New clutch, are splines supposed to be tight???

[tsi1991awd]

So I bought a Fidanza 3.2 and Fidanza flywheel. To make a long story short, the shop put it all in and it wouldn't disengage after doing every adjustment possible, shimming pivot ball, etc. etc. and so they took it apart again and measured the step on the flywheel. It turned out to be .605"! Way out of spec....so they called up Fidanza and sent the clutch disc, pressure plate and flywheel back. Fidanza's going to take a look at everything and see if it's all in spec.

Meanwhile, I called Fidanza yesterday and talked with a guy name Aaron that the guy at the shop talked to. I was asking what all Andre (mechanic) was saying was wrong. He mentioned Andre said the splines on the clutch disc were too tight and that he had to pretty much force it on. Is this normal, for the splines to be tight?? What could be up with that? I would think this could cause a disengagement issue as well, couldn't it?

 

[sschambers]

It shouldn't be so tight to the point of being forced on...It should be tight enough to easily slide on the input shaft, sorta fits like a glove. Although I've always used Mobil 1 full synthetic grease to lube up the splines, like recommended by ACT.

I couldn't see having "tight" splines cause a problem for disengagement, however...The splines are there to interlock with the clutch disc, so the input shaft can spin, transmitting power to the drive wheels. Engagement/disengagement involves the use of the pedal, master/slave cylinders, fork, t/o bearing, pressure plate, and correct step height of flywheel. So yes, if the flywheel was not in spec, this would be the cause of the problem.

 

[silvreclips]

The clutch disc needs to be able to slide on the input shaft smoothly. It shouldn't be loose but you shouldn't have to force it on either. Also be careful when putting greese on the input shaft. If you put to much it could sling off and get on your new clutch making it slip.

 

[tsi1991awd]

Well I talked with Aaron at Fidanza today and he said everything was fine but the disc was warped because the mechanc tried forcing it onto tje shaft. And mechanic said himself he had to force it on. So that was the problem altogether. I feel shafted....unnecessary costs coming out of my pocket for bs. Im heated.

 

[thewombis]

Exactly why I think everyone should learn there own car. I would never let anyone else work on my things... Id rather break it myself so I can hold nothing against anyone else.

 

[tsi1991awd]

I have done all the work to my car except the clutch jb. I dont have the necessary equipment to do it

 

[tsi1991awd]

OK got a new disc from Fidanza...same problem. It wont slide onto the input shaft. Can i file the splines down to get it to slide on? Even one tiny burr would keep it from sliding on....dont know if there are any though.

 

[silvreclips]

I really wouldn't file anything down. Maybe if there was a messed up place on the disc or input shaft. I have never heard of anyone else complaining of this problem so I would say check the input shaft. It might have been damaged when taking the tranny out.

 

[PIMking]

something is wrong. My Fidanza clutch (3.2) that I put on last saturday went on with out a single problem.

 

[jrohner]

I have done all the work to my car except the clutch jb. I dont have the necessary equipment to do it

Like what? A jack (and jack stands or a couple blocks) is all that is needed besides common hand tools, and an impact is always nice.

Maybe the input shaft splines were slightly damaged and that's why the clutch didn't slide on easily. I'd take a file to the edges of the spline.

 

[tsi1991awd]

How far down on the input shaft does the disc sit? Is it at the end nearest to the tranny or is it in the middle or is it at the end right at the flywheel? I know it moves when you release but where does it sit at when everythings bolted up?