Topic: How to know when the 4 bolts for the clutch lifter plate are...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

in far enough / tight enough?? None of my 4 manuals are specific other than tighten them. The center will bottom out, which you really can not see, but those 4 aluminum ears with the springs behind them can/will break if you keep going. I have done it before so I know  . What's the general consensus on this?

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Jerry,start all 4 slightly a few threads,then pull plate towards you while spinning it,this will make sure its competely in the splines,then tighten a little at a time,until you get tension on it ,it can fall back out.If done properly the bolts will bottom out like a normal bolt...you'll know! Do each bolt a little at a time,6mm bolt,80-110 inch lbs. Good luck,Bill

[kos]

Yes, they must bottom out and yes you can break the "ears" off if not done carefully.

Mark

[MCRider]

If the 4 aluminum posts are not touching the bottom of the lifter plate, you very likely don't have the hub in the pressure plate so the splines of the hub insert into the notches of the pressure plate.

Many threads on this. Only 1 or 2 ways out of 4 that those 2 pieces can come together.

The tabs/ears of the lifter plate can break regardless. But you implied the posts wre not bottoming out easily on the lifter plate and that indicates to me the misalignment spoken of.

I'm looking for a link.

[MCRider]

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=103856.msg1162166#msg1162166
This may not be your problem. I just know that if the center and the pressure plate are not engaged, and you try to tighten the lifter plate it will break the ears.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Ron,

Thanks for the link. I'm thinking this is one of my DOH moments. You know, late in the day, light not as good, too worried about breaking the ears, working around the 4 bolts 1/4 turns at a time, no torque figures to work with, taking my glasses on and off (old), measuring how far each ear has gone in, etc. Just haven't done this in MANY years but I do remember the first time breaking those damn ears which is why I'm being TOO careful (paranoid). Bill said yesterday they will bottom out then Mark says the same thing. Your response "If the 4 aluminum posts are not touching the bottom of the lifter plate" made me realize how anal I can be. It's all lined up good and the outside disc's tab is maybe 1/4" inside the basket with it all together so I'm good on the assembly to that point. I'm looking inside with the limited view and the low light but what I'm not seeing in my mind or eyes is the posts behind the springs, all I'm seeing is the springs. D O H !! You'd think that having another clutch pack sitting on the bench I'd see WTF! Guess I simply need to carefully keep turning the bolts until the lifter bottoms out on the posts. H E L L O !! I swear in another couple years I may have this thing together lmao. 

Thanks Bill and Mark too. Mental block, brain farc, old age - take your pick 

On to assembling the alternator parts in the alternator cover then installing that. To make this easy (again) for me what's the easy way to get the starter in? Gotta take the cam chain adjuster off? Manuals don't give hints!

Just wait, then it's time to figure out how to reinstall the shifter mechanism! Now I gotta find my "before" picture.   

[Bill/BentON Racing]

Jerry,you sure aren't the first.My ex partner never did get it,so I got all 750 clutch work! He was former A6 crew cheif and AMI grad....!!! Bill