Now, here's a little puzzle. When cold, gear selection is perfect, absolutely smooth and free from any crunches. First goes in silently at rest and neutral can be selected easily when stationary from either first or second. So far so good, now here's the thing, after a few miles everything changes. Neutral can only be selected when rolling and the change becomes progressively more notchy this especially noticeable changing between second and third. My guess is that as the clutch warms up it is not freeing off properly. The clutch is in good condition and it has been fitted with an SRM ally pressure plate and radial release bearing on the push rod. It runs in ATF. I have spent many hours checking the run out to ensure that it lifts cleanly (even resorted to using a dial gauge) and it is always the same thing. Initially everything is fine, until things warm up then the problem returns. Anyone got any suggestions about what could be the cause. I am at a complete loss as to what to do next, and it's getting to the point where I don't get any pleasure from riding it.
I understand ypour problem Trev. My A10 clutch has the same upgrades and I run on ATF yet when it get warm gear changes get notchy and neutral harder to get. I wondered, for want of any other explanation, whether the plates were expanding (getting thicker) with the heat, perhaps caused by a slightly slipping clutch.
In my case this has never been a major issue so I have not bothered to experiment to see if I am correct.
Hi Trev, was it the same before using the ATF an oil change might help,just a thought. Roy
QuoteHi Trev, was it the same before using the ATF an oil change might help,just a thought.
Roy, I have only ever used ATF
QuoteI wondered, for want of any other explanation, whether the plates were expanding (getting thicker) with the heat, perhaps caused by a slightly slipping clutch.
Dean, I cannot say with absolute certainty that the clutch is not slipping but I does not feel like it is. What ever is causing the problem it is heat related, and it is very likely that the plates could be expanding in some way. The thing is why, and how if this is indeed the case. I have toyed with backing the springs off a bit to see if that makes any difference. Just for clarification it's a 4 spring clutch with Surflex plates. I have also tried new springs.
Hi Trev,
I guess that you will have checked that the tangs on the plain and friction plates have been filed back to ensure smooth operation in the basket and on the clutch centre. Age wears grooves and ridges in the basket and the centre so you might also have to make these smoother surfaces on which the plates move in and out. Your plates definitely will be expanding when the engine gets hot but they will expand radially more so than in thickness. Taking a bit of a shave off the tangs of the plates and scraping the basket (wonder where that phrase comes from?) won't affect the clutch operation but it might give the plates more freedom to move and make the clutch less clunky.