clutch plate alignment on refit

[ancol]

hi guys fitting a new clutch today how do you make sure both friction plates are correctly aligned so when all tightened onto flywheel the splines align on both plates so when refitting gearbox you know the input shaft is going to go through splines, is there a special tool for this i have fitted loads of clutches over the years but just run of the mill std ones which i have tool for but this is different animal cheers andy

[esso]

If its any help the input shaft from a 2.8 Capri is the same diameter and spline pattern as the Cerb,this is what i used to line them up.

[ancol]

cheers esso will have to try get one then

[edhorne]

HI there

What I've done in the past is fitted the bellhousing without the gearbox and then had an assitant or used a piece of wood to wedge the clutch pedal down so that the plates are disengaged and free to move. The input shaft then picks them up as it goes in and with a little rocking and movement of the output shaft with the 'box in gear to turn the input shaft the splines will line up with the teeth in the plates.

If you are trying to do it on your own then its probably worth getting an alignment tool or another input shaft as suggested.

HTH

Ed

[ancol]

thanks ed came up with a solution this evening what do they say necessity is the mother of invention got an old broom handle measured with micrometer was 24mm take one of the old friction plates and gradually knock the broom handle through the splines bit by bit once had it on about 4 inches kept tapping it up and down till it would slide by hand then cut it to about 10 inches pushed it through new cluth plates and hey presto worked perfectly bolted asembly to flywheel and pulled out wooden shaft and gearbox first motion shaft fitted a treat cheap and easy fix for cerby owners to knock up a tool when fitting their own clutch

[fatjon]

My tip for this problem is to push the gearbox shaft through the clucth and into the spigot bearing before fitting the bellhousing and with the clutch bolts still loose. Then tighten the clutch bolts up, pull out the box and fit the bell knowing it's all lined up.

[Mad Mark]

You can use a tool of various methods as suggested above and all will help, maybe. I use to use a plastic tool bought off ebay. But the best thing to do is to fit the Bellhousing bleed the clutch. Insert the gearbox as far as you can then (as was suggested above) either using a length of wood or a person with a willing foot press down the clutch pedal to free up the plates. (if you are using the person method then prepare them as they will be hearing a few choice swear words coming from beneath the car lol)
If it's not too late another thing to do is to leave the gearbox in gear as you can then turn the input shaft by turning on the prop which also helps.