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Ok, I need someone to help me with alignment. I want to make sure I get it right.
The tool I have feels a bit sloppy in there, and I don't know how to get the throwout bearing to align perfect the way it sits in there.
Can someone with more experiance than I give me some advice and some pointers?
Does you alignment tool have the little metal collar where it goes in the pilot bearing? If not, get one that does. If it does, just keep it centered by hand while snugging the first few pressure plate bolts. After that the disc will be clamped by the pressure plate and won't move. As for the release bearing, don't worry about keeping it centered, just dont let it fall in to the pressure plate. Once you install the gearbox the bearing will slip over the snout of the input shaft and basically align itself. Just slip the release fork onto the bearing and give it a good tug to lock it in place.
Does you alignment tool have the little metal collar where it goes in the pilot bearing? If not, get one that does. If it does, just keep it centered by hand while snugging the first few pressure plate bolts. After that the disc will be clamped by the pressure plate and won't move. As for the release bearing, don't worry about keeping it centered, just dont let it fall in to the pressure plate. Once you install the gearbox the bearing will slip over the snout of the input shaft and basically align itself. Just slip the release fork onto the bearing and give it a good tug to lock it in place.
Agreed.
The throwout is not going to be your problem. If you test fitted the disk over the tranny splines you know how precise the alignment of the teeth need to be. If it's off even a couple mm the shaft of the tranny will just ram into the spline area of the disk and you won't be able to slide the tranny in that last 3/4". I did it without the tool but if I had to do it again I'd get the tool. If you can get your head in there you can do a visual inspection to see if it lines up.
When you slide the tranny in place, if it doesn't go in after just a little "encouragement", as much as you'll want to cry, pull it back and check the alignment. When it's right, it will slide right in.
Tip: If you're installing the tranny until the last 3/4" bit of space left between the tranny case and engine and it just doesnt want to go in, install the clutch fork in its installed position, have someone with a pry bar pry on it to release the pressure while you wiggle/push the tranny in, it'll align it self and slip in.
By the way... You guys all ROCK! I don't think I could get half the stuff done on this car that I do by using all of your assistance and guidance for even HALF the cost it would take me to get it done at a shop. You are all a TREMENDOUS help and I sure appreciate it.
Clutch alignment
