Clutch Shaft Questions

Post by **Bazboy** » 25 Mar 2008 12:50 am

Hey guys i think that my clutch shaft may be bent a little, not 100% sure, but sounds like it could be. Vibrating sound when prob spins which can be felt through the car.
Now just a few things i need help with, is there any way of telling if its bent with out physically getting under the car and removing the prop? And if it does turn out to bent how long can i leave it untill it does damage to other parts of the car? Or is it just possible to leave it because it wont do any damage to the car? i ask this because i have been driving the car with the noise and it hasnt seemed to have gotten worse or cause any other problems.
Any help is appreciated.
Dan.

Post by **340GLT** » 25 Mar 2008 01:18 am

TBH i would be very suprised if it is bent. As there is only around a 150mm length the rear side of the bearing and if the centre of the shaft was bent it would make a grinding noise at it would touch the tube inside the bellhousing.
It is possible you have damaged the prop.
Can you descibe the vibration? When it comes in etc?
Adam

Post by **Bazboy** » 25 Mar 2008 01:22 am

well when the prop is spinning it makes a vibrating noise and as u rev the engine and spin the prop faster it gets louder and stronger vibrations, dad said it could be the clutch bearing. I had a prop go before and it didnt sound like this and i have been driving the car for a while with the noise and vibrating and it hasnt gotten worse. If it is a clutch bearing or indeed a clucth shaft what kinda damage could i cause by driving the car as i use it on a regular base.
Also what kinda damages could i have done to the prop which would make this noise?

Post by **foggyjames** » 05 Apr 2008 02:18 am

Adam - surprised doesn't cover it, but for some reason this does appear to be a problem that a number of people have encountered. I think I've still got my bent shaft here somewhere (no sniggering!)

It'll prematurely wear nearby bearings (clutch shaft and box input shaft), and you must be increasing the risk of prop failure (which can happen anyway).

It's about an hour's work if you're a bit handy with a set of spanners. If you want some help, I'm sure Chris C or one of the other Soton guys will help you out for some beer tokens. I think I even have a spare shaft here somewhere. Get it sorted, seriously!

cheers

James

Post by **Bazboy** » 05 Apr 2008 02:26 am

well i need to sort out whether it is the shaft or the bearing before i start planning to do work, is there anyway to find out if it is the bearing? and what would happen if the bearing was to go whilst driving?

Dan.

Post by **Chris_C** » 05 Apr 2008 02:41 am

Dan, drop me a text if you do need a hand, I have a spare shaft if you get desparate, but it's over the water.

Post by **foggyjames** » 05 Apr 2008 02:51 am

I would be very surprised if a bad pilot bearing would create that level of vibration. We've run several cars (although not 300s) without a pilot bearing at all (not usually advisable...depends on what exactly is attached to it!) with no vibration problems.

Bearings don't generally 'go'....they just make noise and vibration, which can accellerate wear in other components.

cheers

James

Post by **Bazboy** » 05 Apr 2008 02:15 pm

Cheers for all ur help guys i will definately get onto it but it wont be till next month when i get some free time, also my mot is up at the end of this month and i have few probs to get sorted like seats and rear suspension.

Dan.

p.s chris thanks for the offer man, i will text you when i get down to it, but like i said it prob wont be untill after i get the car thro its mot.