6 replies to this topic

[markg54]

Hi, I have a 998 a+ from 1989 with a VERTO clutch

 

My problem is this, when i first got the car the plunger wobbled a bit and it got worse and worse until it the clutch wouldn't work, so i bought a new flywheel housing off ebay, and new plunger, arm and bearing from minispares, i fitted  them, it was nice and snug and worked well. )When i took the arm out and replaced it it had totally worn away the ball at the end of the plunger, so it was really shot.)

 

but 6-8 months later i had the same problem, and i used the same solution thinking i maybe had a bad part somewhere, so i replaced the same bits again

 

Now happening for a third time, so i'm really beginning to wonder whats wrong or what may be specifically wrong with my engine that could cause this? Do i need a new clutch? I was going to take it to a mini garage to see their opinion but i thought i would post here first to see if this was a common problem?

 

 

Thanks,  Mark

 

I can add a picture of the plunger if i work out how, but it look just the same as any other....

[tiger99]

I assume you did apply graphite grease to the plunger and lever? The rate of wear seems to be abnormally high, even with no lubrication, so maybe the plunger was machined badly? The sliding surface obviously needs to be smooth.

I assume it was the clutch cover or "wok" that you replaced. It is possible that something is bent somewhere, possibly the clutch casing, which you should not have had to disturb, which might cause the plunger and thrust bearing to be running off centre against the clutch, making the plunger try to wobble alomg with the engine revs every time the pedal is pressed. The Verto clutch self-adjusts up tight, so there would be a tendency to wobble even when the pedal was not pressed. There may be wear on the face of the thrust bearing and top hat if this is the case.

Apart from that I don't know, as it is not one of the common problems with the Verto clutch.

[markg54]

I had fully greased them up with copper grease when i put the parts in? And the plunger and arm were both new when I replaced them.

 

It was the blotch cover 'wok' which i have replaced as well, so if one was bent/faulty, surely they are all not? And i have not touched the clutch itself, so im not really sure what to do but try taking it to a mini specialist garage?

 

I may take everything out and apart and have a good look at the clutch, the diaphragm and all of it? And if all else fails replace the whole lot, I was just trying to avoid that cost....

[Dan]

  Copper grease is the wrong thing to use here, it should be graphite grease as above.  I can't imagine it would lead to this much wear though.  Wear in the clutch ball is a common problem, but not at this high a rate.

[xrocketengineer]

I don't know but I have always heard that aluminium and graphite are a bad combination for corrosion:

http://www.mechanics..._antiseize.html

[markg54]

Could the flywheel being unbalanced cause this type of vibration and wear?

[tiger99]

I can't comment on graphite grease, but copper grease is NOT a lubricant, it is only an anti-sieze compound for use on bolts etc. It is ok on the likes of brake adjusters, which are only moved infrequently, but not on main moving parts, and not even on controls. I strongly suspect that the copper grease has caused the problem.

If in doubt about greasing something, and no rubber is involved, Castrol LM, as used in all the nipples, wheel bearings etc, is almost always safe to use.