Do I need to shim my pivot ball?

[Cool Mr Steve]

I'm installing an Act 2100 and I believe it is the first clutch job done on the car. Since it is the first time resurfacing the flywheel (I believe that has something to do with it) do I need to shim the pivot ball? If so, can someone tell me what kind of washer I need? I haven't found anything that gives any kind of specifications for what washer I need, and I'd like to just be able to go to Home Depot and pick one up.

 

[TurboChrged93]

I've gotten away with putting a small 1/4" drive socket on my clutch slave cylinder rod. Also ACT 2100

 

[wret]

Most people use one or two 3/8 washers. Total thickness should be between 1 - 1.5mm.

 

[RoasT BeeF]

What makes you think you need to add a washer? Quote from RRE:

"The release bearing arm and the pivot ball will wear over time. Replacing both is one way to deal with the problem. Adding a washer or two under the arm is another way.
When the transmission is first installed in the car and just bolted down to the motor, this is the time to check the wear on the arm and ball. Checking it right that moment will save hours of hassle later! Look at where the arm protrudes out through the square boot on the front lower bell housing. With the arm pushed over towards the passenger side so that the release bearing is just touching the clutch, the arm should be either in the center of the square hole or towards the driver's side of center line.

If the arm is sitting off towards the passenger side, you need to pull the transmission back out and add a washer or two. This gets things back in line. If you don't, the hydraulics in trying to take up all the extra slack, will push the arm over and bottom out on the inner bell housing. If you are fighting clutch adjustment problems on an existing clutch install, get under the car and check this out. If you remove a crossmember to see it better, you can pull off the rubber boot and look in the bell housing with a flash light while an assistant pushes on the clutch pedal. You may see the arm hitting the inner bell housing.

If you are having problems with a clutch adjustment, don't be tempted to try to lengthen the clutch slave cylinder rod. It may work for a few symptoms (worn pedal assembly mostly) but it is not the right way to fix things. In order to take up additional free play, it puts constant pressure on the release bearing."

 

[housegsx]

Well since you machined the flywheel, this will bring the entire clutch assembly closer to the motor. So to make up for that you could put a thin shim on the pivot ball. Just about 1 mm thick. Locktight it down too. I put a new flywheel, clutch, pivot ball, fork in mine and I shimmed the the pivot ball. It works fine for me.

 

[Cool Mr Steve]

Just to let everyone know, I did not shim the pivot ball and it's working out perfectly fine. Thank you for your help.

 

[DSMstatus]

by pivot ball are we talking about the little cup that the slave cyl rod rests in?