Theory about clutch drag

[shockey1013]

So I have been thinking about clutch drag issues due to the fact my buddy is having the problem after he reinstalled his transmission. The torque specs for the PP to Flywheel is 168 inch lbs (14ft lbs). BTW this is for a 2G DSM. Lets say that someone didn't have a torque wrench (bad idea when dealing with moving parts) and estimated what 14ft lbs is. I was thinking that if the pressure plate bolts were too tight then the clutch wouldn't be able to fully disengage. I thought about this while driving home from work tonight, and I searched the common forums for this being an issue and nothing was ever said so I figured I would bring it up. I may be crazy but in my mind it makes sense.

Just thought I would start a conversation. What do you all think?

 

[crimsondragon]

Doesn't make sense to me. The pressure plate is seated onto the flywheel already and has no clearance. Increasing the torque on those bolts just presses the plate harder on the flywheel, puts more stress on the threads, and possibly damage the pressure plate where the bolt is resting on.

Has your buddy checked the step on his flywheel? That's where I would start. After that, check the clutch system for proper engagement and disengagement.

 

[shockey1013]

Yeah but think about when you are initially tightening down the pressure plate bolts. You can see the teeth slowly moving in towards the clutch. Don't you think that if you tighten it too tight, your teeth will go too far in towards clutch plate, and your throw out bearing cant push the the teeth any further due to the fact its too tight.

 

[daren_p]

No Tim is correct, once the bolts are tight, the PP will be seated on the flywheel. Tightening the PP bolts to 40ft/lbs vs 14ft/lbs isn't going to make a difference (other then your likely to snap the bolts at 40 ft/lbs).

Again, as he said, check flywheel step height & clutch pedal adjustment, etc.

 

[shockey1013]

When you press the clutch in, the throwout bearing presses against the teeth and causes the surface on the pressure plate to move away from the engine (closer to the shell of the pressure plate) disengaging the clutch correct? I just figured the more you tighten the bolts, the more the surface of the pressure plate gets pressed.

But after reading what you all said, it does make sense that the pressure plate can only go so far onto the flywheel until it would just be putting more stress on the bolts. Hmm like I said it was just a thought I had.

 

[turboglenn]

I cna saw from experience that it won't make a difference, once the PP is fully seated you're just clamping metal to metal and nothing is moving. I had thought the torque was supposed to be 25ft/lbs one time and did the clutch to those settings and it worked fine for years. Ihad gotten the torque values onthe phone froma guy many many years ago doing my 2600install from the 2100 i smoked and the 25lbs was not causing me and drag like i've experiencedfrom other issues with the pedal and other pieces wearing out over the years

 

[shockey1013]

Yeah it makes sense to me know. Thanks for all the input fellas. It's always good to get others advice with so much experience on this site.

 

[crash89]

Ive never torqued the PP to flywheel bolts. Just snug them down decent. You friends clutch issue is most likely due to the pedal/master cylinder adjustment.