Check Clutch Wear - Engine out but clutch still installed

[davidw99]

Hello,

Is it possible to check clutch wear with the clutch still installed on the engine, engine out of car? I'm having a hard time visualizing the edge of the clutch disk. Wondering if it is possible or if there some info I'm missing.
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Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.

[Zundfolge1432]

Remove the pressure plate grab the clutch disc and using an 8mm open end wrench should just fit the thickness. This has worked for years. You can clean it and the flywheel with brake cleaner or lacquer thinner, don’t forget to lube the gland nut and you’ll need a line up tool to put it back together, those bolts get 18 ft lbs take em down evenly. Use a screwdriver for a flywheel lock.

[davidw99]

I was hoping to avoid that by getting a "peek" at the edge of the clutch disc but, as I have the engine out of the car, I guess I'll do as you suggest. Thank you.
_________________
Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.

[Cali_Army_Guy]

[Zundfolge1432]

[sjbartnik]

Yeah it's literally what, 6 bolts, and the pressure plate is off.

You may find a flywheel lock handy for torquing the pressure plate bolts back to spec when re-installing.

Also you want to loosen the pressure plate bolts in a cross-wise pattern and evenly so as not to warp the pressure plate. I may be a bit over-cautious about that but I like to do about 1 turn of each bolt in a cross-wise pattern until all the spring tension is relieved.

Same for re-installation.

For reinstalling you will want to have handy one of those clutch alignment tools that all the VW stores sell for a couple bucks.
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1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Cusser]

Definitely check the ling thickness and for and oil film on the disc, pressure plate, or flywheel while you're so close !!!

[davidw99]

Thank you all. I'll take care of it this weekend.
_________________
Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.

[bluebus86]

a breaker bar on the pulley nut can also be used to hold the engine from turning when doing clutch work.


Please mark the clutch so it is remounted in same position. often the flywheel,is balanced with the clutch, so put it back the same way for best results.

also while the motor is out, check the crank endplay, just because you can


Good Luck, Bug On, With Smart Shifting!
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Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[KTPhil]

Yes, any time the engine is out, do the following:
1) Check crank endplay and record it in a log.
2) Check clutch lining thickness.
3) Check the TO bearing and mounts.
4) Make sure there is thick grease in the pilot bearing, but not too much.
5) Check your starter bushing.
6) Check your axle boots, and make sure your tranny fill plug is easily removed.
7) Do any general cleanup and inspection of rubber parts, wiring and tinware while you have easy access.

These are impossible or a PITA with the engine in place, so make life easy and do this stuff now.

[Cusser]

[davidw99]

Numbers:

1 - hadn't thought about this, will do

2 - will do

3 - checks ok

4 - also, hadn't thought about this, will do

5 - replaced

6 - replaced

7 - done

8 - done

9 - old one gone, new one to be installed along with new firewall grommet

10 - replaced along with front

Also, engine compartment seals replaced and missing engine cooling tin to be installed.
_________________
Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.

[mukluk]

This is also the perfect time to do a really good cleanup of the engine bay, fix any wiring issues for tail&backup lights, replace firewall insulation, replace leaky swingaxle boots, check the transaxle output shaft seal, replace the starter bushing, rebuild/refresh the starter....
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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[Cusser]

[davidw99]

[gt1953]

({I replaced my 1970's engine seals for first time last year; they were harder than a teenager in the 1960s seeing his first Ann-Margret movie !})
Cusser I had an electronics instructor whom compared electronic associated stuff to sex. Did you ever teach??
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Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.

72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold})

[KTPhil]

I had a junior high school electronics teacher back in the early 70s who was very naïve and didn't know why the whole class was laughing hysterically when he instructed us on the art of soldering: "A tight connection is a necessary prerequisite to a proper joint."

[Cusser]

[davidw99]

OK, I checked the clutch and it looks almost brand new. A Brazilian-made SACHS rigid disc. Everything else under the pressure plate checks out good, too. It was easy. Glad I did it. Thanks everyone.
_________________
Dave

'73 Saturn Yellow Sports Bug that has undergone a full pan off restoration. "Herbert IV."

'67 Sedan. "Bellamy." Currently being "refreshed" and recently repainted.