inspecting a clutch

[Boggin]

hey guys.. i have an extra 2.9 and fm145 trans that came with one of my rangers, and the clutch is still attached to the engine, not the tranny. so i was wondering, is there any way i can inspect the clutch to see if it works before i put the 5spd in the ranger so i dont have to put it in and find out its shot then have to remove the trans again?
thanks

 

[OilPatch197]

You need to do a visual inspection. Any time the engine is removed, check the clutch for wear and replace worn components as necessary. The relatively low cost of the clutch components compared to the time and trouble spent gaining access to them warrants their replacement -- unless they are new or in near perfect condition -- anytime the engine is removed.

Disassemble the pressure plate/clutch assembly, be sure to install the pressure plate exactly how you took it off(make a mark)

Inspect the lining on the clutch disk for wear. There should be at least 2mm of friction material remaining above the rivet heads. Check the clutch disk for loose rivets, distortion, cracks, broken springs and other obvious damage.

Carefully inspect the splines inside the hub of the clutch disk and the splines on the transmission input shaft. They must not be broken or distorted.

Clean the friction surface on the flywheel and inspect it for wear, cracks, heat checking, grooves, and other obvious defects. Alternating bright and dull areas indicate a warped plate. A machine shop can machine the surface flat and smooth (highly recommended, regardless of the surface appearance). Light glazing can be removed with medium grit emery cloth.


Inspect the diaphragm spring fingers for excessive wear and make sure they are not distorted or bent.

A shop manual has pictures that REALLY help with things like this, but in a nutshell, inspect, inspect and verify.

 

[adsm08]

yup, what he said.

Make sure nothing is blue too. Some blue is ok, you don't want dark burnt carbon blue.

 

[trail B2]

Look at the tranny for leaks make sure the shifter feels like it will work.When you put in the tranny get the clutch working before you put anything else in.

 

[ozziemo27]

Disassemble the pressure plate/clutch assembly, be sure to install the pressure plate exactly how you took it off(make a mark)

Sorry for the thread jack, but when you pull the pressure plate / cover assembly, what does it matter that you install it the way you took it off?

 

[adsm08]

Sorry for the thread jack, but when you pull the pressure plate / cover assembly, what does it matter that you install it the way you took it off?

Getting the PP and friction disk aligned doesn't matter. Putting a used pressure plate on a used flywheel can cause an imbalance that might cause a vibration, but its rare.

It's more important to make sure you have a clutch alignment tool too get the disk lined up and centered again.

 

[Boggin]

thanks guys. but the engine has been sitting outside for a bit so the clutch has surface rust on it now but i will clean it up an check it out