Slim's 87 hatch.

[Slim]

hello again all. for those that dont know, i am the guy with Kusta's 87 hatch.
as of right now we cant figure out why the clutch wont disengage, it has an ACT 6 puck clutch and sr20 flywheel on it.

this is how the car sat as of last sunday.


today i removed the trans to have a look and see what was up. clutch looks a bit strange, as if the pucks arent touching the flywheel evenly. i almost wonder if thats just because it hasnt worn down flat after not being manufactured as flat as the flywheel? i mean its not like theyre machined, right? here is a pgoto, as best as i could take with the light i had.

you can see some parts of the pucks are shiny, and some arent.
then i pulled the flywheel, and had a look at the input bearing.

im not 100% sure what is going on here. is that a brass sleeve inside the bearing where the shaft enters? im not sure how well the image will come up so i hope you can see. it looks like a brass? sleeve and its mashed. the foreward edge is smashed up and some of it has worn enough that there is a piece of it protruding and mushrooming away from the centre.
here is anoter photo.


so im wondering if because of this, even though it is just a small amount, if maybe when the flywheel was torqued it was mashing the small bit of brass that was coming off of the sleeve and not seating perfectly flat on the bearing causing the clutch and flywheel to be slightly crooked allowing it to always be grabbing the flywheel even with the clutch pedal pushed to the ground? does that theory make any sense to anyone? im kinda taking a shot in the dark here. ideally i would like to keep using this clutch and flywheel, but if theres any question of the issue i think id just put the stocker back on. but that said, if the bearing is whats messed up the same problem will happen again. if we replace the bearing and use the 6 puck and the issue continues i'll be kicking myself in the ass for not using the stock clutch, though. haha. im hoping to replace the bearing tomorrow, but im wondering what you guys think is the issue?
Post Merge: 11:51:28 PM / 27-Apr-12 i guess the part in question is called a spigot bushing. it helps provide alignment for the clutch assembly. do you guys think this could be the issue? its one of the last parts left that could be the issue. the one on it likely was the same one that came with the engine. the transmission has been changed, master/slave clutch cylinders.. it would almost make sense. but i find it hard to believe having something out just that tiny little bit would cause such a fuss with the clutch.

[rednucleus]

Is it just the pic or are the edges around the center clutch hole buggered up as well?

[Slim]

thats the part im talking about. the very centre hole has a bronze sleeve in it that is knackered.

[rednucleus]

I mean on the clutch disc itself

[Slim]

oh, i think thats just grease, but ill double check when i go look at it tomorrow haha.

[rednucleus]

Could we also see a pic of the trans shaft please. Wondering if that pilot bushing is so buggered up that it is physically binding on the transmission shaft - anyone think that's even possible - if so, would that feel like his clutch is not disengaging??

[Slim]

i do not have one unfortunatly, and im not with the car right now haha. i diddnt see anything weird, though. no wear.

[cutter67]

if it was me i would replace the pilot bushing get the flywheel refaced and buy a new clutch, pressure plate and throw out bearing and start new. if you are not planning on beating the car to hell and back. the stock clutch set up is fine and will take some beating on it

[Slim]

well all of those parts minus the TO bearing appear to be in great shape. i said screw it, and bought a pilot bushing.



new vs old. the mashed part is what was protruding from the engine. so it was only actually in maybe 1/4 inch? i put it all gogether again and put it in the car today. hopefully i can get it all wired up soon.

[Arro]

Ew. Puck clutch. Terrible for anything other than drag racing or balls-out drifting. After running with a puck clutch on the street I would never do it again.

[Slim]

haha ive never had one, so ill give it a go. may aswell know first hand if i love or hate it.

[Johnny_boi]

i really like mine dd it everyday