300 tdt Clutch Issues - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Gordo · #1 08-01-2012, 09:03 AM

I did not see this issue addressed in previous posts...

I have a 300 TDT. I put a manual trany/ flywheel/ Clutch from a 1980 240D in the car and I like the way it drives. My issue is that I have been through 2 clutch discs in 2 years. The springs in the disk break. I have used new Sachs clutch parts. I don't drive too hard and I have had clutches in other cars (old volvo wagon) last 10-15 years.

Has anyone else had this problem? Is there a heavy duty/better clutch I can put in this car?

charmalu · #2 08-01-2012, 10:47 AM

I too had two springs in my clutch Disk break after I did my swap in the 85.

I pulled the transmission out after 22K miles for another problem unrelated to the Disk.

When I was reinstalling the transmission it wouldn`t go back in. the Pilot bearing came out with the transmission and was causing me the problem. removed the clutch assy, and heard a rattle from the Disk. the 2 large springs across from each other had a broken coil. there was also a borken piece of metal in the center part of the Disk.

Called Roy (WHUNTER) and he said he has seen this happen before quite a few times over the years.

I ordered a new one, and was $148

, now I see they are $160

and I thought they were expensive when I bought the first one back in 09.

Charlie

Stevo · #3 08-01-2012, 11:16 AM

I had a clutch disc spring come adrift and knock the slave push rod out of the cup at the end of the T/O bearing lever arm. Mine was probably the original clutch tho. 2 clutch discs in 2 years is not normal ware unless you do ALLOT of driving. Did you have the flywheel resurfaced? New pilot bearing?

Gordo · #4 08-01-2012, 01:12 PM

Fly wheel, pressure plate, Pilot berring look good. Do you know anything about the Beck Arnly product. I am sick of taking this thing apart.

Stretch · #5 08-01-2012, 01:16 PM

Any judder or vibration?

t walgamuth · #6 08-01-2012, 01:36 PM

This could be one of the reasons for the 300's having the 38# flywheels. The heavier fw smooths out the power pulses.

charmalu · #7 08-01-2012, 01:52 PM

I really haven`t read in all the trans 4-spd swap threads of the clutch springs breaking, and I have read a lot of them. the availability of the heavier 617 FW is very rare to locate. It was dumb luck when I stumbled upon mine last Nov.

I `ll have it installed and should have the car back up and running before winter hits again. we`ll see how this new Disk holds up.

Charlie

charmalu · #8 08-01-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Army

Any judder or vibration?

I didn`t have any of that with starting out or shifting between gears, but there is some when getting in 4th gear if the RPM`s drop to about 2700. then shifting into 3rd at 50mph or so and it all goes away. only get it in 4th.

I have the 2:88 differential. with the 3:07 Diff it might be different.

Charlie

charmalu · #9 08-01-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordo

Fly wheel, pressure plate, Pilot berring look good. Do you know anything about the Beck Arnly product. I am sick of taking this thing apart.

I think Beck Arnly is a repackager of various parts suppliers.

Charlie

Stevo · #10 08-01-2012, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gordo

Fly wheel, pressure plate, Pilot berring look good. Do you know anything about the Beck Arnly product. I am sick of taking this thing apart.

Like Charlie said, losing the disc springs is not a symptom with the lighter F/W, I would have it resurfaced, its not much money. They did it at the local Napa parts store for me. It may "look good" but not be.

vstech · #11 08-01-2012, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

I have the 2:88 differential. with the 3:07 Diff it might be different.

Charlie

... perhaps you are loading too much stress on the disc with the ultra tall gear? normal gearing for a manual trans is like 3.48 or 3.69... 2.88 would slip a bunch engaging first from a stop, and bang each gear between shifts...

Gordo · #12 08-01-2012, 04:42 PM

No chatter, or anything I would notice as abnormal... That is up until the springs break and get wedged between the disk and the pressure plate. I am running a 3.07 rear end and do need to use a little extra cluch when starting on a hill. The disk itself is not too warn though.

Markp · #13 08-01-2012, 10:37 PM

Must be due to the lighter 240D FW, not dampening the pulses as well. As mentioned above could be part of the reason for a heavier 5cyl FW.

I have a 4spd in my 82 TD w/ 85 2:88 R end. Recent swap, has been running great, but I will definitely try to avoid that 'buzz' zone lugging 3rd/4th.

I have a new Sachs Clutch, hopefully it holds up for a while since i do not want to tear into it again in the near future!

I doubt it would have anything to do with the R end ratio, this may be harder on the lining but i don't see how it would damage the spring hub, unless of course you are shifting very hard which you probably are not.

The 2:88 in my car is just fine with the 4spd, although reverse is quite fast!

We should start a poll to see how clutch discs have been holding up with this swap.

winmutt · #14 08-01-2012, 10:48 PM

I burned through clutched but never had a problem with the springs. Eventually went with the GD flywheel which is as heavy as the D but a bigger clutch.

I see you have an 85, did you make the pilot hole bigger or make the pilot bearing smaller?

MNBenz · #15 08-01-2012, 10:58 PM

Well I have had no issues with the clutch on my conversion, knock on wood... I do have the heavier FW and I had it machined by a clutch shop before going in. Sorry I don't have any ideas what's going on with yours but maybe my experience adds a little credibility to the heavier FW idea, ?