C1 Clutch/Throwout Bearing Question

[Christopher R.]

I'm putting a new clutch in my '62. Bought the Luk RepSet (04-084). Comes with a throwout bearing. My question concerns the throwout bearing, and how it attaches to the fork. Particularly the spring clip on the fork. I know the spring clip goes under the bearing collar.

What's the function of the spring clip? On mine, the spring clip isn't doing anything. It doesn't touch anything. The spring clip is so close to the fork tang that it doesn't touch the underside of the collar on the throwout bearing. Is the spring clip supposed to hold the throwout bearing in place?

The Luk supplied throwout bearing is not like most throwout bearings I've seen in the past. The collar is oval shaped, so that the bearing won't rotate within the fork opening. The throwout bearing is within the tangs of the fork, but it is not held firmly in place by the fork. That's my concern. It looks like the fork will slide the bearing on the transmission collar once I install the transmission. But I was expecting something more definite where the fork captures the bearing. I'm wondering if the spring clip has lost its tension. Is it supposed to contact the underside of the collar of the bearing to hold it firmly in place?

[John H.]

Re: C1 Clutch/Throwout Bearing Question

Chris -

Nothing wrong with the bearing. The KEY issue here is that the "curled" ends of the clutch fork AND the ends of the spring both go INSIDE THE GROOVE on the bearing; this design permits the fork to be assembled wrong (with the curled ends of the fork capturing the flange on the rear of the bearing), which won't permit correct clutch adjustment.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Clutch/Throwout Bearing Question

You are correct, I would bend tangs so that they do make contact with the bearing.That would keep it from vibrating around as your driving.

[Christopher R.]

Re: C1 Clutch/Throwout Bearing Question

I've got both the curled ends of the clutch fork and the 2 ends of the spring inside the groove. My question is that even though the spring is inside, the ends of the spring don't touch anything. I can't figure out what the function of the spring is. Chevy must have put it there for some good reason. I was wondering if my spring was bent. Wondering if maybe the spring should contact the inside of the collar in order to better hold and locate the bearing. In the answer after yours, the poster states it should.

BTW, your article on the removal of a C1 transmission; your recommendation on what clutch to buy; your "U" brace; and, your posts on the "Godzilla" spring have been enormously helpful in this job.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 Clutch/Throwout Bearing Question

To remove any chatter! and yes it should contact collar , like I said if need be bend them so that it will.