Clutch alignment tool???

[longbow]

I thought getting hold of a tool for twin plate clutches would be fairly simple, but I can't find details of one anywhere!! Apart from hacking of the input shaft of a dead T5, can any one advise how to do this??? cheers in advance!

[simonsparrow]

The only thing I can think of is to machine one up from some wooden dowling, or mabye make one up from assorted tubes/rods. It only need to work once I guess

Good luck!

[longbow]

Hi simon - thats a good idea but I think I'd struggle to get the splines right!!Suppose I could remove the bellhousing and mate the gearbox up to the engine, and then tighten the bolts that way...... Would need to make sure the alignment was right thou... I remember there was a second hand Cerbera clutch that was up on ebay a week or so ago, and the ad said that a gearbox input shaft was included to aid fitment - don't suppose the buyer is on here by any chance???

[simonsparrow]

Could you use a strip of metal to line the splines up (assuming there are splines on opposite sides that are 180 degress apart)? i.e. strip of metal would look like a plan view of a clutch alignment tool....

[longbow]

Or how about a GRP resin moulding!?!? Never done that before, but GRP would be strong enough surely? Dab on some release agent, smear some gel coat resin around the shaft, remove once hard and then make a copy using a similar method??? There is a picture of exactly what I need, but its for a mitsubishi 3000GT!!! www.amber-performance.co.uk/shop.p

[edhorne]

Speak to these people. [url] www.gearboxman.co.uk/contact.html [/url]

When I was doing my slave cylinder they said that they would have an old input shaft lying around that I could have. I didn't get it in the end but I'm sure they could send you one.

Cheers

Ed

[ridds]

Previously on other cars I've just done it by eye. Ensuring gaps are even around the clutch and that it looks central. Never caused and probs.

[longbow]

Yes but its the twin plate thats the issue, as once the clutch is screwed down, if the splines on each plate are not exactly in line, the gearbox won't mate up. I think I'll manage it be removing the bell housing and mating up the box to the clutch that way - I've just tried it but couldn't remove the bell housing without a 10mm allen key - a normal hex won't do, as there isn't enough clearance against the gearbox casing. Guess it'll have to wait till next weekend!! I've looked in the engine rebuild manual, and the 'clutch alignment tool' is blatantly a T5 input shaft!!! Thanks for the ideas guys!!

[mad mark]

I bought an alignment tool off ebay a short while ago, quite cheap it was too. But I cant remember where from.

When i did use it after aligning the plates up, I still managed to knock them out of line when putting the box back.

What I found works well, (assuming you've not drained the clutch fluid) is to align the plates up as best as you can, tighten clutch and fit bellhousing. Offer up the g.box and then get someone to put their foot on the clutch pedal, thus allowing the plates to move free and slide onto the input shaft.
Slides in like a slippery thing on a slippery slope.

[ridds]

longbow said:

Yes but its the twin plate thats the issue, as once the clutch is screwed down, if the splines on each plate are not exactly in line, the gearbox won't mate up. I think I'll manage it be removing the bell housing and mating up the box to the clutch that way - I've just tried it but couldn't remove the bell housing without a 10mm allen key - a normal hex won't do, as there isn't enough clearance against the gearbox casing. Guess it'll have to wait till next weekend!! I've looked in the engine rebuild manual, and the 'clutch alignment tool' is blatantly a T5 input shaft!!! Thanks for the ideas guys!!

Good point forgot about that.

[alinton]

Guy that did mine recently used a spare input shaft he had lying around, I think he said it was from a ford escort.

Maybe a trip to the scrappy?

If you're interested I'll ask him tomorrow to make sure what it was from.

Andy.

[Julian64]

Last time I did this (not on a cerb) I just used a turned down piece of bar and lined the splines by eye. It worked no problem but I can see a splined shaft would be nice.