TheSamba.com :: View topic - Pressure plate springs collapsing when tightened to flywheel

Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:47 pm

Hey everyone, Ive been searching and havent been able to figure this out. I just purchased a new 12 volt flywheel, clutch, t/o bearing, and pressure plate from CIP1 and I read the book and intalled accoring to the text. When I was done I could not press the pedal an inch downward. Upon removal and reinspection, I noticed that as I unbolted the pressure plate, I noticed the prong springs releasing and the centering ring extending outward about 10mm until the pressure plate was off and at rest. Is it normal for it to compress this much just on installation? I'm thinking that the play that normally is caused by the t/o bearing pressing on the plate is now being caused by just bolting it in and there is no more play for the use of the t/o bearing. Any ideas? Thanks!

Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:21 pm

Are you using a diaphram or 3 finger coil spring type pressure plate?

Sounds like yours is a diaphram. Yes as you tighten the pressure plate to the flywheel the spring fingers (whether diaphram or 3 finger coil) will collapse toward the center.

It sounds like your free play is not adjusted correctly. Be sure to loosen up your wing nut or lock nut on your cable with a new clutch. Then after the engine is back in adjust it properly.

Another posibilty is an incorrectly assembled throw out bearing to throw out shaft.

Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:27 pm

Yes it is,thats the force the springs use to hold the clutch engaged...its the effort you feel when stepping on the clutch pedal..

Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:40 pm

Thanks for the quick reply. I backed the wing nut off all the way to let the throw out bearing arms rest on the back of the trans. With it in this same adjustment and the motor in, I can press the clutch pedal down about an inch where the t/o bearing probably contacts the pressure plate then there's no movement at all. It feels like I'm going to tear the cable in two. Ahh. Thanks for your help

Fri Aug 19, 2011 8:30 pm

sounds like you put the disk in backwards

Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:50 pm

You need to make sure you have the right style of pressure plate for the throwout bearing you are using. The pressure plate should have a collar on it.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=148307

Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:15 pm

I you have a diaphram type plate, the springs are supposed to be about flat when you have it bolted down

If the springs are concave; tilted inward toward the disk, that would mean it's too tight for some reason.

If they are convex, tilting out a bit, that could mean the disk is worn

Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:47 pm

I have the right combo of pressure plate and bearing. I put the disc in with the flat side towards the flywheel and the nose toward the trans. My arms are about flat as well. I appreciate all the help. I think I'm going to look for binding elsewhere. It was supposed to be a stock replacement set up. Could I have gotten like a crazy strong pressure plate?

Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:50 pm

Measure the disc, some of the cheap ones are too thick and won't let the preasure plate release.

Sat Aug 20, 2011 5:32 am

CoffinCustoms wrote: I have the right combo of pressure plate and bearing. I put the disc in with the flat side towards the flywheel and the nose toward the trans. My arms are about flat as well. I appreciate all the help. I think I'm going to look for binding elsewhere. It was supposed to be a stock replacement set up. Could I have gotten like a crazy strong pressure plate?
measure the thickness of clutch disc. chinese ones are known to be too thick.

Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:03 am

Some latemodel clutch discs center hubs..the reaction carrier...is too wide for early pressure plates,the release levers hit the hub of the disc,causing the same issue you have.

Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:01 am

I'll measure it up today. This is the kit I bought... http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D211%2D140%2D025%2DBKIT

It came with an unsprung clutch disc. What would this do differently than a sprung one?

Thanks!

Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:31 am

What year is your transmission?
CoffinCustoms wrote: , I can press the clutch pedal down about an inch where the t/o bearing probably contacts the pressure plate then there's no movement at all.
If you have the pressure plate off the car, set it down on the ground and stand on it with your heel on the center. Does it articulate?

Sat Aug 20, 2011 12:50 pm

The trans is a 66 that was just rebuilt and machined for a 12v flywheel by rancho. Yea when I stepped on it yesterday it compressed. It's not as easy to press in as my 180mm 3 arm pressure plate but that's expected.

Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:12 pm

Your symptoms sound just like those of mixing the early throwout bearing with late style pressure plate. Since you've already mentioned having the correct parts I'd suspect the clutch disk is too thick - as others already pointed out. The spring center hub is there to take up some of the shock of engaging the clutch quickly. I've never seen one interfere with the pressure plate or flywheel. It is possible to have a clutch cable hanging up or the throwout arm binding up.

Thu Oct 06, 2011 5:20 pm

I am having the same issue with this pressure plate and throwout bearing kit from CIP1 that this gentleman is having. I did not use the unsprung disk that came with the kit however, but a new Sachs spring disk. I am wondering if these Euromax pressure plate diaphram fingers are sprung too far out on assembly from the factory?

Thu Oct 06, 2011 6:52 pm

does anyone know if both axles are suppose to turn in every gear or is there just one axle turning all thew time thanks 65 swing axle