The V8 Owners Forum -

After upgrading to Throttlebodies my clutch couldn't cope with the extra power and started slipping.
Bought a new AP racing clutch and plate and installed it. When I had it all back together the clutch pedal felt good and had more resistance than the old unit.
Started engine but couldn't select a gear. tried starting engine in first with clutch pedal right down but it just wasn't dis engaging. i thought it might be a hydraulics problem so replaced the slave and master cylinders.
Still the same problem. re bled system but when I pressed the pedal this time it stayed down. Took off slave and found that the actuating rod was out of sight in the bell housing ( normally protrudes by about 25mm.)
Took engine and box back out ( a days work ) Split bellhousing from engine and found that the fingers were still pushed right in. loosened off the bolts holding the pressure plate and the fingers didn't move at all. with the pressure plate off the flywheel the fingers are still concave. The friction plate is stuck to the pressure plate but I am reluctant to touch it as if it suddenly springs back it could launch the pressure plate in my face.
I am thinking this is faulty manufacture not cheap @ £400
Obviously i will get on to AP Monday to try and get something sorted.
Anyone had a similar experience. I am sure it was fitted correctly done it loads of times.
I seem to be very unlucky with the quality of new parts.
Cheers
Mark

Is the AP clutch a 7.25" type or a larger type ?

It sounds like the diaphragm has gone way over centre due to too much release movement so be ready to dispute that idea when you ring AP.

However,if it's a single plate type, I don't understand why the plate is stuck to the cover unless it's oversized and jammed in the cover perimeter as the clutch was bolted to the flywheel.

Regards Denis

its a single plate 9.5inch. It has a flat plate connected to where the fingers meet for the release bearing to act against. I am presuming that this plate is making contact with the friction plate somehow. Everything is standard so don't know how the release mechanism could move too far.
Mark

mgbloke wrote:its a single plate 9.5inch. It has a flat plate connected to where the fingers meet for the release bearing to act against. I am presuming that this plate is making contact with the friction plate somehow. Everything is standard so don't know how the release mechanism could move too far.
Mark

Hi Mark,
If on the initial push of the pedal the fingers did not return on release then on the second push of the pedal the fingers would move again the same amount. (Which would be too much).

Does it look like the clutch plate is jammed at it's perimeter into the clutch cover?

Before playing around with it maybe you could install a threaded rod with washers through the centre to control any flying apart.

Thanks Denis,
I have been on to AP racing this morning and they have been excellent. It seems I have the wrong parts.

Cheers

Mark