I'm going to be re-fitting my freshly rebuilt engine back in my version 3 sti in a weeks time....but am a bit puzzled as to how the clutch release bearing and clutch fork go back together. I know the release bearing goes on the spline coming from the bellhousing on the gearbox, but how does it fit in place and what happens next?

Can someone describe what happens for me?

Cheers.

 

When you remove the engine, the release bearing comes out attached to the clutch pressure plate. You can’t install it like this, so before building the clutch up you have to remove a large circlip type thingy from the clutch assembly. This allows you to remove the bearing, and then put the clip back onto the clutch. The bearing then has to be fitted onto the input shaft, ready engaged with the release fork. As you engage the engine onto the box, the bearing pushes open the clip until it snaps into a groove.

sounds compilcated but once you have looked it will become clear.

 

It is simple.
1
Place the thrust bearing onto the gearbox input shaft, over the spline (I am assuming that the box is still in the car)
2
Slide the release fork into the bell housing with the rubber gaiter and engage the fork into the 2 location tabs on the thrust bearing.
3
Slide the pivot shaft through the bell housing, the fork, and into the locaton hole. Refit the aluminium plug to the gearbox locating the shaft
4
Put the engine back in to the gear box! (what a sweeping statement that ever is)
5
When all in place push the fork lever arm exposed above the bell housing hard to press/engage/click the thrust bearing into place into the clutch pressure plate. Engage all the clutch hydraulics and test the clutch.
6
If all ok, connect up the engine's hoses/electrics etc.
7
Have a cool beer, job done.

Graham
(Sti v3)

 

LOL. both ways sound complicated to me Graham lot easier doing it than writing it down

 

Ho ho! After fighting with it to get the bugger out I know what you mean!!

Thanks for the info guys...all is starting to look clearer now. Can't fit the new engine as I'm waiting on my trusty sidekick to return from holiday to help me...so I've got "kid at christmas" syndrome again. Tsssk....

Cheers,

Bri

 

P1: Too true. Easy when you know the trick!
Bri: getting the engine out/gearbox off for the first time is such a pain...
Nightmares!!

Good luck!

Graham.

 

I was going to drop the downpipe off thinking it may be easier to get the box and engine mated up with this out of the way.....any views on this?

Cheers,

Bri

 

I do that, makes it easy all round and gives more room to vent your frustration when under there
Rather you than me (done it 3 times)
Graham.

 

only 3..............

 

Having clutch problems at the moment and posted on general technical already but I've just found that my clutch release lever is all over the place and the gresed pivot shaft that goes through it can slide in and out of the gearbox quite easily. Shouldn't it be secured by something?

 

silent running - as Graham (911) said, there should be a blanking plug with a hex recess on it (M8 AFAIK) that stops the pivot shaft from coming out. If it is lost then an M18 bolt might suffice until a replacement is purchased.

Russell

 

Thanks for the reply. So the hole is an M18 thread with presumably a slightly smaller smooth bore further down that the pivot shaft bears on? I already posted this on my other thread, but should the pivot shaft be pressed in as far as I can by hand? I was wary of putting it in too far as I can see it would be a bugger to get back out, with the starter motor still in the way.