pressure plate and clutch plate

[paulandchez]

Now I've got the engine out, I've taken off the pressure and clutch plate so I can get the engine on my stand. Having never dealt with these before, i was wondering what condition is good or bad. I've read people saying they've seen discolouring so have changed them. But having never looked at these before, I'm not sure of a baseline if that makes sense. The back of the pressure plate (the shiny bit) is a mix of shiny silver and bluey bits all over it, obviously due to heat, and the part on the fly wheel is the same. Now I'd expect some colour because they're going to got a bit hot, but can someone explain good and bad for me? Also the clutch plate looks worn but again, I've never seen a new one?

Any help would be appreciated

[kevtherev]

Was there a problem with your clutch?
Is it old?
For what a new LUK clutch, plate & release bearing kit costs, I would replace as a matter of course.

You can have the flywheel dial gauged to check for flatness. If is warped it can be skimmed

[paulandchez]

Thanks for the reply.

No I didn't have any issues with the clutch, I'm doing some engine work, but like you said, whilst it's out I may as well change other bits now if required. I've managed to get some pics now....



The flywheel is similar to the plate in colour, but if all that matters is that it's flat, I can stick a DTI on myself and check it. Anyone know the tolerance allowed?? I've got the Bentley manual, and its great, but doesn't go into details about colour etc

Thanks

[itchyfeet]

that clutch has had it, it's nearly down to the rivets, get a new 3 part kit including release bearing.

If you had no problems before don't bother with the flywheel runout , discolouring is common in my experience.

[Ian Hulley]

that clutch has had it, it's nearly down to the rivets, get a new 3 part kit including release bearing.

If you had no problems before don't bother with the flywheel runout , discolouring is common in my experience.

Agreed completely

Ian

[paulandchez]

Thanks for the input guys. I've had a quote for a sachs kit £89.95 +vat so think I'll get it ordered so it's ready for when I'm putting engine back in.

Thanks

[itchyfeet]

yes Sachs I think is best, Aidan hinted that LUK clutches may cause problems

[kevtherev]

my LUK is.. after several years and 90,000 miles

[itchyfeet]

just maybe they have changed their quality in the last several years much line VW themselves
as I say suggested by a man who knows about these things.

[California Dreamin]

LUK and Sach were always the original options back in the 80's. My father inlaw (who was my foreman at the time when we were both working at a main Volkswagen Audi dealership in Nottingham) used to say LUK's 'go heavy' as they wear and this was the general consensus amoungst the other mechanics on the workshop floor. I'm not sure how much of this was fact ......however, chances are and the way multinationals work nowadays, parts are sourced and rebadged under their own brand so who knows which factory they rolled off.

Martin

[faggie]

paul inspect the flywheel for hairline cracks

[paulandchez]

Ok will do mate