Newbie with a throw out bearing issue

[Sstgermain]

Hi Everyone, my bug starting squeaking and groaning, at first it would go away when I pushed the clutch, after a few hours it didn’t make a difference. My first try idea was changing the transaxle fluid but that didn’t help.
I’ve pulled the engine and the bearing seems to spin freely. Can any see something that I don’t?

Thanks

[67rustavenger]

Check the pilot bearing in the gland nut behind the pressure plate.
The input shaft from the trans that is inserted into the pilot bearing looks dry.
There should be some amount of grease on the shaft and in the pilot bearing.
Some, not allot.

Make sure that before you undo the pressure plate. You have the clutch alignment tool to get things back in place.

Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Sstgermain]

Thank you, I’ll pull it apart and have a look. Just a little high pressure grease on the shaft?

[VW_Jimbo]

Also, check your crankshaft endplay. That clutch engagement detail makes me think it is the engine. When you push on the clutch pedal, the throwout bearing engages the pressure plate. The force being applied to the pressure plate is also being applied back by the crankshaft thrust bearing. You know, Newton, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, irt is the crankshaft.

What does the engine oil look like? Sump plate? Can you move the crankshaft? Using both hands, grab the crankshaft pulley and push the pulley into the engine, then pull it back towards you. How much did it move? Should be .003 - .005 with a wear limit of .006. If that crankshaft moves more than that, you have noise!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[67rustavenger]

Honestly, I use wheel bearing grease.
Put a dab on the pinky finger and run it around the inside of the bearing. You also want to lube the input shaft splines lightly. Where the clutch disc rides on it. Then wipe it off with a shop rag leaving the splines filled with the residual grease.
Just don't over due the bearing disc lube. There's room in the engine end of the gland nut for excess lube. But if you fill that space.
You can hydraulically drive the pilot bearing out of the gland nut.
I have seen it done on a Corvair pilot bushing.

Good Luck.
_________________
I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!

There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo!

[Cusser]

[Sstgermain]

Thanks Cusser, that’s what I figured and why I started with changing the transaxle fluid. On a good note my trans shifts beautifully now lol

I change the engine oil twice a year even with my short driving season. I did the oil and valves back in April when I took it out of storage. I’ll measure endplay and have a look at the pilot bearing in the morning.
Thanks again for the help

[Cusser]

[Sstgermain]

Well it looks to me like it’s the gland nut. It’s dry and whatever the PO used for grease is more like glue. The endplay was good so a new glad nut and bearing it is.

[ashman40]

[VW_Jimbo]

I agree Ashman40, The wear is only on the outer edge of the PP and disc. Never seen that. I would replace with new. Not worth the money to put in and try, to only have to remove again..

Hey, if the Gland nut was bad, what did the input shaft end look like? They sometimes get all chewed up when the gland nut goes bad!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Sstgermain]

The fingers on the PP all look even but I will definitely install a new clutch and PP. the end of the shaft looks fine but I’ll add a picture. I do remember an old VW guy one day say that the motor was an old industrial engine and that it’s probably a 180mm and a HD clutch should be used. Maybe that’s the issue.
Thanks again for all the info!

[Sstgermain]

Upon closer inspection.... the centre of the PP looks to be off centered and the throw out bearing has some pretty serious wear on both retaining ears.

[VW_Jimbo]

The input shaft looks good.

The PP has a lot wrong with it. Hot spots, discoloration, uneven surface wear. Just really odd.

What does the flywheel look like?


The TO looks wasted. Really high heat. Badly discolored. Replace that too.Put a small dab of high temp grease on the throw out arm, where the TO bearing sits in it. It will keep the TO bearing from looking like the ears of that one does! That nasty looking!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Sstgermain]

VW_Jimbo thanks for the tip on the arm that’s a great idea.
Here’s a picture of the flywheel, the surface is smooth to the touch even though it looks like groves in the picture.

[VW_Jimbo]

Are there chatter marks where the gland nut washer would be? Looked different than normal.

Maybe it was all just an improperly torqued gland nut! Would explain the odd wear pattern!
_________________
Jimbo

There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!

[Sstgermain]

VW_Jimbo there is some marks where the glandnut meets the flywheel. There’s some blue spots on the flywheel from heat. There was also no O ring on the back of the flywheel. I’ll bring it in to see if it can be resurfaced if not I’ll replace it. Doesn’t make sense to change everything else and leave the flywheel in this condition.

Thanks again!

[Horance]

This may be a silly question but can the Pilot beating in the gland nut be replaced?

[ashman40]

[ashman40]