Cause of Clutch Disaster?

[fony3]

So last week I was driving back from lunch and the clutch pedal seemed to get really stiff, to the point I almost couldn't get it to the floor. Couldn't really find any useful info on the net other than keep driving it. Friday I was driving on blackfoot and heard a big clunk and lost my clutch functionality, and somehow was able to limp into the blackfoot motorsports parking lot. After that all I could hear when the engine was running was scrapping coming from the tranny...

Today a buddy and I pulled the tranny out and discovered this epic failure, there were ball bearings everywhere...Do I need a special tool to get that bearing and clutch fork off, or should it slide off? we didn't try too hard as we knew we were done for the night..Also, anyone know what could have caused such a thing? Anything I should look at before popping in a new clutch and release bearing, specifically if I could have cause more damage?





Cheers,
Brad

[Rubi03 jef]

ur release bearing was dried out and started to wear off teh fingers on the pressure plate .. and adventualy wore right through them . and thats why you had no more clutch because there was nothign for your bearin gto push against .
this has happened to me

as for removal of your bearing it just slides off with ease . replace the bearing grease the shaft it is on and install new pressure plate    and if you are in there you mine as well change the clutch as well  and put it all back together .

the cause is most likely

to much mud at one point  and it slowly dried out the bearing causeing it to fail

hope that helps

[hps4evr]

when you remove the fork and old release bearing inspect the transmission input bearing retainer. thats the cylinder shaped thing that the release bearing rides on. ive seen a few that split that retainer in 2. and its about 150$ to replace on its own. if the retainer isnt damaged or grooved then you should be fine. dont lose the clutch fork pivot spring either. dont put too much grease on the retainer, i think the new bearing has some on the inside where it rides on the retainer. clean out the bell housing of all the clutch dust. lube the slutch fork pivot ball. check the flywheel for heat marks and cracks. up to you if you want to chnage the pilot bearing at this point.
get a clutch kit with new release/throw-out bearing. as long as the flywheel and the input bearing retainer are fine then it should go back together just fine. after everything has been replaced you'll probably notice the clutch pedal is really light and easy to press. kinda normal after everything is new and greased up.
if you want a beefier clutch check some of the shops around town. should be able to get you soemthing decent, some kits come with flywheels. i ordered a zoom clutch kit with flywheel for about 400$.
good luck, post pics if you're not sure what to look for.

[Mikey]

Looks like the throw out bearing toasted itself. The fingers on the pressure plate although worn look to be in tack. Do yoirself a favour and have the flywheel machined and buy a centerforce clutch and pressure plate.

[Rubi03 jef]

Looks like the throw out bearing toasted itself. The fingers on the pressure plate although worn look to be in tack. Do yoirself a favour and have the flywheel machined and buy a centerforce clutch and pressure plate.

your smoking crack   fingers on the presure plate are gone theres 1/2 inch missing on every single one

[Mikey]

And obviously you are a prick. What do you think made those fingers shiny elves? I'm sure your opinion is backed by years of experience. If you would like to have a difference of opinion with me that's fine. I would however suggest next time you be a little more civilized

[Mikey]

And BTW the brand new center force on my bench right now along with the stock one the fingers AR only 3/8 so i don't  know were you got your measurements from. 

[Rubi03 jef]

And obviously you are a prick. What do you think made those fingers shiny elves? I'm sure your opinion is backed by years of experience. If you would like to have a difference of opinion with me that's fine. I would however suggest next time you be a little more civilized

im not a prick im french i just come accross very rude .. it happens alot .   

and theres nothing wrong with smoking crack as long as your not on a CJA run hahahahha  just messing with you people why is everyone so up tight
man what happened to the days when you could just tell someone to go F$@k them selves   with a smile

well im sure buddy will look into a better then OEM clutch

[Mikey]

On the web no one can see you smile, no worries though.

[hps4evr]

your smoking crack   fingers on the presure plate are gone theres 1/2 inch missing on every single one

he is french, but he is right as well. the tips of the fingers on the clutch pressure plate are worn away. ive seen it happen many times. if there were pics of the old and new pressure plate side by side it would be real obvious.

[BUKI]

centerforce  kicks @$$.
 hehe.  I just wanted some attention

[Rubi03 jef]

he is french, but he is right as well. the tips of the fingers on the clutch pressure plate are worn away. ive seen it happen many times. if there were pics of the old and new pressure plate side by side it would be real obvious.

thank you ..


im doing my i told you so dance right now .. ahhahahah   

[FiEND]

Looks like the throw out bearing toasted itself. The fingers on the pressure plate although worn look to be in tack. Do yoirself a favour and have the flywheel machined and buy a centerforce clutch and pressure plate.

I 100% dissagree.  do not have the flywheel machined and do not buy a centerforce.  if I ever have a V8 I may go back to centerforce

[hps4evr]

I 100% dissagree.  do not have the flywheel machined and do not buy a centerforce.  if I ever have a V8 I may go back to centerforce

why so? did the centreforce give your left leg too much of a work out???  some of them are stiff.

[FiEND]

Pretty much yea lol.    I didn't mind it but man did it ever suck in traffic.  I went with stock clutch strength and like it much better now except I got the flywheel machined so it knocks if I don't get off to a good start or ride the clutch a bit.  Nothing that needs quick repair though.  I read on many many sites after where people had issues like mine after machining.  Might have been ok with a centerforce though.