Triumphrat

HankQ · 04-04-2006

I took my clutch apart again to check something and I was concerned about the placement of the thrust washer. I know that the bronzed face goes outward, but on which side? I neglected to note it when I first took it out and the manual is ambiguous. So does the thrust washer go on the back of the clutch outer drum--toward the clutch center and circular cover--or on the facing side between the outer drum and the inner drum. Also after I torque down the inner drum should there be play on the outer drum if the clutch plates are still out? I know that the inner drum should turn freely. It's just that the outer drum rocks back and forth on the shaft slightly. Thanks, Hank.

DAGAD · 04-04-2006

Hi Hank, no it should not rock. What you have is wear between the rollers and their bearing surface on the clutch basket AND wear on the thrust washer, however only to be expected........ unfortunately!
The thrust washer goes onto the clutch hub with the copper/lead thrust face towards the clutch basket. Steel side to hub.
Because of this rock, you will probably experience the classic Triumph 'slip and drag' together with difficulty engaging neutral at junctions.
Roy.

HankQ · 04-04-2006

Thanks DadGad, so let me get this straight, the thrust washer goes outside of the rollers toward the basket (inner drum?) I had it between the clutch center and the back of the outer drum. Could this be why it rocks? If not will a new thrust washer and rollers rectify it? The clutch worked great before the rebuild. I only took it apart as a matter of recourse for a full engine rebuild. Thanks again, Hank.

GrandPaulZ · 04-04-2006

No, you had it in the right position in sequence. A TINY bit of play is not bad, but if it is sloppy to the point where the basket rocks more than a 1/16" or so, it will be very sloppy clutch response/actuation.

HankQ · 04-04-2006

Okay. Good. The play is not bad. And like I said the clutch worked great before the rebuild. Once again, thank you GPZ. Hank

GrandPaulZ · 04-04-2006

I know some years (newer? I need to look at my parts books) had a replaceable ring inside the clutch basket that could be replaced when it wore down too much.

Also, some of those thrust washers JUST fit a shoulder on the splined hub, others fit VERY loosely, but have retainer "tabs" that slot into two holes in the backplate of the hub to hold the thrust washer (hopefully) inposition while you wrestle with 20 tiny barrels that want to scamper off when you look away just for a second...

DAGAD · 04-05-2006

S**t, that's where those rollers went. Only went to get a beer...............
Yes, GPZ is right, the thrust washer with tabs was replaced with the one thats flat. In practice the tabs snapped off!
Yes some of the roller tracks can be pressed out and a new one pressed in, however I have NEVER seen one of these except already fitted to a clutch basket. Does not mean that they don't exist though.
Roy.

GrandPaulZ · 04-05-2006

In 8 Bonnie/TR6 overhauls, I have now seen 2 of those replaceable clutch basket inner bearing rings. I don't know if those are above average occourances, or what.

Sure enough on the thrust washer tabs, of four or five that had them from new (evidenced by the remaining deformation where they were formed), I've only seen ONE that still had 'em.