Internal Clutch Slave - Clutch is Slipping

True- its one of the first mods I did after pulling the ZF the first or second time. Well worth doing.

You could also use M10 Allen head set screws.

On the theme of modifying the rear ZF mounts, these photos show my approach when reassembling 2511.

It is based on the OEM system used on the later 9000 series cars.

Mounts were cut from 3” square tube. Fabricated brackets with back-welded nuts welded and molded into chassis.

Larry

I contacted McLeod customer support and got a better understanding of this hydraulic throwout bearing.  He explained that it is self adjusting (to a point) and when installed dry with .100" clearance, then refilled with fluid, and finally purged of all air in the system then there is never any clutch pedal free play.  If the clutch disc wears more than .100" then the pressure plate may not fully deploy and the clutch could slip.  My car is almost back together and I will find out soon if resetting the dry clearance fixes my problem with clutch slip.  

It looks like this effort is a success.  I took it out for a test drive and could not get the clutch to slip.  I still need to test it on the freeway and plan to do so this weekend when the traffic patterns are different.

Larry - those mounts look very nice !

Marlin Jack - Blow you , now I have to turn all my half shaft bolts around !! Thanks for the heads up. Which way are the outboard ones supposed to go ?

@lf-tp2511 posted:

I would have to say that what is showing in Steve’s photograph is an early version of the McLeod throwout bearing  

My experience started over 20 years ago with the McLeod throwout bearing installed by Dennis in the mid-1990s. My first rebuild went just fine. My second rebuild was difficult  

McLeod customer support is poor, and that is putting it mildly. Their rebuild kit for these bearings has retained the same part number despite being upgraded at least two times. I learned this when I ordered my second rebuild kit and what they sent had no relation to what was currently installed, having previously used  a rebuild kit with the exact same part number. Turns out they had changed the design a little bit but kept the same part number for a rebuild kit. 😳🤷‍♂️ I had to upgrade to a new bearing carrier and the larger bearing.

you’ll find McLeod cannot provide a rebuild kit for the bearing shown in Steve’s photo. He will have to do as I did and upgrade to a newer unit. IIRC they did give me a little bit of credit when I returned the early version

Larry

Larry,

When you went to rebuild your throwout bearing the second time and they sent you the wrong kit, did you contemplate just buying o-rings for the rebuild?  It looks like the kit is comprised of just five o-rings.  My hydraulic throwout bearing is not leaking now but it is 25 years old.  It is working well and adjusted correctly. When the time comes I am hoping to avoid the installation of a brand new setup when I might be able to just replace o-rings.

Thank you, Steve

I don’t doubt that the O-rings could be sourced commercially rather than through McLeod.

Assuming the used O-rings are still intact you could probably determine cross-section and diameter dimensions, and source appropriate replacement O-rings.

I imagine the same could be said for finding a replacement bearing??

I am pretty sure I saved all my old pieces, I could take some measurements and then send them your way if you would like.

now that I think about it I should probably order a replacement bearing and rebuild kit before they again change the design.

Larry

Hi Larry,

It would be helpful to get measurements of your old o-rings and the bearing.  That way I can get the parts to rebuild it ahead of time and minimize down time for the car.

Thanks, Steve

Steve, are you sure that the McLeod hydraulic T/O bearing is compatible with your Centerforce clutch pressure plate? I seem to recall Dennis Quella saying the counterweights had to be removed from the Centerforce PP, in order for the T/O bearing to work properly. That being said, I can see no signs of contact in your photos  but it might be worth a phone call to Dennis.

Hi David,

It has been setup this way since 1995 or so.  I think the setup was provided by Dennis.  The car also has Dennis' radiator (by Ron Davis) along with Dennis' 10 quart aluminum oil pan.  When I first got the car the clutch was very unfriendly and now it is just the opposite.  The clutch was very abrupt and it was easy to stall the car.  I improved it by removing the clutch effort reduction mechanisms (it is now like an early Pantera) and adjusted the McLeod throwout bearing to get rid of clutch slip.  The clutch now requires minimal effort, is very predictable, and readily holds the engine's power.