against the plate, I can see about a 1.5 to 2mm gap, when should be flat, but how do I release the pressure?
Unless I am mistaken that looks like Constantine's Superclamp. If so it is a taper clamp with six allen bolts on the side that are used to tighten it up.
Once that thing is set it should not move period and I would be surprised if there is any pre-load on the flex plate unless it was set incorrectly in the first place or not torqued correctly. See:
You should probably check the rear clamp and bolt before you do anything to the front.
The shaft may have moved inside the rear clamp.
Remove and inspect the rear pinch clamp bolt for abrasions from the splines.
You should probably check the rear clamp and bolt before you do anything to the front.
The shaft may have moved inside the rear clamp.
Remove and inspect the rear pinch clamp bolt for abrasions from the splines.
What he said. These clamps don't move. You need an allen wrench to loosen the 6 (IIRC) screws and separate the plate.
I have this clamp. It's the schnizel. (or whatever that word is)
Good call Fred. Thanks OTT18WHEELER and Jeff. I forgot to check the crank end play when I had it in the air...next time. Good to know that someone might have taken care of this shark before. I wonder if the PO installed the super bearings also. Well; my inspection continues. Now I have to get it started, but that's another thread.
Replacement of the rear pinch bolt is an important element of the jig saw puzzle here. The Superclamp will not let go but the rear pinch bolt can loosen/deform and allow some slippage thus the consensus is to replace this bolt before it becomes problematical.
Thus if you do have some deflection in the flex plate it could be caused by slippage at the rear. if you do not know the history of this bolt then simply replace it. The coupling at the rear has a small detente in the shaft that the bolt slides into and you should be able to see this once the rear pinch bolt is removed. Check this bolt for signs of damage and ensure the new bolt slides in easily. if the thing has slipped you will need to realign this correctly.
The correct word would be Shiz-nick. Constantine's clamp is the Shiz-nick!
In England we use the expression "The dog's bollocks" - we are quite a crude lot really with an excellent sense of humour and very dry in my native Yorkshire.
I'm removing the TT and transmission on my car. I loosened the Allen bolts on the Constantine clamp but I cannot get the shaft to move at all! It's like still glued! Do I have to completely remove the bolts? Thanks....
Its the Torque Tube rear coupling " Single " inhex bolt that stretches and the T /Tube quill shaft migrates forward
We have never had a single issue with the front coupling , its the rear coupling that causes the engine flex plate deflection
Think about it , if it was the front coupling the flex plate could not hold its deflection , it would simply slide back on the male / female splines ( very simple physics )
So in the case of you're S4 Haroldo , I would leave the non genuine coupling as is and just go to the rear coupling & you will find that the coupling inhex bolt ( only one ) will not be tight enough , because its stretched , reset the quill shaft ( via the front coulpng area ) , install a new rear coupling inhex bolt and torque up , do not loctite the new inhex bolt it in place as the loctite will not prevent the stretch of the bolt over time , but will interfere with the re-torquing check in a year or two from now , meaning the loctite will make it feel as if the bolt is tight ( this part is very important )
Thank you. It makes total sense, but I was referring to how to disconnect the TT. I'm bringing down my transmission and TT. I disconnected the four bolts that hold the TT to the bell housing. I softened up the bolts in the Constantine clamp. I try pulling the transmission and TT back but I can't get the splines to slide out. I've tried to pry the TT from the bell housing but I can see the flex plate move back...the shaft doesn't slide out. It should? Right? Thanks
Last edited by hr928; 06-09-2016 at 10:54 PM.
Reason: Adding picture
Take the 6 bolts in the super clamp all the way out. You may need to help persuade the two tapered parts that the bolts are holding together to separate to get it to release on the spline. Once the tapers are pulled together they clamp on the spine very tight so you need to get it to unlock.
Take the 6 bolts in the super clamp all the way out. You may need to help persuade the two tapered parts that the bolts are holding together to separate to get it to release on the spline. Once the tapers are pulled together they clamp on the spine very tight so you need to get it to unlock.
Thanks Roger...that did the trick! Took all the bolts out and tapped it with a mallet and it all came loose.
BTW; I had called Constantine on Friday late in the afternoon and he called me today early. SUPER NICE GUY! Very knowledgeable and easy going!
10-07-2015, 12:40 PM
Flex Plate checking
