AAZ conversion Spigot bearing - How much to fit?

[evantis121]

Hi,

My AAZ engined T25 is suffering from serious juddering unless you get the clutch just right. Its getting on my nerves and I read somewhere that its essential to fit a spigot bearing. Its sounds like a messy job, how much would it cost an experienced mechanic to do it? And secondly where would I find one that knows his onions about the t25 AAZ conversions in SE England? I've had my run-ins with so-called experts in the past and don't want to go through that again.!!

BTW, its difficult to get into reverse at times, would doing this job help or not?

Thanks in advance

[Jakemate]

If you have no spigot bearing you can run the risk of oil seal failure at the gearbox end which can leak on the clutch, I'd be surprised if someone has forgot to fit one.

[evantis121]

Ah, ok. What about the yo-yoing of the engine on its mounts if the rev's drop? is that nothing to do with the spigot? I'd read somewhere its absence caused the engine to "judder".

[dekhelia]

Fitting a spigot bearing should be a couple of hours' labour at most. Support the 'box, undo the bellhousing bolts, driveshaft bolts, rear gearbox bracket bolt, remove gearbox from engine. Fit spigot bearing, then put it back together.

Need to be sure that the lack of a spigot bearing is the problem first, though.

[evantis121]

Right. Thanks for explanation for what's involved. This might sound stupid but is there any way of finding out if there is a spigot there in the first place?

[HarryMann]

In neutral with the clutch up then the clutch down you migjt find quite a difference in rattle.. prob. More with it up. Though this test usually reflects input shaft bearing play.

Unless you know for sure it's possible but unlikely it was fitted without one though it could be worn or fitted badly.

It isn't the first port of call for judder though.
Have you read the Wikipedia on clutch installs?

First jemmy the engine and gearbox mounts a bit to see if they are soft split or delaminating.
Clutch operating arm.. freedpm of rotation & fork burrs stone off... greasy splines... worn or distorted centre plate. Etc
Probably need to drop gearbox down. Easy. Inspect everything with eyeball. Fit new clutch & release brg as per wiki attention to detail. Clean splines & lightly grease with mb grease. Clean degrease flywheel face etc.

A small amount of judder can be tolerated on older vans.

Check flywheel face clean unblued and not contaminated.

Not uncommon on AAZ installs that are often thrown in with little cleanliness checking or care.

[evantis121]

Thanks HarryMann....again! From what you've described it could be a lot of things. I did mention it to a mechanic that was working on it a while back. He had a look at the mounts which he reckoned were fine and came to the conclusion that it was most likely some issue with the injector pump. Sounded a bit "expensive" to me so I promptly forgot about it as I haven't used the van much. The first long outing of the year will be Dorset Volkfest this weekend so I'll see if I master the clutch change.

[dekhelia]

Right. Thanks for explanation for what's involved. This might sound stupid but is there any way of finding out if there is a spigot there in the first place?

Once the gearbox is off you'll be able to see whether a spigot bearing has been installed in the crank end. A torch will help. You'll be able to see the insert, and if you stick your little finger in there you'll be able to feel the bearings, which are partly exposed.

[evantis121]

Thanks for the useful info. I'll investigate next time its up on a ramp. Cheers lads