24 replies to this topic

[96minimig]

Hello on behalf of a friend I am asking for a bit of help. I have search this forum to see if anyone had similar woes but couldn't find anything.

Basically a friend of mine had a clutch changed on his SPI Mini at a rubbish garage as it took two attempts because they fitted a carb clutch kit instead of injection so it ran like crap. After fitting the right clutch the car runs fine engages the gears and pull away good without slipping.

However the problem is the amount of vibration from engine since its been changed. The engine vibration is present when the car is not moving and just from revving the engine as well as driving the car. It's more apparent around 1500rpm and 3000rpm so the normal driving parameters. I am hoping to have a look and possibly get the clutch out for him but I was wondering if the garage have mis lined the pressure plate to flywheel causing it to be out of balance.

[Rocket.]

I'd check the engine mounts first

[96minimig]

Just to add I have checked the exhaust isn't touching the body, the engine mounts, steadies, and they appear all fine

[96minimig]

It's more of a shudder than a vibration it's a shame cause I took it up the road and it drives great apart from that. It just ruining the driving experience.

[Fast Ivan]

was the assembly balanced before fitting?

[cp2708]

I fitted an AP clutch kit from Minispares in my 998 a few months ago and had massive vibration, noticeable through the rev range, refitted the old clutch cover and the vibration went away. Had the new cover balanced with a secondhand flywheel off eBay, he took a massive chunk out of the new clutch cover as it was so far out of balance.

Something to consider if it was a complete kit.  image.jpeg   67.11K   14 downloads

Edited by cp2708, 13 December 2015 - 08:43 PM.

[96minimig]

No idea if it was balanced. I have done a verto pressure plate and clutch plate before and never had to have it balanced. Would an engineering shop be capable of doing this and is it expensive.

[minidaves]

vertos need to balanced unless replaced as a complete flywheel assembly

[cp2708]

I took it to a place in Surrey, can't remember what it was called now but Novatec in Slough recommended them. He charged me £20 to balance and £20 to lighten the flywheel. It has been fitted now and is fine.

[96minimig]

Ok so forgive my ignorance minidaves if it's just the pressure plate and clutch plate replaced it needs balancing but if it's new flywheel, pressure plate and clutch plate it doesn't?

[cp2708]

The new pressure plate needs balancing with flywheel as it very heavy. Think it says so in the Haynes manual. In my case it was right. I bought the flywheel so I could continue to use the car while I was getting it all done.

[myredmini]

Ive had this before! The clutch pressure plate wasnt located in the dowels. Needed removing and fitting the right way and was fine.

[96minimig]

I did think this myredmini but I thought with the injection pressure plate don't they bolt one way only for the pickup on the crank sensor correct me if I am wrong.

[Stu.]

If it's not right why not just take it back to the garage that undertook the work and explain the problem to see if they can rectify it?

[dklawson]

I would take it back to the garage as suggested.  Explain what is wrong and where in the RPM range the vibration is... and that it was not there before.  I would NOT be confrontational.  Not all pressure plates need balancing and I would bet that they did not include balancing in their quote or the work that was done.  For some charge I'm sure they will agree to remove the clutch components again (possible along with the flywheel) so they can be balanced as a subassembly by a machine shop and then refitted.  You can expect the machine shop to charge you for the balancing itself.  Do not expect the garage to absorb that price.

 

Again, I would not totally fault the garage but I would approach them and be prepared to work with them towards a compromise resolution.