RIP Vinnie's Clutch

[Dub-Diva]

Vinnie's clutch is deaded and it's an engine out job to replace it... :( It appears the clutch release plate has given up the ghost and needs replacing, I think it's the stop-start traffic of school runs that's killed it.

Despite Mr Diva fettling about with Vinnie and making him ok again, after a week he has got worse again and it's so hard to get him into gear sometimes. Mr Diva adjusted things again at the weekend but they won't last very long, and I'm worried something else will get damaged or break if we don't get it sorted soon.

So, next week (luckily it's half-term so we won't need the car for a couple of days) we're having a whole new clutch kit put in Vinnie whilst his engine is out - it's more sensible in the long run, since the labour is £200 :eek:

[Kowalski]

Oh well look on the bright side, while the engine is out you can tidy up and / or repaint stuff if needed. Will you be doing it yourself?

[1958 Harry]

Its a dead easy job dropping the engine and changing the clutch, you doing it yourselves?

[Shamrockez]

Is he 6v or 12v? And what engine?

[Dub-Diva]

Wasn't planning on doing it ourselves... know it should be fairly easy but not sure we can do it...

He's 12v and has a twin kadron carb 1600 engine with deep sump and an extra oil cooler.

[Shamrockez]

Has the release bearing been changed to suit the 12v 1600 clutch? If so, you'll need to change the release bearing otherwise they're a ticking time bomb for when they fail.

You'll be able to do it no problem :)

[Dub-Diva]

Has the release bearing been changed to suit the 12v 1600 clutch? If so, you'll need to change the release bearing otherwise they're a ticking time bomb for when they fail.

You'll be able to do it no problem :)

errrrrr pass! GSF told me the clutch kit comes with everything we need and included the release plate thingy that's gone belly up.

How long would it take? The garages I've spoken to have said between 3 and 4 hours...

[Shamrockez]

3-4hrs seems about right.

Make sure you have matching release bearing and clutch when they arrive.

This style clutch:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a309/Shamrockez7/Joey/bae9117a.jpg

Goes with this style bearing:
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/pics/to_brg2.jpg

and this style clutch (with the chunky metal ring in the middle):
http://www.machine7.com/shopimages/products/normal/250-dscf1301.jpg

You need this style release bearing:
http://www.nls.net/mp/volks/pics/to_brg1.jpg



They will both work when miss-matched but it's only a matter of time until the release bearing fails. It could be a few thousand, it could be the first time you try and move the car.

Does that makse sense? :)

[Dub-Diva]

erm yeah, kind of - sure it will make more sense to Mr Diva! lol thanks for the help (as always!)

[Shamrockez]

:lol: if you want me to explain it anymore - just let me know :)

[Duggy]

not a bad job really. i'd be tempted to check / replace the flywheel oil seal while your there.

[Dub-Diva]

not a bad job really. i'd be tempted to check / replace the flywheel oil seal while your there.

Yup, doing that at the same time :)

[yellowbug]

Marc changed the clutch on the van while he was changing the engine, one of the easier jobs to do, all you need is a clutch alignment tool (very cheap) and your away............


.................after you've taken the engine out of course :D

[Dub-Diva]

Update from the garage:

Vinnie's gear problems were caused by a spring failing on the clutch pressure plate, which caused the friction surface ring on the pressure plate to shear off, taking the release bearing with it :eek:


So... a new release bearing and a clutch pressure plate are being installed next week, after they've finished our bus!

Early next week he'll be back and running schweeeet again..... ready to be sold :rolleyes:

[Shamrockez]

:eek: sounds like it could have been much worse!

[1958 Harry]

You're not having much luck with clutches at the moment! :lol:

[Dub-Diva]

Luckily, it's an easy fix... clutch kit from GSF and a couple of hours ;)

[Duggy]

You dont even need an alignment tool. I've used a suitably sized deep socket in the past.

one of the easier jobs to do, all you need is a clutch alignment tool (very cheap) and your away

You think that's bad?

In the 70's my dad's Viva went through 5 clutches in 4 years and twice the damage meant a change of gearbox....mind you that was a ****ty Vauzhall :lol:

Update from the garage:

Vinnie's gear problems were caused by a spring failing on the clutch pressure plate, which caused the friction surface ring on the pressure plate to shear off, taking the release bearing with it :eek:


So... a new release bearing and a clutch pressure plate are being installed next week, after they've finished our bus!

Early next week he'll be back and running schweeeet again..... ready to be sold :rolleyes: