Date:         Tue, 8 Jun 2010 18:27:52 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: More Clutch - felt washer?
Comments: To: kgrotz@CRAFTECH.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

the pilot bearing clutch dust seal fits in the engine side of the flywheel,
and there should be a small metal ring in the center of the flywheel to hold
that dust seal there.

I lube my felt seals with engine oil btw....I don't think they should be put
in dry.
there is some rotation there, relatively speaking.

the metal rings are often missing.
there is a way to use a diesel vanagon pilot bearing with a built in rubber
lip type seal, and a   small mod to the flywheel is needed to do that.

No amount of burning out, or rocking back and forth or spinning wheels
should have any affect on the pilot bearing.
Disc and flywheel yes, but not on the pilot brg.

now holding down the clutch and giving her 4,000 rpm with van in gear but
not moving ...
yes, that will indeed spin the pilot bearing rollers like crazy.

I hope people know the clutch pedal should never be held in for long periods
  or at high rpm for more than necessary.  If you want things to last that
is.
Like sitting at a red light ...clutch should not be held down.
starting the engine ...same thing. Start in neutral cutch pedal up. Only
exception to that is very very cold temps, like zero degrees F ..then you
might start it with the clutch pedal held down so the starter doesn't have
to fight the thick gear oil in the trans.
otherwise, always start in neutral clutch pedal up.

basically, clutch pedal should go down, then up. It's not good for it to
hold the clutch pedal down for very long.
My clutches last indefinitely.
the biggest enemy or weakness is clutch dust in the pilot bearing.
I see pilot bearing rollers wasted all the time ...normal even. Most of the
time the felt seal got left out, and often the metal ring to retain it is
long gone. And it's not a part you can buy new.

and really careful detailed workmanship ...if ever there was a place where
you want that, it's putting the clutch together.

Do good work !

Scott
www.turbovans.com



----- Original Message -----
From: "Kurt Grotz" <kgrotz@CRAFTECH.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 9:38 AM
Subject: More Clutch - felt washer?


> First - thanks as always for input.  I am ready to reinstall new clutch.
> The flywheel actually was ok.  Cleaned to a nice surface and shine very
> easily, so I am just going to put it back together with new clutch. In
> fact the old clutch looks in perfect condition.  It was the pilot bearing
> that got whacked.  I think I did it trying to jerk in and out of the snow
> this winter.  A Syncro would have been nice.
>
> I have one questions before I start and it has to do with teh felt dust
> washer.  Where - or how does that work?  Is that something behind the
> flywheel?  Or does that sit in the bearing seat behind the pilot bearing.
> Which is what I am hoping.