I'm installing an Andial MWF on my car and I'm up to the step where I need to install the release bearing on the pressure plate.

According to the FSM, the release bearing washer must be orientated such that the groove faces the snap ring. This washer has a tab on the opposite side that intelocks with the "fingers" on the pressure plate, presumably to prevent it from turning.

The new SACHS release bearing kit I have uses a different washer. This one doesn't have a groove and doesn't have the tab that interlocks with the pressure plate fingers. Its perfectly smooth on both sides.

Do I use the reuse the old washer with the "groove" and "tab" or the new one?

Thanks.

On the release bearings I have done, the wire locking ring locks goes between the heavier washer and the body of the release bearing - it takes a press to activate the pressure plate to move the fingers flat so you can get that ring in. Sometimes it can be a bear.

However, I have not seen any tabs that lock these washers with the fingers of the pressure plate, they have been perfectly smooth and could rotate on the pressure plate - I do not think they do because of the pressure of the spring washer on the release bearing side, and it would only have pressure to rotate if dragged along by the release bearing (if the bearing was gummed up or faulty).

Can you post pictures? that would make it much clearer...

Cheers

Mike

I had the same as Mike. If you don't have the WSM's, try and find them on the web in PDF. They show the orientation.

My little press was big enough by a gnat's *** to accept my pp to install the bearing. My old 911, I could do with body weight.

Try the Turbo clutch -- !

Here's a couple photos comparing the washer that came off the pressure plate (left) and the one that came with the Sach's release bearing kit (right);

GYfH8MB.jpg

mrxlMTF.jpg

I ended up installing the one without the tab that came with the release bearing, just thought it was odd there being a difference.

I've never had one with the tab in the three clutches I'd done. While they weren't for LWF, the mechanics are the same, and I wonder what the tab is for?

I have done a few more than that, and also have not seen tabs before. Must of been a previous design. Interesting!

I did a clutch a few weeks ago and the bearing washer had the locking dimple.

Did you source the bearing from Porsche or was it OEM?

Sourced from Sachs

The 993 manual describes the locking tab and notch, citing the specific orientation on install.

The one with the washer was an OEM part installed at a Porsche dealership. The one with no tab is a Sach's kit I sourced from Pelican.

Weird, oh well no tab in there now. That retaining ring was a PITA, I read guys have done it with pressure from their knees, that's impressive.

I have done it with my knees (turbo plate no less) but I find I easier to put a short piece of 2x4 on edge across it and compress the spring with my drill press. No hydraulic press available

No way I could do this without a press or similar setup - and the Turbo is even stiffer. like you, I have read about guys kneeling on it, but I suspect that is the earlier pressure plates that are not quite as stiff.

I noticed the cross section diagram in the shop manuals for the retaining ring, and that it has an external tab of some kind, but I have not seen one in person, even installing a bunch of Porsche sourced parts. Not sure why the variation...

Cheers,

Mike

Actually the last one I did with my knees was a stock Sachs GT3 plate.(red paint marked one) I was trying to do a stock 993 plate a couple weeks ago and it kept turning as I tried to set the lock ring and that,s when I decided to try my drill press.,(since I was doing it single handed). Worked like a charm.

Wow - if I put both knees on the plate there would be no room to get to the bearing.. and I can't see how to get my hands in there - impressive.

I have always used a small desktop press, made up a few jigs, and it seems to work great, and its easy.. :-)

Cheers,

Mike